I saw some of the girls in Athens (on TV) during the Olympic women triathlon swimming in a butterfly style during the last 20 meters of the swim leg.
The “Triathlon Analyst” explained that this is used as an effective recovery technique in preparation for the bike section.
Is this a new thing?
Does it work? How?
It wasn’t butterfly swimming it was “Dolphining”…when the water is shallow enought to stand up in it is (for some people) easier to dolphin dive (i.e. stand up…dive in, glide…repeat) rather than swim…I usually prefer to swim though, especially if the bottom is rocky!
Once you get it down…much faster than swimming!
It wasn’t butterfly swimming it was “Dolphining”…when the water is shallow enought to stand up in it is (for some people) easier to dolphin dive (i.e. stand up…dive in, glide…repeat) rather than swim…I usually prefer to swim though, especially if the bottom is rocky!
Dolphining is faster that swimming – but can be very dangerous in the ocean or even a lake. Coral can cut, broken glass, etc. etc. If the bottom is clean - jump away - but you better check!! Running a 10K with a gash on your foot is no fun.
And yes, this is from experience - my shoe was full of blood at the end of the race.