Then there are the good days \u2013 the days you feel more dolphin than human, slipping though the water with ease, wondering why it can\u2019t be like this all the time. <\/p>
Obviously the water is the same though (provided you\u2019re in the same conditions) so why does it feel so much harder some days \u2013 and what can actually help to make us faster?<\/p>
Density and drag<\/strong><\/h2>First, it\u2019s worth briefly considering the properties of water. Without going too into GCSE chemistry, water is the only abundant substance on earth to exist as a gas, liquid and solid and each molecule is made up of one water and two hydrogen atoms. <\/p>
Water\u2019s density is 1 gram per cubic centimetre, which is around 800 times that of air, and the hydrogen bonds also create surface tension (which is why light insects can sit on the surface). <\/p>
So if you\u2019ve ever thought swimming is much harder than cycling or running \u2013 you\u2019d be right \u2013 and this helps explain why swimming is so much harder on days you\u2019re tired or a bit under par.<\/p>
So what does this mean for us as swimmers? Here to simplify things is Paul Newsome, head coach and founder of swim coaching platform Swim Smooth. <\/p>
\u201cWe know that water is 800 times more dense than air. So consequently the resistance that you encounter when you\u2019re swimming is much, much greater. <\/p>
“That creates drag which slows us down \u2013 so basically when we try to swim, we are looking to minimise drag and increase effective propulsion. For most new swimmers, reducing drag is the key thing.\u201d<\/p>
Professor Huub Toussaint, holder of a PHD in Swimming and Professor of Human Movement Science in the Academy for Physical Education and Associated Professor of Biomechanics at the Free University in Amsterdam, Netherlands \u2013 as well as namesake of the Derby-based wetsuit brand \u2013 explains in a little more detail. <\/p>
\u201cThe primary factors influencing swim speed are mechanics and energetics. Swimming fast requires generating enough propulsion to overcome the drag forces that impede forward motion. <\/p>
Technique plays a crucial role, as effective propulsive actions result in high forward-directed forces while minimising excessive bodily movements that increase drag. Streamlining<\/a><\/strong> is also essential to maintain low total drag forces. Unlike propulsion on land, swimming involves a moving propulsion point.\u201d<\/p>Unluckily for us as humans, we aren\u2019t exactly designed to be fast swimmers. Think of some familiar aquatic creatures \u2013 for example seals, dolphins, fish \u2013 and you can see they’re all streamlined, muscular and efficient in the water. <\/p>
Compare that to humans, who have a less streamlined shape and long limbs flapping about and you can start to see where the problems occur. What both Newsome and Toussaint are getting at here is that we want to be as propulsive as possible (generating forward movement) but without losing that to drag.<\/p>
\u201cYes, this introduces the concept of energetics, as energy is lost to the aquatic environment during the propulsion process,\u201d says Toussaint. \u201cGood swimmers excel at generating high propulsion, minimising drag, and minimising energy loss.\u201d<\/p>
The Future of Swim Speed<\/h4>
With the science of speed in water far behind that on land, what does the future hold? Could a watery version of a wind tunnel add insight and will kit be more designed for the individual swimmer?<\/p>
Professor Toussaint agrees there is more to come. \u201cIn my opinion, we have merely scratched the surface in understanding the complexity of drag and the potential for personalised suit tweaks to reduce it. Advancements such as 3D modelling of the body and bespoke suits that consider individual mass distribution hold promise,\u201d he says. <\/p>
“Additionally, my research into propulsion suggests that suit design may either hinder or facilitate efficient propulsion<\/a><\/strong>, and we are actively exploring this area. The application of new materials that enable previously impossible designs is also an intriguing avenue for future research.\u201d<\/p>It\u2019s a view that Dean Jackson shares. \u201cWe think that the future is probably like we\u2019ve had in cycling, where you\u2019ve got ribs with another membrane stretched over the top, and then that membrane oscillates in the water. <\/p>
