In the 25m pool....

I do flip turns.

I grab the wall and turn around to. I don't think it matters.

Mike

I do flip turns until I've run out of energy for that, and then I grab the wall and turn around. I don't hang out on the wall. I just turn around and go... until I've run out of energy for THAT!

Andrea

I just turn around normally. In fact, I usually rest a bit. You don't really need to know how to do flip turns if your triathlon swims will be in open water. It would benefit you to do some open water swimmng, however, since there isn't anywhere to pause. I did my first open water swim last week and it was an eye opener. I couldn't make it the full .4 mi without switching to recovery strokes.

I was doing flip turns but found that it raises my HR too much so I gave 'em up.  Now I just touch up and keep going.

touch and go....

d

touch and go, kick turns if i'm in a lane where others are doing it

WOW!!! I was going to post the same exact question. As I was swimming today, I was wondering if I should be turning without touching. Thanks for post

I actually try not to touch at all so that I'm not expecting that "crutch". If I do touch it's a light touch, then turn, then go.

NO - that is not a bad practice. For building base endurance you are probably best off by coming to the wall, quick touch, turn, and push off. Streamline off the wall and take a glide.

Try not to stop too long to rest, but feel free to take a breath, just keep your heart rate up.

Don't worry about flip turns, they are not necessary.

If you can, get some more open water practice to get you used to not having a wall every 25 meters.

Your turning really doesn't matter. It's your stamina that you have to worry about. The biggest difference between open water swimming and pool swimming is not that you can't take breaks in open water, it's that you have to take breaks while still swimming in open water. Use your turns as a way to slip into a survival stroke or take a swimming break without totally stopping. That may help you when you go to take breaks in open water. If you do stop and turn and rest to make up for that swim a little farther than you have to in the pool. For example, if your race is 850 meters, swim 1,000 meters in the pool as a preparation to simulate how much activity you'll have to be doing in open water. That may take away some of the advantages of resting n the turn.

I don't see anything wrong with using kick or open turns when practicing in a pool, even though there is an advantage with the glide off the wall it helps in keeping continuity or rhythm when doing laps. What I would reccomend is that as much time as possible be devoted to openwater swimming, preferably in as many conditions- including foul weather(chop, waves, etc.)- as possilble.....swimming in a open water tri is nothing like swimming in a pool

On monday I swam open water 1/2 the distance that I would have swam in the pool for a normal workout. (1600 yds open H2O vs ~3000 yds pool) and I was sore on tuesday, which hardly ever happens as a result of swimming. the water was calm, but I really think not having the push every 25 yds and the 1 min rest intervals between 500s really changes the way you swim. My form is the same in (smooth) open water as it is in the pool. I will say, though, that I am starting to love swimming in open water. Since you don't have to keep track of laps, (brings to mind a thread from last week!) you can totally focus on your stroke, or go wherever your mind drifts off to while you're working out. just remember to sight! Now I just have to deal with swimming with the crush of other bodies and I'll be fine! My training buddy and I crashed into eachother a few times, but I don't think that compares!