The Official NSC swimming thread

[South Stand Bonfire]

Don't know about Prince Regent but 12-2pm at weekends at Wadurs in Shoreham by the Holmbush roundabout is very quiet and they normally they have a couple of lanes up. A bit of a basic pool but serves a purpose.

Also, Splashpoint in Worthing during school holidays at weekends (7-9am ish) is good. Lessons don't take place there in the holidays so the main pool is pretty clear and the diving pool is empty. I went there 3 weeks ago and my 10 year old daughter had the diving pool to herself. Worth bearing in mind when school holidays start.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Anybody know the ultimate quiet period, if indeed there is such a thing, for the Prince Regent? I've tried 7.30am but that's full of gung-ho poor-technique lane-thrashers who direct a veritable tsunami towards the lanes either side of them. Where's the sweet spot in the day when the pool is near-enough empty?

This is the biggest problem of any pool. It's a complete pain in the hoop as it's too crowded whatever time of day. I get round this in winter by capitalism - that is paying shit loads for a gym membership whereby I only really use the pool.

In summer open water is the way forward. The hardest problem with that is starting.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

This is the biggest problem of any pool. It's a complete pain in the hoop as it's too crowded whatever time of day. I get round this in winter by capitalism - that is paying shit loads for a gym membership whereby I only really use the pool.

In summer open water is the way forward. The hardest problem with that is starting.

Good point, well made. I'm a member of Withdean gym so I get free swimming thrown in at the Prince Regent, but I'm thinking an off-peak day pass at a swanky business hotel with a decent pool may be the way forward.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

This is the biggest problem of any pool. It's a complete pain in the hoop as it's too crowded whatever time of day. I get round this in winter by capitalism - that is paying shit loads for a gym membership whereby I only really use the pool.

In summer open water is the way forward. The hardest problem with that is starting.

It is a problem and the lanes can sometimes make it worse - constantly over taking is a pain.

The worst is an old fella at the Christchurch pool who turns up and does breast stroke widths! I pole-axed him once and he seemed fairly oblivious.

 

[Stat Brother]

Careful Stat, you're creeping into the multisport that dare not speak it's name! .

I don't see there being much call for a 500m swim followed by a 100 mile bike ride, with ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING between disciplines.


I guess I'm lucky my local pool is Littlehampton, which is just a pool.
Today from 4:30 to 5 I had the big boys lanes to myself while the kids had their lessons on one side and the other half of the pool was just general use.

Doing a few lengths certainly beats sitting at the side, looking at my phone.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

It is a problem and the lanes can sometimes make it worse - constantly over taking is a pain.

The worst is an old fella at the Christchurch pool who turns up and does breast stroke widths! I pole-axed him once and he seemed fairly oblivious.

Pool management is the issue. A properly laned pool, properly lifeguarded whereby old man has the errors of his ways pointed out is better for everyone. Unfortunately, the norm is a free for all.

The old dears who moan when their hair gets wet are the worst. Who goes in a pool but doesn't want to get wet?

 

[ShandyH]

I don't see there being much call for a 500m swim followed by a 100 mile bike ride, with ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING between disciplines.


I guess I'm lucky my local pool is Littlehampton, which is just a pool.
Today from 4:30 to 5 I had the big boys lanes to myself while the kids had their lessons on one side and the other half of the pool was just general use.

Doing a few lengths certainly beats sitting at the side, looking at my phone.

I haven't posted on here for ages but love my swimming. I swim maybe two or three times a week and have done probably for about 15 years mainly because of a dodgy knee that has subsequently got better through cycling. I am now a lot better than I was even 3 years ago from doing lots of drills. They make you look like a dick to start with but are amazing for feel, technique and speed. Requires a decent level of fitness which, as a cyclist you must have, but I'll give you a couple of pointers:

Imagine a plain bisecting you up the middle (left/right) - do not under any circumstances cross this plain with your hands when doing crawl - that causes twisting and wasted energy. Imagine your hands going in at 10:10 on the clockface. Bet you're twisting at the moment.
Keep your @rse up - good core strength - will stop your feet dragging
Punch your hands in at about 30 degrees when they enter the water, don't place - means faster turnover

That should be plenty for starters!

Don't worry about 2 freestyle and 2 breastroke, swim fitness will come. It's completely different from cycling. I started doing 1 freestyle and 2 breastroke years ago and now do about 2 miles in 50 mins. Just work up gently. 2:2, 3:2, 3:1.......

Finally I would recommend a couple of lessons. Makes a huge difference. Consider it like a bike fitting.

Hope that helps!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

The old dears who moan when their hair gets wet are the worst. Who goes in a pool but doesn't want to get wet?

Simple rule of thumb is never get in a pool full of old dears with the cauliflower hair. They hold coffee-morning natters mid-pool and for some reason assume that is a normal thing to do.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Simple rule of thumb is never get in a pool full of old dears with the cauliflower hair. They hold coffee-morning natters mid-pool and for some reason assume that is a normal thing to do.

Part of the problem of the capitalism solution is that the clientele is people that have a high disposable income especially in the lunchtime bracket. 60+ old dears can feature highly. Sometimes they just need to be re - educated.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Part of the problem of the capitalism solution is that the clientele is people that have a high disposable income especially in the lunchtime bracket. 60+ old dears can feature highly. Sometimes they just need to be re - educated.

Well, I guess the old dears have earned their right. more than most, to have a mid-pool coffee morning natter, and fair play to them for keeping up at least some sort of exercise regime, and I'd be loathe to begrudge them that. Just need to know how best to avoid them along with such other annoyances as the lane Nazis with the poor technique.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Well, I guess the old dears have earned their right. more than most, to have a mid-pool coffee morning natter, and fair play to them for keeping up at least some sort of exercise regime, and I'd be loathe to begrudge them that. Just need to know how best to avoid them along with such other annoyances as the lane Nazis with the poor technique.