“Also though, obviously we\u2019re constrained by British Triathlon regulations about what you can and can\u2019t do. But what if we opened up the 5mm rule a bit and went and had some fun? We\u2019ve already done this to some extent with Norseman<\/a><\/strong>, who allow thicker neoprene<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\u201cI think one of the biggest challenges, though, is going to be making sure that neoprene is made in a sustainable and healthy manner,\u201d Jackson continues. <\/p>
\u201cWe don\u2019t use oil-derived neoprene, they\u2019ve had issues in the States with oil-derived neoprene causing cancers in the local facilities [see thebigsea.org<\/a><\/strong> for more on this huge topic \u2013 Ed]. So we\u2019re using limestone-derived neoprene, but I would like to think that in the future, we\u2019re going to have a natural, sustainable rubber\u201d.<\/p><\/div><\/div>Swim technique<\/strong><\/h2>Of course, there are some differences in water that affect our swimming. Pool swimmers will talk about \u2018fast\u2019 and \u2018slow\u2019 pools, where elements such as depth, the distance between the pool edge and the water level, and the type of lane ropes can affect times. <\/p>
In open water there are even more \u2013 as salt water adds buoyancy, currents<\/a><\/strong>, waves<\/a><\/strong> and tid<\/a>e<\/a>s<\/a><\/strong> affect us (plus we tend to swim on the surface so are more at the mercy of conditions, rather than animals which will be under the water). <\/p>How can our swim technique can improve our speed?<\/strong><\/h2>Paul Newsome identifies some key elements that can help or hinder. Swim Smooth advises working on your breathing first<\/a><\/strong> as a new swimmer (or swimmer looking to improve) but once that\u2019s nailed, it\u2019s all about reducing drag. <\/p>\u201cLooking too far forwards, lifting your head too high, and having crossovers in your stroke \u2013 which cause scissoring of the legs \u2013 creates additional drag. Having stiff ankles<\/a><\/strong> and tight hip flexors will also create drag at the back of the stroke, as the legs sit down a lot lower than they should.\u201d <\/p>When we think of the body in its entirety, our goal is to be as streamlined as possible.<\/p>
Swim Smooth recommends bilateral breathing<\/a><\/strong> (the ability to breathe to either side, either every three strokes or alternating between each side depending on conditions, or mixing it up depending on the swim) as a way of creating more balanced rotation in the body. <\/p>From there, it\u2019s about getting the body as horizontal as we can, rotating in the water within the smallest area possible (some swimmers find it helpful to imagine swimming in a tunnel or tube!).<\/p>
Some key technique pointers to address would be:<\/h4>
\u2022 Holding your breath. This creates buoyancy in the chest which can cause your legs to sink<\/a><\/strong>.As we can see, these common faults and the methods to correct them centre on creating a high, horizontal body position where the body rotates evenly and with good control \u2013 and that\u2019s even before we bring in the propulsion created by using our arms and kick.<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2023\/10\/Huub-mallorca-2016-5.jpg?fit=1024,802\")
<\/figure>Wetsuits and swimskins<\/strong><\/h2>All of this is a rather long-winded way of saying once we understand how water behaves (it\u2019s very dense and hard work!) and how our swim technique needs to work efficiently to help us move through that density (effective propulsion minus drag). <\/p>
Where it gets interesting for some triathletes though, is in one key thing \u2013 yes, it\u2019s time to talk wetsuits<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>Go to any big triathlon and the pre-race chat is always around water temperatures<\/a><\/strong> and (in the height of summer) if there’s a chance they’ll be banned as the water is too warm. <\/p>It\u2019s no surprise either, as developments in wetsuit technology have meant that the suits we have access to these days do so much more than keep us warm \u2013 they give us buoyancy, make us more hydrodynamic and can even help correct flaws in our swimming. <\/p>
So if you\u2019re a weaker swimmer, chances are you\u2019ll be much quicker once you pull on the neoprene.
