Flip turns (in the pool)

[Katrinakit 139]

Ok so when i was a teenager I could swim laps for hours. Then I stopped swimming for 20 years. Now I can still basically swim but I have developed an irrational fear of flip turns. Today I decided to conquer that fear so I did a LOT of them. And I have 2 main problems. 1) I keep getting Water in my goggles and 2) my ears don't equalize properly (even when I blow out the whole time) Any swimmers with pointers?

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

No pointers but I just wanted to say that I think this is awesome. I am a lap swimmer but have never learned to do flip turns. I was never on a swim team. I have already told the pro where I swim that I plan to sign up for some private lessons so she can teach me to flip turn when I am a little less buoyant.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I generally wear earplugs in my ears because I am prong to swimmers ear. There are several types and finding a good one which is inexpensive can be a problem. The reason why they need to be inexpensive is because they sometimes fall out and its difficult to spot them at the bottom of the pool when you are half blind.

Water in the goggles probably means they are not fitted properly. Or your facial hair is getting in the seal. So you may need a better pair.

[swimbikerun 1,038]

I would ditto @@James Marusek. I flip turn. There is no problem there, buy a decent pair of goggles and fit the nose piece to your face. The Speedo's mirrored Vanquisher 2.0 goggles are what I use. Swedish are pretty good too from what I hear.

Keep doing it. I would have problems because I have inner ear issues. If I don't flip turn for a week, my ears go off and I have to slowly get back into it.

[swimbikerun 1,038]

@Katrinakit @@Inner Surfer Girl

Actually if you watch the videos on Youtube, you can away without doing that. You don't want someone trying to sommersault you. Drive with your head, then use your core to pull you through. There are some really good ones Speedo does with Ryan Lochte on the flipturn (free, back, etc.). Do a search for speedo fit swim flip turn. The Race Club also has some good videos.

Btw, in masters' competition a flip turn is optional for all strokes. For fly and breast, you don't do a true flipturn. There is one of Ryan Lochte showing that on Youtube also. Most people don't flip turn as he does, at least swimmers that I know were at the Olympic tryouts are more out of the Water than what he is.

No pointers but I just wanted to say that I think this is awesome. I am a lap swimmer but have never learned to do flip turns. I was never on a swim team. I have already told the pro where I swim that I plan to sign up for some private lessons so she can teach me to flip turn when I am a little less buoyant.

[Djmohr 6,965]

Ok......this is a question for all your swimmers that have gotten to goal.

Do we ever really get less buoyant?

Geez, I went to the pool today for the first time since losing all of my weight. I have a disability and really am trying to use exercise in the Water to help strengthen and stretch.

Anyway, I bought a new swimsuit and everything.

Little did I know that all of my loose skin and even the girls kept rising in the Water. The girls kept trying to give everyone a peep show. What the heck!

I knew when I was fat this was the case so I stayed out, now all of my lose hanging skin decides it wants to float and because I am a lot lighter, it tries to carry the rest of me with it. LOL....

How bizarre is this or is it just me.

[mngreeneyes 674]

@@Katrinakit

I too used to be able to do flip turns. I haven't quite gotten to the point where I am ready to try them again, mostly because I need the breather of stopping at the wall! Keep it up!

@@Djmohr

I have made sure that my suits are tight and with LOTS of coverage in the area of the girls so so far the floating girls hasn't been a problem, but I can attest to being less buoyant. I used to be able to sit as though I was sitting in a chair with my arms up at 90 degree angles and just sit and float. Treading Water was a piece of cake because I floated so well. It is not so anymore. I now actually have to work to keep my face above water!

pam

[swimbikerun 1,038]

I have a disability also. I wear swimsuits that are geared to competition. If you have things "floating" or any movement, the suit is not fitted appropriately. I never have that problem. I did with a couple of suits when I first put them on, but that was due to losing 27 pounds in my first month. I couldn't swim in the first month after surgery.

Measure. That helps. PS I don't buy store suits, they're Speedo or the like, and are measured/fitted.