The great fish moved silently through the night water....

[TripletDaddy]

I have decided to attempt swimming as a hobby. I am basically starting from scratch on this. I would consider myself a strong "social" swimmer......in the pool, messing around in the ocean, etc. I have always loved the water, I feel at ease in the water, and have developed a bit of an instinct with currents and tide as a result of my time on a board.

Unfortunately, I have no exposure to disciplined swimming....monitoring form, distance, time, etc...I have very little endurance built up, and I have already noticed that the lung capacity required for swimming is vastly different than the lung capacity required for using machines.

I must admit that as a result of all you cycle-sexuals on CUF, my curiosity for road biking has increased exponentially. While I am not quite ready to commit to that yet (emphasis on "yet"....I am thinking about suggesting that my wife and I give up swinging and take up cycling as a couples hobby), I think that swimming will be a logical extension of my love for the water and my desire to be healthy.

I have access to a lap pool....5:30AM to 11PM every day, so I have the ability to dive in (no pun intended) right away. I want to start out with simple goals....maybe hit the pool 3 times a week for 20 minutes at a clip. I know that is basically nothing for some of you folks here, but I don't know what I am doing yet and don't want to be unrealistic about the challenge that lies ahead.

I am not really training for any specific event, so my ultimate goal is actually pretty nebulous. I am simply looking for a fun new way to exercise and since swimming is low-impact, it sounds like the right gig for me. It also wouldn't hurt to have a physique like Michael Phelps....whereas right now, my physique is likely more akin to W.W. Phelps...

A couple of general questions for those of you that have some swimming acumen....or for those that also would like to learn to swim, feel free to jump in with questions, as well. I am not sure if this is to be the de facto swimming thread on CUF, but since I am a neophyte, I would welcome any and all swimming-related input, good or bad...

1. I would like to pick up a pair of goggles. Any recommendations? The $2 plastic Target specials might be a little low-quality. I don't mind investing in equipment that works, but since I am still beginning here, not sure I am ready to drop AmEx Black card cash on a new pair just yet. What is a good entry-level goggle? Anything I should consider when buying a pair? I've seen some folks at the pool with those reflective-mirrored looking goggles. Those look pretty cool but I don't have the game to back up that equipment just yet.

2. So far I am just using my boardshorts. I have had few problems. But in my brief experience, I have already reaffirmed that boardshorts are meant for board riding (ie, standing), not swimming for an extended period of time. The area right around where you tie off your boardshorts continually rubs against the lower belly area and after swimming laps for 15 minutes, it gets very annoying. Also, I wear my boardshorts a little loose, so I find myself pulling them back up every other lap. Again, annoying. Since I am not ready for a LAZR, is there something in between that might work? I have seen some folks wearing what looks like wetsuit material, but it is only the bottom half. They are basically like wetsuit shorts. Is this a good route?

3. What are some appropriate stretch goals for a beginner? Right now I try to swim most of my laps freestyle, but I get tired, so I switch to backstroke (a cheating one, at that) so I can rest a bit. Also, the butterfly stroke is ridiculously hard over the course of an entire lap. I have yet to do an entire vigorous lap there and back doing a proper butterfly without tiring out. Ouch! I am looking forward to getting to the point where I can do that, but it will take some practice. How much training before I should be able to swim 1/4 efficiently?

4. Are you pro or anti swim cap? I am not going for time here, so that isn't a concern for me.

Any other thoughts or suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

[Slim]

You want to look like a swimmer? Here is a conversation I had with the pie chick at Merrie Callender's a few days ago:

Pie Chick: "You look like a swimmer. Are you a swimmer?"
Me: "No... I'm not actually"
Pie Chick: "Oh... Well you look like one. Because of your shoulders"

My workout goals aren't really to look like a swimmer so I didn't know whether to feel insulted or not.

Good luck with the swimming thing though. I don't really have anything to add except that I hope it works out for you. I rarely hear of anyone being able to stick to a consistent swimming workout routine (I think people just don't like to be wet or in a bathing suit or both) so hopefully your ocean affinity will negate those factors.

[RC Vikings]

Steel would be the expert here. All I know about it is keep your feet high, your head low and roll your shoulders.

[Babs]

googles: skip the old-school design with the adjustable nosepiece and go for a molded unit. You should be able to get a good pair of speedos for fifteen bucks at Target, though Target may have already gotten rid of them for the year. You'll have to try the different models to see which fits your face best. Just push the googles up to your eyes (without using the strap), if there's a suction and they feel secure, they should work.

shorts: As you already noted, you need to ditch the tie-front board shorts. You could get a set of speedo jammers if you're wanting to shell out some dough or if it's important to you to adopt the serious swimmer look. But for your purposes you could just pick up a pair of Nike swim or speedo swim trunks. This time of year they should be clearanced for about ten dollars at Kohls.

cap: skip it.

[TripletDaddy]

googles: skip the old-school design with the adjustable nosepiece and go for a molded unit. You should be able to get a good pair of speedos for fifteen bucks at Target, though Target may have already gotten rid of them for the year. You'll have to try the different models to see which fits your face best. Just push the googles up to your eyes (without using the strap), if there's a suction and they feel secure, they should work.

shorts: As you already noted, you need to ditch the tie-front board shorts. You could get a set of speedo jammers if you're wanting to shell out some dough or if it's important to you to adopt the serious swimmer look. But for your purposes you could just pick up a pair of Nike swim or speedo swim trunks. This time of year they should be clearanced for about ten dollars at Kohls.

cap: skip it.

There is a kohl's about 3 blocks from my house! I will check that out this evening.

When you say "swim trunks," are you talking about the things that old guys and people from the Midwest wear in the water? Those shorts that have a mesh lining, a curious coin pocket, and an elastic waist? I haven't worn a pair of "trunks" since elementary school, I think.