Look at the time and money spent by cycling teams and manufacturers in wind tunnels versus the lack of equivalent technology in swimming, and you can start to see that perhaps we are only in the early days of advancing our performance through the kit we use when we try to achieve speed in water.<\/p>
In the meantime, Professor Toussaint has been instrumental in looking at in-water wetsuit testing alongside Huub Design, with the invention of their unique \u2018M.A.D. system\u2019:<\/p>
\u201cTo gain a deeper understanding of swimming, we developed the Measure Active Drag (M.A.D.) system,\u201d says Toussaint. <\/p>
\u201cIt involves a long ladder mounted under the water, providing fixed push-off points for swimmers. These points are instrumented to measure forces. At a constant swimming speed, average propulsion is equal to average drag. <\/p>
“By using the M.A.D. system, we can determine a drag profile for a swimmer and compare it across different suits. For instance, some swimmers may experience increased drag due to sinking legs. <\/p>
“We can quantify the amount of buoyancy needed to offset the added drag from sinking legs. This system allows us to measure the drag reduction and performance improvements such as added compression, buoyancy, or the effect of an exoskeleton.\u201d<\/p>
Developing the system was important to Huub founder Dean Jackson. <\/p>
\u201cI\u2019ve always been frustrated when people don\u2019t talk honestly about their level of research. But unfortunately, there\u2019s no really good measurement, or a wind tunnel for wetsuits out there, so Professor Toussaint and I decided to build the very best piece of equipment to measure drag on water for swimmers. <\/p>
“Putting it bluntly, we test when others simply don\u2019t. Our level of understanding is so advanced \u2014 and it\u2019s a position we intend to hold.\u201d<\/p>
Working with the Professor, Jackson next bought in Paul Newsome to advise on common swim types. <\/p>
From there came the development of the 3:5 and 3:3 buoyancy profiles, based on how much lift a swimmer needed in their lower body (the 5mm in the legs giving more lift for sinky swimmers), as well as the \u2018exoskeleton\u2019 designed to give more core stability and prevent snaking.<\/p>
Swim Smart by Jonny Brownlee<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>The triathlon swim can strike fear into most of us \u2013 so here, one of the most famous faces in the sport shares his race-day swim tips:<\/p>
\u2022 It’s nerve-wracking, but everyone\u2019s nervous and you need to accept that no one is out there to really hurt you. It’s just a coming together of arms
\u2022 On the pontoon, I listen for the start and know I\u2019m going to dive in, keep my arms streamlined and not breathe for the first five or six strokes. So I get over any nerves by thinking about all these kind of cues.<\/p>
\u2022 I\u2019ve also got a philosophy, which is whatever goes wrong [at the start], you\u2019re probably never more than 10 seconds behind the first buoy. So don\u2019t worry, you can still catch up.<\/p>
\u2022 The other main thing to consider is [adapting to conditions]. So for example, London Olympics, the lake was absolutely pan flat like a mill pond. So there you\u2019ve got more of a longer stroke, a smoother stroke. But in a sea swim, when it\u2019s choppy and it\u2019s really wavy, I don\u2019t really go for as much of a glide anymore. It\u2019s more just turnover and grabbing water.<\/p><\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2023\/10\/jonny-brownlee-cagliariwtcs-2023-swim-scaled.jpg?fit=1024,1024\")
Jonny Brownlee exits the swim at the 2023 World Triathlon Series Cagliari. (Credit: Michael Steele\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>Top-end swim speed<\/strong><\/h2>Nowhere is it more important to maximise speed in water than in pro racing, though \u2013 something which three-time Olympic medallist Jonny Brownlee is well aware of [see above for more from Jonny]. <\/p>
After all, while their swim time may not make or break a race, missing out on that early swim exit is crucial to making the lead bike pack and that really is where magic (or disaster!) can happen.<\/p>
\u201cI started to swim very, very young. So I\u2019m one of those fortunate people in that I\u2019ve always had that swimming stroke,\u201d says Brownlee. <\/p>
\u201cBut obviously when you compete, you\u2019re always thinking about how you can move faster. My philosophy on swimming is simple. Really, it is \u2013 you keep your hips high and then you try and get the best possible pull on the water you can.<\/p>
\u201cI think what a lot of people do wrong is they either rush a stroke, or don\u2019t grab the water to the front and then push out the back. As triathletes sometimes, because we\u2019re fit, we can end up throwing our arms over too quick and not actually pulling water.\u201d<\/p>
