it sort of depends how far you have to swim, but i like heads-up freestyle in surf
Freestyle
Breaststroke
Backstroke
Butterfly
Sidestroke
Other
it sort of depends how far you have to swim, but i like heads-up freestyle in surf
freestyle is easily the fastest and most efficient (and best for riding waves if you are headed to shore). if you tire easily and/or need to get your bearings switch for to breast. never heads up freestyle, if your head is above the water you should be doing breast. being a strong swimmer is a HUGE asset as a surfer when it is thumping and has saved me many a time over the years. it amazes me why more surfers do not swim..
Last edited by 15stwr; Jul 18, 2012 at 09:18 PM.
I've been doing a bit of ocean swimming since its summer, and there's not that much surf.
I find is really difficult... well, at least in Delaware, where the ocean is so murky you can't even see your own arms under water. If your in clearer water, I think that would help a lot.
I tend to do half and half freestyle and breakstroke. Since the ocean is so murky, I tend to feel lost and not sure if I am going in the right direction, so I swap in the break stroke to get me back in focus.
Its a ton more challenging then swimming in a pool. And, if you have any current or chop, its really hard.
you may want to try wearing a pair of fins when open ocean swimming. i find it adds a layer of confidence and flow to combat the chop and current.
http://www.ljrws.com/
See you there. It's a blast. It was a little hairy last year though. We got a killer swell last September.
Freestyle is by far the fastest way to get from point A to point B.
Back in my guarding days, I did very well in open water swimming competitions. However, I definately was not the fastest person if we were competeing in a pool. Some of the keys to efficient ocean water swimming is knowing where you're at, knowing where you're going, and the fastest way to get there using the ocean's currents. Sometimes the current is stronger closer to shore, other times it's further offshore. The use of Rip Currents to get out to sea, and riding waves to come in, etc
Also, a lot of people cant swim freestyle in a straight line, but they don't realize which way they're going because they have little to reference. I see it every time I watch a beach patrol during a training session. Experienced guards swimming 30 degrees in the wrong direction for 30 seconds before they realize they're off course. Or when the guard needs to go in for a rescue, the neglect the sideshore current and enter the water straight in front of the victim instead of entering 60 yards past the victim. This results in much more swimming and costs valuable time if a person is in danger of drowning.
I always bi-lateral breath, and keep my eyes on the beach when I breath to that side, making sure I'm parallel to the beach each time.
Breaststroke has its place. In big surf, it's usually required to keep your bearings straight and if you ever need a breather or go into panic mode, this is the stroke to use.
why do you say that?Originally Posted by 15stwr
its very inefficient and usually slower than a good breast stroke
maybe...but for short sprints i find heads-up freestyle to be way more intense and aggressive while providing better visibility of what's going on around me and further outside - especially when i'm trying to get through a set. but that's just me, i guess.
yeah, they're both useful in the right circumstance i suppose
Reply With Quote