The only thing I remember about wearing trunks was that when you walked into the pool, there would always be this huge air bubble in the front and back of your shorts as you slowly descended into the water. The mesh lining always gave me the heebs.

[SteelBlue]

1. I would like to pick up a pair of goggles. Any recommendations? The $2 plastic Target specials might be a little low-quality. I don't mind investing in equipment that works, but since I am still beginning here, not sure I am ready to drop AmEx Black card cash on a new pair just yet. What is a good entry-level goggle? Anything I should consider when buying a pair? I've seen some folks at the pool with those reflective-mirrored looking goggles. Those look pretty cool but I don't have the game to back up that equipment just yet.

You can get a great pair of goggles for under $20 at any sporting goods store. Costco often sells a Speedo 3 pack for very cheap. Stick with Tyr or Speedo they know what they're doing. Make sure the eyepiece has the spongy plastic and not the foam. Foam will leak.

2. So far I am just using my boardshorts. I have had few problems. But in my brief experience, I have already reaffirmed that boardshorts are meant for board riding (ie, standing), not swimming for an extended period of time. The area right around where you tie off your boardshorts continually rubs against the lower belly area and after swimming laps for 15 minutes, it gets very annoying. Also, I wear my boardshorts a little loose, so I find myself pulling them back up every other lap. Again, annoying. Since I am not ready for a LAZR, is there something in between that might work? I have seen some folks wearing what looks like wetsuit material, but it is only the bottom half. They are basically like wetsuit shorts. Is this a good route?

You want a pair of Jammers. Again, any sporting goods store will carry them. No need to go expensive at all, you can get a good pair for $25-30 if you watch for sales. Speedo and Tyr are the most common brands. The other option is a Speedo brief but you have to be pretty damned confident to roll in one of those.

3. What are some appropriate stretch goals for a beginner? Right now I try to swim most of my laps freestyle, but I get tired, so I switch to backstroke (a cheating one, at that) so I can rest a bit. Also, the butterfly stroke is ridiculously hard over the course of an entire lap. I have yet to do an entire vigorous lap there and back doing a proper butterfly without tiring out. Ouch! I am looking forward to getting to the point where I can do that, but it will take some practice. How much training before I should be able to swim 1/4 efficiently?

This is a question for Archaea. Take what he says to do and then cut it in half because he's ridiculously hard on himself. Seriously though, my best advice to you is to find your local year round swim team. In your area there are tons of established teams with excellent coaches. Each of these teams has what they call a "Master's" program where you pay a monthly fee to swim laps under the watchful eye of one of the team's coaches. I am on the board of our year round team and we have a very hardy group of Masters. Many are just like you. They wanted a new fitness activity and wanted a little bit of coaching to get started. You would only have to pay about $30/month and that is a bargain for the coaching advice you'd receive, especially when it comes to strokes like the fly and breast. Once you felt like you got the coaching you needed you could move on. I consider it's probably some of the cheapest quality coaching money can buy. Almost any year round team offers it because it's a good income generator.

4. Are you pro or anti swim cap? I am not going for time here, so that isn't a concern for me.

Men tend to wear caps only when racing.

[RC Vikings]

http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/5086.htm

Buy the Jammers. Just a word of caution these seem to wear out rather quickly and you can expose your butt crack if you wait to long.

[Babs]

There is a kohl's about 3 blocks from my house! I will check that out this evening.

When you say "swim trunks," are you talking about the things that old guys and people from the Midwest wear in the water?

Sort of. But the ones by Nike (etc) look more like boardshorts, but they're intended for swimming instead of just for show.

[TripletDaddy]

thanks everyone for the tips. For whatever reason, I assume those jammers cost around $150. I am seeing some very inexpensive entry models on the web.

Also, Steel, I like your idea about the coaching. I want to give it a try on my own for a couple of months, if anything to simply build a little endurance. Then, if it looks like something I am enjoying, look into gaining some coaching. Would you agree with this approach or is it better to jump in right away with coaching?

[SteelBlue]

I know you're in OC somewhere. Here's an example of a "local" club.

http://www.pacificcoastaquatics.org/

Look about halfway down the page under the heading Masters. Sounds like they have a huge program ranging from beginners to former Olympians. You OC folks have everything.

[Babs]

This is a question for Archaea.

You hear that, Arch?

Perhaps if we post really bad advice for TD we can smoke Arch out.

[falafel]

but they're intended for swimming instead of just for show.

You mean just for "standing."

[SteelBlue]

thanks everyone for the tips. For whatever reason, I assume those jammers cost around $150. I am seeing some very inexpensive entry models on the web.

Also, Steel, I like your idea about the coaching. I want to give it a try on my own for a couple of months, if anything to simply build a little endurance. Then, if it looks like something I am enjoying, look into gaining some coaching. Would you agree with this approach or is it better to jump in right away with coaching?

The $150 suits are technical suits that are only good for 10 or so swims. You shouldn't ever have to spend much more than $30 on jammers.

I'm not really a good swimmer. I'm coming at you from the perspective of a swim parent. I've purchased a ridiculous amount of equipment over the years and I've had the opportunity to speak with a lot of Masters swimmers. If you want to correctly learn the fly, back and breast (and rotating between these strokes seems to be a key to staying injury free) coaching could be invaluable. If I ever decide to make swimming MY thing I will be going the coaching route for a little while at least.

[Babs]

The $150 suits are technical suits that are only good for 10 or so swims. ....

Steel, how long have you had that user title? That's hilarious.

[SteelBlue]

You hear that, Arch?

Perhaps if we post really bad advice for TD we can smoke Arch out.

The best advice I gave was to cut in half whatever workout distance he recommends. That guy is a beast.