Despite one of the best strokes in the business, the marginal gains offered by kit are still important, though, and resulted in both Jonny and brother Alistair Brownlee<\/a><\/strong> working with Huub on the development of the suit they both race in \u2013 the Brownlee Agilis.<\/p>\u201cWe want to make sure we\u2019re wearing the fastest kit. You know, we do all the training we do to prepare as well as we can. And my philosophy is you want to be on start line knowing you\u2019ve got the fastest kit too,\u201d says Jonny. <\/p>
\u201cSo the guys at Huub were working with us on that. We took the design back to making it as flexible as possible on the arms and then as much buoyancy as you can around the waist. Where the panels were stitched or glued made a huge difference too, as you take some flexibility away in those areas.<\/p>
\u201cUsually when you put a wetsuit on you feel a bit restricted,\u201d continues Jonny. \u201cBut as soon as I put on the finished Brownlee suit I felt I could swim 5 or 6 km straight away so I knew we had created a good one\u201d.<\/p>
Not all pro swims are wetsuit ones though, in which case athletes may opt for a swimskin<\/a><\/strong>. Working slightly different to a wetsuit, a swim skin is designed to be as tight and compressive and streamlined as possible.<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2023\/10\/swimmer-running-into-swim-dive.jpg?fit=1024,900\")
<\/figure>More marginal gains?<\/strong><\/h2>So from body mechanics to wetsuits designed with science and marginal gains in mind, we can see there\u2019s a lot that can help you swim faster. But what about the future? <\/p>
The feeling in many quarters is that we\u2019re still only beginning to explore swim speed and especially swim speed in open water (after all, who can forget the \u2018technical doping\u2019 drama as FINA banned certain swimsuits in the early 2000s?).<\/p>
Beyond wetsuits and swimskins though, we can look at other apparel \u2013 for example swim caps<\/a><\/strong> are often race-issued in triathlon and not as streamlined as they could be or designed to maximise hydrodynamics. <\/p>This in itself is more complex than, say, an aero helmet<\/a><\/strong> on the bike, as our head moves as we swim. The same goes for goggles<\/a><\/strong>. While there is a lot to be said for choosing a set that are comfortable and give great visibility for age-groupers, could the pros maximise speed more in their choice of a sleeker or lower-profile goggle?<\/p>Admittedly, for the average age-grouper these are small concerns in the big (watery) picture. The best advice? Work on your swim technique as much as you can to reduce drag \u2013 coaching can give huge benefits \u2013 and make sure that you are not too reliant on your wetsuit to get round your chosen triathlon swim distance. <\/p>
As for a wetsuit, think about your technique when choosing a suit and get the one that fits you the best and supports your swimming. <\/p>
For the average swimmer a bit of buoyancy in the legs, some core stabilisation and flexibility in the arms can work wonders \u2013 until at least, some kit is invented that really can make us swim like dolphins\u2026<\/p>
Five key takeaways<\/h4>- Water is 800x denser than air, so naturally is more difficult to generate movement in \u2013 and it becomes even more important to minimise drag.<\/li>
- Work on your swim technique. Aim to get your legs up, work on your breathing and develop a good core with rotation.<\/li>
- Fixing small faults in your technique can give big gains.<\/li>
- Get the right wetsuit for your type of swimming as well as one that fits you correctly. More spend doesn\u2019t necessarily equal more speed.<\/li>
- Work on swimming well without a wetsuit as well as with one.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>
All images credit:<\/strong> Huub Design<\/p> ![](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2023\/10\/Huub-mallorca-2016-8.jpg\"\/)
<\/body><\/html>\n
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Unluckily for us as humans, we aren\u2019t exactly designed to be fast swimmers. Think of some familiar aquatic creatures \u2013 for example seals, dolphins, fish \u2013 and you can see they’re all streamlined, muscular and efficient in the water. <\/p>
Compare that to humans, who have a less streamlined shape and long limbs flapping about and you can start to see where the problems occur. What both Newsome and Toussaint are getting at here is that we want to be as propulsive as possible (generating forward movement) but without losing that to drag.<\/p>
\u201cYes, this introduces the concept of energetics, as energy is lost to the aquatic environment during the propulsion process,\u201d says Toussaint. \u201cGood swimmers excel at generating high propulsion, minimising drag, and minimising energy loss.\u201d<\/p>
