Ask The Expert
Great Swim July 2010 – Ask the Expert
Expert Advice to Help You Make a Big Splash
The British Gas Great Swim series’ resident outdoor swimming expert provides regular advice to help you negotiate your outdoor swimming training.
This month, he’s taken a look at three key issues raised in the Great Swim Forum and come up with some tremendous advice – why not take a look at the forum (you’ll need to complete the quick registration process but you’ll not only get access to the lively Great Swim online community but also be able to utilise a whole host of brilliant tools to help with your swimming).
Wetsuit advice needed
Stevethroup writes: I have never done any open water swimming and I am looking for some advice on wetsuits. I have got a shorty wetsuit which I have used for wakeboarding. It is thin 2-3mm and has short legs and sleeves. I have swum short distances in it and it is pretty easy to move in. What is the view will it be OK? or should I stump up for a swim specific one? Read the full post
Great Swim Expert replies: First of all I’d try swimming longer distances in your shorty wetsuit. Have you been swimming in the pool or outdoors? Hopefully it fits you fine and you don’t have to get a new wetsuit. I’d have to say that generally shorty wetsuits designed for wakeboarding tend to be ideally suited for swimming longer distances. Make sure there isn’t a constant ‘flush’ through of cold water when you are swimming (a wetsuit should trap a small amount of water next to your skin after it has slowly seeped in). If you have a flow of water through your wetsuit it’s not keeping you warm and is restricting your swimming. Also, your shoulders should not be restricted when swimming – if you’re really happy with your wetsuit when swimming outdoors then you don’t need another one. If you’re not happy, the hire option is a good one to try out a wetsuit and if you like it, then you can pay the difference and keep it if you like it.
What do I do if I get Cramp in the Water?
Bow-swimmer asks: I keep getting cramp in my right foot whilst swimming. Any tips on what I can do about this? See the full post
Great Swim Expert replies: When you think about it, if you’re new to swimming suddenly your feet are taking on the stance of a ballet dancer, pointed straight for long periods of time. Also your feet are probably slightly ‘pigeon’ toed (pointed inwards). This position, especially when suddenly increasing your swimming or effort, can cause cramp. To prevent, start by stretching your calves pre and post swim with heel raises. If cramp sets in then exit the pool and stretch the foot/calf by having your feet approximately two feet from the wall and then leaning into wall, keeping the foot flat on the floor. If you have a sports physio handy, you can sit on the floor legs straight and he/she can apply easy pressure on the up pointed foot. But the leaning against the wall is a similar stretch. Other methods used are eating plenty of bananas for the potassium.
Worried about being too slow
Maxwellhannah30 writes: Have been training since March and had improved my technique and time. The wetsuit has thrown me off a bit as I find it restrictive and tiring, and also can't swim straight so keep resorting to breaststroke to check where I am, both of which are slowing me down! I am wondering if I am going to look ridiculous swimming slowly and will get swum over by everyone. Read the full post
Great Swim Expert replies: There are two issues here. The first has an easy answer - will you look ridiculous swimming slowly? The answer is absolutely not! The Great Swim Series is for all abilities to take part in and enjoy swimming outdoors. We have times from 17 minutes with the elites to just over two hours. In fact, most of our new swimmers come from spectators who go to the event thinking that they could never take part and are so inspired by the mix of abilities that they decide to enter next year. Enjoy your Great Swim, it’s really about participating and enjoying the experience of swimming outdoors. Secondly, feeling too restricted is another matter as wetsuits are tight and can feel hard work to get on. But once you are in them and your arms and legs are fully pulled up around the shoulders and crotch area, swimming will always be slightly restricted compared to not wearing a wetsuit, but it should not be too restrictive. I’d recommend trying out some other wetsuits or look at a different size.