Learn how to glide when swimming and it will transform your technique to an extent that your strokes will become smooth and effortless. Gliding goes hand-in-hand with learning how to relax in the water and how to float. Discover why...
Gliding in aquatic terms is the concept of floating through the water, either at the surface or underwater, without assistance or movement from the arms or legs. It usually begins with a forceful push from the poolside or solid edge in order to generate some propulsion.
A streamlined body shape is important for a glide to gain and maintain some distance.
Your personal 'body shape' is not relevant here. We are not talking about how short, tall, fat or thin you are. Any body shape can glide through the water. It is a matter of what position you have your arms and legs in as you glide.
Your hands and feet must be together to give a pointed streamlined shape so that the water moves easily around you as your body cuts through it. If your hands and feet are apart your body shape will be creating resistance and your movement will be little, if anything.
The thought of gliding through the water can be a scary one for a beginner learning to swim. That wobbly and unbalanced feeling as you move through the water unaided and without using your arms and legs, can be a very strange one.
Therefore it is important to start slowly. As you get used to the feeling of gliding you can push away harder and glide further. The more you repeat this, the more you getting used to how your body behaves in the water and this will then help to relax your body and mind. Click here for more on how to relax when swimming.
Those of us that are not natural floaters will begin to discover the point at which we sink, as our glide begins to slow. We can also learn how fast we sink, which in reality is actually very slow no matter how heavy we are.
As our glide slows and we begin to sink, we can apply some basic movements to help maintain the glide and prevent us sinking.
Combine your relaxed glide through the water with some gentle but effective arm and leg movements and you will soon discover that you float and remain at the surface as you swim.
My hugely popular book 'The Complete Beginners Guide to Swimming' is your perfect swimming companion, right there by your side to assist and support with all those doubts and fears. It will also show you how to fine-tune each part of your swimming technique.
Click below to download a copy to your computer, tablet or mobile device. Or, click here for more details.