The Future of Swim Speed<\/h4>
With the science of speed in water far behind that on land, what does the future hold? Could a watery version of a wind tunnel add insight and will kit be more designed for the individual swimmer?<\/p>
Professor Toussaint agrees there is more to come. \u201cIn my opinion, we have merely scratched the surface in understanding the complexity of drag and the potential for personalised suit tweaks to reduce it. Advancements such as 3D modelling of the body and bespoke suits that consider individual mass distribution hold promise,\u201d he says. <\/p>
“Additionally, my research into propulsion suggests that suit design may either hinder or facilitate efficient propulsion<\/a><\/strong>, and we are actively exploring this area. The application of new materials that enable previously impossible designs is also an intriguing avenue for future research.\u201d<\/p> It\u2019s a view that Dean Jackson shares. \u201cWe think that the future is probably like we\u2019ve had in cycling, where you\u2019ve got ribs with another membrane stretched over the top, and then that membrane oscillates in the water. <\/p> “Also though, obviously we\u2019re constrained by British Triathlon regulations about what you can and can\u2019t do. But what if we opened up the 5mm rule a bit and went and had some fun? We\u2019ve already done this to some extent with Norseman<\/a><\/strong>, who allow thicker neoprene<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p> \u201cI think one of the biggest challenges, though, is going to be making sure that neoprene is made in a sustainable and healthy manner,\u201d Jackson continues. <\/p> \u201cWe don\u2019t use oil-derived neoprene, they\u2019ve had issues in the States with oil-derived neoprene causing cancers in the local facilities [see thebigsea.org<\/a><\/strong> for more on this huge topic \u2013 Ed]. So we\u2019re using limestone-derived neoprene, but I would like to think that in the future, we\u2019re going to have a natural, sustainable rubber\u201d.<\/p><\/div><\/div> Of course, there are some differences in water that affect our swimming. Pool swimmers will talk about \u2018fast\u2019 and \u2018slow\u2019 pools, where elements such as depth, the distance between the pool edge and the water level, and the type of lane ropes can affect times. <\/p> In open water there are even more \u2013 as salt water adds buoyancy, currents<\/a><\/strong>, waves<\/a><\/strong> and tid<\/a>e<\/a>s<\/a><\/strong> affect us (plus we tend to swim on the surface so are more at the mercy of conditions, rather than animals which will be under the water). <\/p> Paul Newsome identifies some key elements that can help or hinder. Swim Smooth advises working on your breathing first<\/a><\/strong> as a new swimmer (or swimmer looking to improve) but once that\u2019s nailed, it\u2019s all about reducing drag. <\/p> \u201cLooking too far forwards, lifting your head too high, and having crossovers in your stroke \u2013 which cause scissoring of the legs \u2013 creates additional drag. Having stiff ankles<\/a><\/strong> and tight hip flexors will also create drag at the back of the stroke, as the legs sit down a lot lower than they should.\u201d <\/p> When we think of the body in its entirety, our goal is to be as streamlined as possible.<\/p> Swim Smooth recommends bilateral breathing<\/a><\/strong> (the ability to breathe to either side, either every three strokes or alternating between each side depending on conditions, or mixing it up depending on the swim) as a way of creating more balanced rotation in the body. <\/p> From there, it\u2019s about getting the body as horizontal as we can, rotating in the water within the smallest area possible (some swimmers find it helpful to imagine swimming in a tunnel or tube!).<\/p> \u2022 Holding your breath. This creates buoyancy in the chest which can cause your legs to sink<\/a><\/strong>. As we can see, these common faults and the methods to correct them centre on creating a high, horizontal body position where the body rotates evenly and with good control \u2013 and that\u2019s even before we bring in the propulsion created by using our arms and kick.<\/p> All of this is a rather long-winded way of saying once we understand how water behaves (it\u2019s very dense and hard work!) and how our swim technique needs to work efficiently to help us move through that density (effective propulsion minus drag). <\/p> Where it gets interesting for some triathletes though, is in one key thing \u2013 yes, it\u2019s time to talk wetsuits<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p> Go to any big triathlon and the pre-race chat is always around water temperatures<\/a><\/strong> and (in the height of summer) if there’s a chance they’ll be banned as the water is too warm. <\/p> It\u2019s no surprise either, as developments in wetsuit technology have meant that the suits we have access to these days do so much more than keep us warm \u2013 they give us buoyancy, make us more hydrodynamic and can even help correct flaws in our swimming. <\/p> So if you\u2019re a weaker swimmer, chances are you\u2019ll be much quicker once you pull on the neoprene. Look at the time and money spent by cycling teams and manufacturers in wind tunnels versus the lack of equivalent technology in swimming, and you can start to see that perhaps we are only in the early days of advancing our performance through the kit we use when we try to achieve speed in water.<\/p> In the meantime, Professor Toussaint has been instrumental in looking at in-water wetsuit testing alongside Huub Design, with the invention of their unique \u2018M.A.D. system\u2019:<\/p> \u201cTo gain a deeper understanding of swimming, we developed the Measure Active Drag (M.A.D.) system,\u201d says Toussaint. <\/p> \u201cIt involves a long ladder mounted under the water, providing fixed push-off points for swimmers. These points are instrumented to measure forces. At a constant swimming speed, average propulsion is equal to average drag. <\/p> “By using the M.A.D. system, we can determine a drag profile for a swimmer and compare it across different suits. For instance, some swimmers may experience increased drag due to sinking legs. <\/p> “We can quantify the amount of buoyancy needed to offset the added drag from sinking legs. This system allows us to measure the drag reduction and performance improvements such as added compression, buoyancy, or the effect of an exoskeleton.\u201d<\/p> Developing the system was important to Huub founder Dean Jackson. <\/p> \u201cI\u2019ve always been frustrated when people don\u2019t talk honestly about their level of research. But unfortunately, there\u2019s no really good measurement, or a wind tunnel for wetsuits out there, so Professor Toussaint and I decided to build the very best piece of equipment to measure drag on water for swimmers. <\/p> “Putting it bluntly, we test when others simply don\u2019t. Our level of understanding is so advanced \u2014 and it\u2019s a position we intend to hold.\u201d<\/p> Working with the Professor, Jackson next bought in Paul Newsome to advise on common swim types. <\/p> From there came the development of the 3:5 and 3:3 buoyancy profiles, based on how much lift a swimmer needed in their lower body (the 5mm in the legs giving more lift for sinky swimmers), as well as the \u2018exoskeleton\u2019 designed to give more core stability and prevent snaking.<\/p> The triathlon swim can strike fear into most of us \u2013 so here, one of the most famous faces in the sport shares his race-day swim tips:<\/p> \u2022 It’s nerve-wracking, but everyone\u2019s nervous and you need to accept that no one is out there to really hurt you. It’s just a coming together of arms \u2022 On the pontoon, I listen for the start and know I\u2019m going to dive in, keep my arms streamlined and not breathe for the first five or six strokes. So I get over any nerves by thinking about all these kind of cues.<\/p> \u2022 I\u2019ve also got a philosophy, which is whatever goes wrong [at the start], you\u2019re probably never more than 10 seconds behind the first buoy. So don\u2019t worry, you can still catch up.<\/p> \u2022 The other main thing to consider is [adapting to conditions]. So for example, London Olympics, the lake was absolutely pan flat like a mill pond. So there you\u2019ve got more of a longer stroke, a smoother stroke. But in a sea swim, when it\u2019s choppy and it\u2019s really wavy, I don\u2019t really go for as much of a glide anymore. It\u2019s more just turnover and grabbing water.<\/p><\/div> Nowhere is it more important to maximise speed in water than in pro racing, though \u2013 something which three-time Olympic medallist Jonny Brownlee is well aware of [see above for more from Jonny]. <\/p> After all, while their swim time may not make or break a race, missing out on that early swim exit is crucial to making the lead bike pack and that really is where magic (or disaster!) can happen.<\/p> \u201cI started to swim very, very young. So I\u2019m one of those fortunate people in that I\u2019ve always had that swimming stroke,\u201d says Brownlee. <\/p> \u201cBut obviously when you compete, you\u2019re always thinking about how you can move faster. My philosophy on swimming is simple. Really, it is \u2013 you keep your hips high and then you try and get the best possible pull on the water you can.<\/p> \u201cI think what a lot of people do wrong is they either rush a stroke, or don\u2019t grab the water to the front and then push out the back. As triathletes sometimes, because we\u2019re fit, we can end up throwing our arms over too quick and not actually pulling water.