Swimming in a shallow pool

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2011-01-10 10:25 PM

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Subject: Swimming in a shallow pool
It's driving me crazy!  The pool I'm currently swimming in is 3.5 feet deep all the way across.  I've yet to manage a flip turn (no desire to get into that debate...I like to do them and it works for my swimming) and it's interrupting my sets. Any hints for turning in shallow water?

2011-01-10 10:30 PM
in reply to: #3291567

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Coach
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
nerdjock - 2011-01-10 9:25 PM

It's driving me crazy!  The pool I'm currently swimming in is 3.5 feet deep all the way across.  I've yet to manage a flip turn (no desire to get into that debate...I like to do them and it works for my swimming) and it's interrupting my sets. Any hints for turning in shallow water?


grab the wall lightly, bring the knees to nose quicklcy in a tight tuck, place your free hand behind your ear as if you are answering the phone, plant feet and push off in a streamline bringing the wall hand to meet the other behind your head as they extend into a streamline alongside your head.

Tight quick tuck...good ab move. just remeber knees to nose
2011-01-10 10:38 PM
in reply to: #3291567

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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
tuck tighter, faster, push off gently and shallow.  3.5' should be plenty of water.
2011-01-10 10:49 PM
in reply to: #3291567

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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I had to swim in this for a month I didn't like it either.  Bad for flip turns and generally just not conducive to swimming fast.  Mental thing--but I know where you're coming from
2011-01-11 4:24 AM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
Wear your bike helmet.
2011-01-11 5:41 AM
in reply to: #3291567

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
When I flip in the shallow end  I kind of tuck to the side instead of over the top. I glide in and pull my knees up but push my hips to the side...not sure I am explaining this right. but kind of like doing a "U" turn in the water instead of a flip. I flip normal at the deep end. It works for me..I am worried about hitting my head and this avoids that problem.

2011-01-11 9:15 AM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
What do you mean "yet to manage"? Do you just not do it because of fear? Have you tried and hit bottom? That's about the depth of the pool at LA Fitness and I've never even thought about it. I just do them. Tight tuck, quick spin, and just go for it!
2011-01-11 10:07 AM
in reply to: #3291683

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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
TriMyBest - 2011-01-11 4:24 AM Wear your bike helmet.


You just totally gave away my secret to a fast T1!
2011-01-11 10:16 AM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I taught myself flip turns in 3.5' of water and it hasn't been a problem for me. Actually, I do better flip turns in the shallow end because I seem to regularly misjudge and kick off too deep so that I'm gasping for air by the time I hit the surface. I guess it's a good thing I don't have to do flip turns in my lake swims.
2011-01-11 11:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool

Nerdjock, you don't look 8' tall in your picture.  Laughing

I'm with MrBrad.  That's not much difference from the pools at LA Fitness clubs.  I've never had a problem.  I just swim and turn.

I think it's much scarier the first time you go off a starting block into a shallow pool.

2011-01-11 12:00 PM
in reply to: #3292571

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool

I guess I'm a bit at a loss too.  I'm 6'7" and one end of my pool has to be at LEAST that shallow.  Maybe even less?  It's so shallow, that at times if I fail to bend my elbow, my fingers hit the bottom of the pool...

I just to a tight tuck like I always do and never had a problem.

2011-01-11 12:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
Thanks for the replies everyone.  I learned to do flip turns in a deep pool and I'm probably just being a wuss.  I'm afraid of hitting my head.  Off to the pool tonight to practice and avoid head injuries.
2011-01-11 12:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
nerdjock - 2011-01-10 10:25 PM It's driving me crazy!  The pool I'm currently swimming in is 3.5 feet deep all the way across.  I've yet to manage a flip turn (no desire to get into that debate...I like to do them and it works for my swimming) and it's interrupting my sets. Any hints for turning in shallow water?


3.5 feet is plenty deep enough for a flip turn.  The pool I swam in in Iraq was shallower than that...it was 0.9m and I did flip turns all the time...
2011-01-11 12:23 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I have messy, ugly turns and I've never banged my head.  If my turns go awry, my hands hit bottom. (Or wall, or rope, or....) 
Now, backstroke, well that's a different story altogether.

Be cautious, but you should be able to do it okay and get into rhythm with it.

-eric 
2011-01-11 12:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I've had to flip-tunr in 3 1/2 feet of water before.  Never hit my head...but sometimes hit my butt or hip in the process.  Yea, it's more more like a somersault.  You should be fine...ne head protection required.
2011-01-11 1:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
AdventureBear - 2011-01-10 10:30 PM

nerdjock - 2011-01-10 9:25 PM

It's driving me crazy!  The pool I'm currently swimming in is 3.5 feet deep all the way across.  I've yet to manage a flip turn (no desire to get into that debate...I like to do them and it works for my swimming) and it's interrupting my sets. Any hints for turning in shallow water?


grab the wall lightly, bring the knees to nose quicklcy in a tight tuck, place your free hand behind your ear as if you are answering the phone, plant feet and push off in a streamline bringing the wall hand to meet the other behind your head as they extend into a streamline alongside your head.

Tight quick tuck...good ab move. just remeber knees to nose


Yep, do that. It's basically a breast stroke competition turn.

Otherwise, if you scrunch up sideways in a flip turn, you can flip in really shallow water. Takes some skill though.



2011-01-11 1:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I just quit a gym because of the pool. It was shallow, 3.5' from end to end, and way too warm.  But I was able to make flip turns and I'm 6'4".  You just gotta tuck really tight as you roll, and make sure when you push off you're pushing towards the surface, or you're going to rake your back along the bottom.  Done it a few times. But, since i'm as tall as i am and able to do it, it's certainly doable.
2011-01-12 4:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I thought of you during my swim today. Swam at a local health club that used to be a hotel. They converted the pool into a fitness pool. Short, shallow and way too hot (90 degrees). I did not even attempt a flip turn. Kept seeing myself smashing my face on the little step that ran all the way around the edge. Plus I did not think the little old ladies doing aerobics would appreciate the splash. I didn't want to be the one to make their hair wet!

2011-01-12 4:43 PM
in reply to: #3295638

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
I know I posted earlier...

But looked today  3' at the shallow end and that's if the pool is all the way full?  Flipped all day (again, 6'7" here).  I may get a little nervous if it was much shallower.
2011-01-12 4:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
TriMyBest - 2011-01-11 2:24 AM Wear your bike helmet.


Full Face!


(this one made me chuckle out loud)
2011-01-12 5:22 PM
in reply to: #3295638

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Subject: RE: Swimming in a shallow pool
trigal38 - 2011-01-12 2:18 PM I thought of you during my swim today. Swam at a local health club that used to be a hotel. They converted the pool into a fitness pool. Short, shallow and way too hot (90 degrees). I did not even attempt a flip turn. Kept seeing myself smashing my face on the little step that ran all the way around the edge. Plus I did not think the little old ladies doing aerobics would appreciate the splash. I didn't want to be the one to make their hair wet!



Ha!  Thanks Laughing  The paranoia gets to you, doesn't it?

Yes, I did flip turns in the pool today.  I am a weenie and need to HTFU.  My flip turns were not graceful, but they did the trick.  Thanks for the advice, everyone! 

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