swimming

[ScubaGir1]

Yes, no matter how long its been since you've swam competively, it never leaves your system. I swam competitely for 13 years and I love it. I highly recommend getting more comfortable in the water...just takes some quality time in the pool.

[Lulubelle]

Most US pools are 25 yards or 50 yards. My brother had to do some pretty significant adjustments to his best event (50M freestyle) when he made the change to the big leagues. Going from 50yards to 50meters changed his time from 19 secs to 21 secs (plus whatever crazy fraction they can now capture)

Agreed with advice to get swimming lessons Vlane. Even strong and experienced swimmers often get help with their stroke. I also agree that it is not your height/weight that is the issue. The best swimmers tend to be skinny, skinny. Fit yes, but thin. But you don't need to be a speed demon with your swimming, just strong and confident. I don't swim terribly fast, but I can power through any current pretty much. Good luck.

[db83]

I too am a weak swimmer. My legs sink and also, let's just say I cause more drag in the water than most. Maybe it's lack of technique, but I think the problem is my breathing technique. I find myself not able to get into rhythm so that I can breathe normally so holding my breath, and then trying to breathe in a lot of air quickly causes me to become exhausted quickly.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by db83

I too am a weak swimmer. My legs sink and also, let's just say I cause more drag in the water than most. Maybe it's lack of technique, but I think the problem is my breathing technique. I find myself not able to get into rhythm so that I can breathe normally so holding my breath, and then trying to breathe in a lot of air quickly causes me to become exhausted quickly.

The #1 rule of scuba for new divers, of course, is NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH.

So stop that. You'll hurt yourself badly.

[db83]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

The #1 rule of scuba for new divers, of course, is NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH.

So stop that. You'll hurt yourself badly.

I'm fine when I'm diving. Regulator in my mouth is just fine. I have the above problem when swimming.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by db83

I'm fine when I'm diving. Regulator in my mouth is just fine. I have the above problem when swimming.

Ah, gotcha.

[ccoceangirl]

With Padi its 200 meter swim or a 300 meter swim with mask, fins and snorkle. You dont have to be a strong swimmer just an ok swimmer if that. I am horrible at swimming. I had to take lessons to do my divemaster.

[db83]

Originally Posted by ccoceangirl

With Padi its 200 meter swim or a 300 meter swim with mask, fins and snorkle. You dont have to be a strong swimmer just an ok swimmer if that. I am horrible at swimming. I had to take lessons to do my divemaster.

I opted for the 300 meter swim with the mask, fins, and snorkel. As I have stated above, my main difficulty with swimming is my breathing, which obviously the snorkel fixed. I have to ask though, what kind of pool did you guys do your swim in? I was in a pool that I literally kicked off the wall from one side and reached the other side just from the momentum alone. I know it doesn't take a great swimmer to scuba dive, but I just can't see using that short of a distance as a means of judging whether someone is a decent enough swimmer or not.

[comet24]

Technique matter more then anything else when swimming. Take anyone who has swam competitively as some point in their life and throw them in the water with someone in great shape but doesn't really know how to swim and the swimmer will put then to sham, doesn't matter if they are overweight and out of shape.

What I'm am trying to say is find someone that knows how to swim well and have them teach you a few things. Good stroke and rhythm are everything.

I am out of shape, have knee issues but can still swim very well because I once swam competitively(almost 20 years ago) and learned very good strokes.

FWIW the PADI swim test is not all that hard. Very few people fail it. If you can swim down the length without stopping you should be fine.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by db83

I opted for the 300 meter swim with the mask, fins, and snorkel. As I have stated above, my main difficulty with swimming is my breathing, which obviously the snorkel fixed. I have to ask though, what kind of pool did you guys do your swim in? I was in a pool that I literally kicked off the wall from one side and reached the other side just from the momentum alone. I know it doesn't take a great swimmer to scuba dive, but I just can't see using that short of a distance as a means of judging whether someone is a decent enough swimmer or not.

I agree, they did you a disservice by letting you take the test in a pool that small, whether or not the rules let them get away with it.

That said, as long as you can swim well enough, it doesn't really matter.

The key to the swim test (at the OW level), is to remember that there is no time limit, and no speed limit. Swim slow, take it easy. You should be able to dog paddle it if you have to, the point is you can cover distance without drowning, not win a race. Do the breast stroke, if you can, and your head is above water most of the time... breathing is not an issue. Switch it up... can you do the back stroke? Or breast stroke laying on your back? Take a break and do that one for a while. Then you're face up and breathing normally the whole time.