Swimming technique is essentially the same; no matter whether there’s a line on the bottom and the pool surface is completely flat, or even if you’re in the ocean on a stormy day and there’s big waves all around. So a more pertinent question we should pose is – does YOUR technique change due to […]
Continue readingYou know that feeling you get before a race. Nearly everybody gets it. Pre-race anxiety is a normal part of racing. Whether you’re an experienced racer who is aiming for a place on the podium or a new PB, or a novice just worried about surviving the distance, nerves add excitement to a race, […]
Continue readingKicking is simply one of the most under-rated but fundamentally important aspects of swimming. It constantly startles me how many triathletes and open water swimmers have the mindset that kicking is not important for ocean or triathlon swimming. It’s good to remember that the world’s best open water swimmers all do more than 90% of […]
Continue readingHow Much Rotation is Necessary? Rotation is a very necessary part of Freestyle swimming mechanics. Rotation of the body helps you to obtain air when swimming but should never be confined to your breathing strokes. Correct body rotation helps not only improve your leverage and power transfer system but it is also very central […]
Continue readingHarbour Crossing – Nutrition Tips For Travel If you’re a carbohydrate enthusiast like I am, travelling to new places can open up a whole new world of delicious cuisines to tickle the taste buds. On the other hand, I’ve been to plenty of places around the world where I’m either time poor from transiting or […]
Continue readingBalance is the relative relationship you have between not only your head and hips, but everything at the front and the back of you. Hand Position – the position in which your hands/arms reach through the water. This needs to be underwater, but neither too deep nor shallow to maintain a body position whereby any […]
Continue readingThe Importance of Hydration for Ocean Swimming Whether you are a casual or competitive ocean swimmer it’s important to make sure you are fully hydrated before the race. Attention to good hydration and electrolyte balance is essential not only to your enjoyment of swimming and optimal performance, but also to help prevent muscle cramps and […]
Continue readingJetstar Elite Swimmer – Michael Sheil will be writing seven blogs this season to inform, entertain and inspire you including tips and advice on swimming, travel, race tactics, nutrition and more. As the dawn of the new season of the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series fast approaches, feelings of […]
Continue readingSleep – the often forgotten factor during training With it getting closer to race day, don’t neglect one vital training tool: sleep. Sleep is especially crucial for athletes but something that is often overlooked. Everyone knows that sleep is important but when it comes to competing and optimal performance, getting enough sleep is a […]
Continue readingCutting through water fast, using streamline The first concept of eliminating drag is called streamline and it centres around length. The leading edge of you (ie. your front arm) is where drag is first created or eliminated. Where, how firm, how long, and the placement of where you reach all combine to help stretch your […]
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