Feel the Water

Submitted by The Athlete Village on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 14:44

Competive Swimming

Can you describe the mysterious "Feel For the Water"? Experienced swimmers all know what it is, but can they describe it?

We know when it 'feels good' and when it 'feels bad'.

When we see a novice swimmer, we sometimes say that they do not have a good 'feel' for the water.

We have set out on a mission to find out what this mythical sense is, and to share it with the world.

Started as an adult...Don't 'have' it

Submitted by jammer1 on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 15:40.

I started swimming as an adult so that I could do triathlons. I don't think I have experienced this feel for the water. The best way that I can describe it is the young kids who train at the same time as us. They fly through the water. It looks effortless. They don't seem to think about swimming, it just happens. For me, I am concentrating on every move. I am sure it looks very rigid and odd.

You just know

Submitted by thechrisman on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 15:37.

You just know it. It's the big meet. You are rested and shaved. You feel really powerfull. Ever pull seems to propel you forward perfectly. As your hand moves through the water it feels like you are gripping a solid object and using it for propulsion rather than sliding through the water. Your body DOES simply slide through the water, effortlessly, with no drag.