Navigation
IronMike
Northern VirginiaCharter Member
(Can't believe I didn't start this initially...)
Granted, navigation isn't a problem when you have an escort and/or kayaker. But what about when you don't?
I seriously believe I swim about 10% more than the race distance, based solely on how much I have to readdress my line during a swim. Yes, I know I should bilateral swim and that'll solve everything. But even the few races where I maintain bilateral breathing for a while, I still swerve right.
I am hindered now and for the last 3 years of only being able to swim in a pool. I intend to work on navigation once I return to the states and have access to open water. Any ideas, though, on how to work on navigation?
Granted, navigation isn't a problem when you have an escort and/or kayaker. But what about when you don't?
I seriously believe I swim about 10% more than the race distance, based solely on how much I have to readdress my line during a swim. Yes, I know I should bilateral swim and that'll solve everything. But even the few races where I maintain bilateral breathing for a while, I still swerve right.
I am hindered now and for the last 3 years of only being able to swim in a pool. I intend to work on navigation once I return to the states and have access to open water. Any ideas, though, on how to work on navigation?
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
Tagged:
Comments
The best trick is always to have a landmark high above the finish to aim at. Something manmade will be better as you are less likely to mistake it for something else. One round hill often looks like another from 2 cms above the water.
Coasts all look the same from the sea. Channels and coves disappear or are invisible when you look in from a boat so even harder from swimming. Work on raising your eyes to sight without slowing down by raising your whole head, but don't be afraid to stop and look also, as sometimes it's advantageous when everyone is swimming blindly.
Also, you need to work on holding a straight line without sighing every 3 strokes. Pick something near, swim 20 strokes to it, and see how you you deviate. Keep practising so you cna reduce your sighting to every 8/9 or even 20 strokes. Try initially keeping your arms wider on entry to help you aim.
loneswimmer.com
I know I swim "right" and try to aim a little left of landmarks. But for half my swims (Dart, Cyprus, Denmark) landmarks weren't easy to find.
I hope with a sufficiently large enough OW area (1km straightaway?) I will be able to practice swimming straighter.
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
To practice swimming straight, try swimming down the middle of your lane in a pool with your eyes closed (obviously, not when you're sharing the lane with anyone else). Though Mike, this might be less useful in your short pool in Moscow.
Also, be aware of your technique and make sure you're not crossing over the center-line at the front of your stroke. This is a common reason for unintentional "listing."
For the 2nd issue (determining a heading), Donal is right that sighting tall manmade objects and familiarizing oneself with the course map can help. If it's a loop course, focus on the turn angles. Aside from that, it's just a matter of practice, practice, and more practice...
"I never met a shark I didn't like"
http://www.freshpatents.com/Periscope-swim-goggles-dt20070104ptan20070000033.php
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams