Quick: what are the three most common mistakes made by amateur swimmers? According to Win Wilson, a 30-year competitor in the U.S. Masters program and the author of Good Swimming: Pathways to Better Swimming for Recreational and Lap
Swimmers, Triathletes and Other Competitors, the bad habits generally line up like this: 1) The swimmers don’t get rid of all their air when their face is underwater,
(2) They don’t pull their arms all the way back at the start of a
stroke, and (3) They kick too much when they should instead be relying
more on their arms. The alumni magazine of Brown University, where Wilson started swimming in 1948, writes about Wilson, who was famous for his speed in middle distance events, if not writing: the book, he says, took 18 years to finish. Read more from Brown’s alumni mag.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Saturday, May 31, 2025
thanks fo idea..i dont know how to swim..
Do not hold your fingers together. Your arm recovery
should reach farther in front of you. The power stroke
should traverse your midline and push out to the side
at the end like a canoe paddle. The elbow should be
bent and your thumbs should almost touch your chin and
belly button. Arch your back. The water should brake
on the middle of your forehead. In ocean swimming –
breath every stroke with minimal head turn. Some turns
you will only get water.You can breath on the same side
all the time. Make sure this does not weaken you non-
breathing side arm stroke. Each stroke should partially
lift you shoulders out of the water. Point your toes.
But, not so hard that you cramp. Use a short kick – 1 beat. Just enough to hold the back of your body up.
The body should be presented to the on coming water as
much like a surfboard as possible. With some weight
training (pull-downs) that strengthen your lats and pecs. You should reach a time of 20 to 25 minutes on
a 5 mile swim. Navigate by landmarks like trees, buildings or water towers about 1/2 to 1 mile ahead.
I’m sure Mr. Wilson’s book is good. A Guy named Councilman also wrote a good book. J.Miller Delray Bch. FL.
20 to 25 minutes on a 5 mile swim? Can you explain that? Is the a 4 to 5 minute mile? Or 20 to 25 minutes per mile? I know nothing about swimming. Thanks
He means that you should reach a time of 20-25 min PER mile average on the 5 mile swim.
would be for a 1 (one) mile, reckon the mile swim to average swimmer is between 26-32 minutes/mile