Swim Stroke Preference

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2008-08-07 12:04 PM

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Subject: Swim Stroke Preference
Does anyone use the sidestroke for the swim? The US Navy Seals use this almost exclusively when inserting a beach and can swim up to 5 miles with enough energy to complete a mission. Does the sidestroke require too much leg energy to perform the bike and run or is the freestyle/crawl that much faster?

2008-08-07 12:12 PM
in reply to: #1587901

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Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference
Don't they use fins as well during insertions?

Anyway, here's a link to it and it looks really slow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lUHudMN1TU


It seems to me that if it was more effecient the Pros would already be doing it.

Edited by triturn 2008-08-07 12:15 PM
2008-08-07 12:15 PM
in reply to: #1587931

Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference

triturn - 2008-08-07 1:12 PM Don't they use fins as well? It seems to me that if it was more effecient the Pros would already be doing it.

Agreed. From what I can guess is that it's much easier to sight, carry crap, etc while doing sidestroke. Sure, you need to sight during a triathlon, but you just pick your head up every several strokes. Sidestroke, I feel, would wear your legs out a bit more than freestyle, since with freestyle, you're basically using your upper body to pull yourself and your kick is really only for stability. Triathletes don't even necessarily kick like regular swimmers do, because we'd blow our legs out for the bike - unless you're trying to pass someone or making a sprint to the end, etc. I'd go with freestyle- fastest and most efficient in terms of the whole triathlon picture.

2008-08-07 1:08 PM
in reply to: #1587901

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Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference
Tri14kix - 2008-08-07 12:04 PM Does anyone use the sidestroke for the swim? The US Navy Seals use this almost exclusively when inserting a beach and can swim up to 5 miles with enough energy to complete a mission. Does the sidestroke require too much leg energy to perform the bike and run or is the freestyle/crawl that much faster?
yes
2008-08-07 1:43 PM
in reply to: #1587940

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Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference
wurkit_gurl - 2008-08-07 1:15 PM

Agreed. From what I can guess is that it's much easier to sight, carry crap, etc while doing sidestroke.

Also, it's stealthier. Which isn't a concern in triathlon.

2008-08-07 1:50 PM
in reply to: #1587901

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Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference
I did sidestroke for most of my first OWS triathlon. It was easier for me to keep my composure and, at the time, I could barely do the distance as non-stop freestyle. It got me through the swim and on to the bike but I'd recommend it only as option b.

2008-08-07 1:54 PM
in reply to: #1587901

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Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference
Side stroke, elementary backstroke, and head up breast stroke are survial strokes and not competitive for races....

Freestyle is the way to go....
2008-08-07 3:12 PM
in reply to: #1587931

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Subject: RE: Swim Stroke Preference
triturn - 2008-08-07 1:12 PM

Don't they use fins as well during insertions?

Anyway, here's a link to it and it looks really slow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lUHudMN1TU


It seems to me that if it was more effecient the Pros would already be doing it.


Looking at that video, it seems like the stroke is designed to minimize splashing and any detectable movement above the surface of the water.

I see lots of folks side stroking at triathlons, but they're doing freestyle at the front of the waves.
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