Trial and error at the swanky pool is my advice. Don't get tied into a lengthy contract. Swimmers tend to stick to regular time slots. Avoid anything immediately before or after aqua aerobics. Very early or very late tends to get the serious swimmer trying to find quiet time.

Going back to an earlier point well managed pools do a good job of accommodating everyone which is what it's about. If you are swimming the channel or trying to lose a couple of pounds a good pool will accommodate the full spectrum. Unfortunately, most pools are run badly hence the trial and error comment.

 

[Stat Brother]

Imagine a plain bisecting you up the middle (left/right) - do not under any circumstances cross this plain with your hands when doing crawl - that causes twisting and wasted energy. Imagine your hands going in at 10:10 on the clockface. Bet you're twisting at the moment.
Keep your @rse up - good core strength - will stop your feet dragging
Punch your hands in at about 30 degrees when they enter the water, don't place - means faster turnover.

Finally I would recommend a couple of lessons. Makes a huge difference. Consider it like a bike fitting.

Hope that helps!

This is all great stuff, it's a shame that by the time I've reminded myself of all the advise on this thread, it'll be time to leave.

I'd be surprised if I'm twisting and crossing my arms, I imagine my freestyle to be more of a 'windmill' stroke, esp when I drag my hand across the bottom of the shallow end. Every time I do that I think 'that can't be good'.

I know I definitely drag my legs, my puny cyclist arms can't pull them, and my belly, through the water quick enough.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

This is all great stuff, it's a shame that by the time I've reminded myself of all the advise on this thread, it'll be time to leave.

I'd be surprised if I'm twisting and crossing my arms, I imagine my freestyle to be more of a 'windmill' stroke, esp when I drag my hand across the bottom of the shallow end. Every time I do that I think 'that can't be good'.

I know I definitely drag my legs, my puny cyclist arms can't pull them, and my belly, through the water quick enough.

Use a pull buoy to keep your legs afloat and concentrate on your arms.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

I run adult (and child) lessons in the Hastings, Bexhill and Battle area and more than happy to throw a deal at someone if they mention NSC. Won't post more incase it turns into an advert which I expect is frowned upon but sure people can PM if they want.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Oops.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

I have been swimming regular for over 10 years and still feel I am pretty crap at it. There is so much technique (some of which continues to change) that as quick as I feel I am getting better it all goes downhill. Small changes to body position and stroke can have large impact on how you move in the water.

My advice would be to get some lessons and then work on what you are taught. Most swimming technique taught is front crawl. Even though I could already swim I started with beginners lessons at a local swimming pool for initial technique. In Brighton I also joined the pool2pier program and then technique and general fitness from swimmergy (although both have a slant towards open water swimming) . If you join a Tri club they will usually offer coached Swim lessons quite cheaply and will usually have some very good swimmers as tutors.

There are lots of exercises that can improve your stroke from Catch up, pull buoys and pyramid sets but you really need a swimming tutor to look at your stroke and work with you to start with. It can eventually feel actually pleasant and fun although still annoys me when someone effortlessly passes me while I feel I am working flat out.

 

[Jesus Gul]

6.30 am King Alfred posse. 3 mornings a week

 

[nwgull]

I have been swimming regular for over 10 years and still feel I am pretty crap at it. There is so much technique (some of which continues to change) that as quick as I feel I am getting better it all goes downhill. Small changes to body position and stroke can have large impact on how you move in the water.

My advice would be to get some lessons and then work on what you are taught. Most swimming technique taught is front crawl. Even though I could already swim I started with beginners lessons at a local swimming pool for initial technique. In Brighton I also joined the pool2pier program and then technique and general fitness from swimmergy (although both have a slant towards open water swimming) . If you join a Tri club they will usually offer coached Swim lessons quite cheaply and will usually have some very good swimmers as tutors.

There are lots of exercises that can improve your stroke from Catch up, pull buoys and pyramid sets but you really need a swimming tutor to look at your stroke and work with you to start with. It can eventually feel actually pleasant and fun although still annoys me when someone effortlessly passes me while I feel I am working flat out.

Have you tried the Total Immersion books/DVD and the tekkers it teaches? I had been swimming for about 2 years, and had completed 750 swims within sprint Tris, but would've been too knackered to swim much further (especially without a wet suit), mainly because I had to kick my legs frantically to stop them sinking. After giving TI a go for only about 2 months my front crawl was far more relaxed, and I now manage to keep a horizontal position with a much easier 2 beat kick, which enables me to come out of the water in a 1500m swim with far more energy.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

Have you tried the Total Immersion books/DVD and the tekkers it teaches? I had been swimming for about 2 years, and had completed 750 swims within sprint Tris, but would've been too knackered to swim much further (especially without a wet suit), mainly because I had to kick my legs frantically to stop them sinking. After giving TI a go for only about 2 months my front crawl was far more relaxed, and I now manage to keep a horizontal position with a much easier 2 beat kick, which enables me to come out of the water in a 1500m swim with far more energy.

Can't beat a bit of Tekkers so I will check it out, thanks. The lessons I went to were all into swimsmooth, is it similar? I also have the annoying sinking leg, why do I end of upright when I stop kicking issue.

 

[Ernest]

I love it, in the pool 7am 4/5 mornings a week, hardly any cost, just an old pair of football shorts and a towel. I ignore all the olympic swimmers whooshing up and down and just concentrate on my own pace and rhythm.

No need to complicate things, just keep to your own pace and energy and everything's fine for me.