\u201d<\/p> Despite one of the best strokes in the business, the marginal gains offered by kit are still important, though, and resulted in both Jonny and brother Alistair Brownlee<\/a><\/strong> working with Huub on the development of the suit they both race in \u2013 the Brownlee Agilis.<\/p> \u201cWe want to make sure we\u2019re wearing the fastest kit. You know, we do all the training we do to prepare as well as we can. And my philosophy is you want to be on start line knowing you\u2019ve got the fastest kit too,\u201d says Jonny. <\/p> \u201cSo the guys at Huub were working with us on that. We took the design back to making it as flexible as possible on the arms and then as much buoyancy as you can around the waist. Where the panels were stitched or glued made a huge difference too, as you take some flexibility away in those areas.<\/p> \u201cUsually when you put a wetsuit on you feel a bit restricted,\u201d continues Jonny. \u201cBut as soon as I put on the finished Brownlee suit I felt I could swim 5 or 6 km straight away so I knew we had created a good one\u201d.<\/p> Not all pro swims are wetsuit ones though, in which case athletes may opt for a swimskin<\/a><\/strong>. Working slightly different to a wetsuit, a swim skin is designed to be as tight and compressive and streamlined as possible.<\/p> So from body mechanics to wetsuits designed with science and marginal gains in mind, we can see there\u2019s a lot that can help you swim faster. But what about the future? <\/p> The feeling in many quarters is that we\u2019re still only beginning to explore swim speed and especially swim speed in open water (after all, who can forget the \u2018technical doping\u2019 drama as FINA banned certain swimsuits in the early 2000s?).<\/p> Beyond wetsuits and swimskins though, we can look at other apparel \u2013 for example swim caps<\/a><\/strong> are often race-issued in triathlon and not as streamlined as they could be or designed to maximise hydrodynamics. <\/p> This in itself is more complex than, say, an aero helmet<\/a><\/strong> on the bike, as our head moves as we swim. The same goes for goggles<\/a><\/strong>. While there is a lot to be said for choosing a set that are comfortable and give great visibility for age-groupers, could the pros maximise speed more in their choice of a sleeker or lower-profile goggle?<\/p> Admittedly, for the average age-grouper these are small concerns in the big (watery) picture. The best advice? Work on your swim technique as much as you can to reduce drag \u2013 coaching can give huge benefits \u2013 and make sure that you are not too reliant on your wetsuit to get round your chosen triathlon swim distance. <\/p> As for a wetsuit, think about your technique when choosing a suit and get the one that fits you the best and supports your swimming. <\/p> For the average swimmer a bit of buoyancy in the legs, some core stabilisation and flexibility in the arms can work wonders \u2013 until at least, some kit is invented that really can make us swim like dolphins\u2026<\/p> All images credit:<\/strong> Huub Design<\/p> By Helen Webster Published: Tuesday, 31 October 2023 at 10:24 AM Water seems to exist beyond the sphere of logical science sometimes. You know the days \u2013 the ones where you get into the pool or lake and it feels like someone has tipped treacle in. Every stroke is an effort, you\u2019re fatigued after a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":26566,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"14"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster.jpg",1200,802,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster-300x201.jpg",300,201,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster-768x513.jpg",768,513,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster-1024x684.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster.jpg",1200,802,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/how-science-can-help-us-swim-faster.jpg",1200,802,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Helen Webster Published: Tuesday, 31 October 2023 at 10:24 AM Water seems to exist beyond the sphere of logical science sometimes. You know the days \u2013 the ones where you get into the pool or lake and it feels like someone has tipped treacle in. Every stroke is an effort, you\u2019re fatigued after a…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/26565"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Swim technique<\/strong><\/h2>
How can our swim technique can improve our speed?<\/strong><\/h2>
Some key technique pointers to address would be:<\/h4>
<\/figure>Wetsuits and swimskins<\/strong><\/h2>
Swim Smart by Jonny Brownlee<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>
Top-end swim speed<\/strong><\/h2>
<\/figure>More marginal gains?<\/strong><\/h2>
Five key takeaways<\/h4>
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