Fixing my swim feet

Triathlon Forum
1

How do I fix my swim feet. You see, I have no kick and while I’ve been able to knock out 13:00 minute 1/2 mile swims I believe I can go faster if I didn’t drag my bent 90 degree feet behind me (My toes point down while I’m swimming) I just can’t seem to “point” my toes in the right direction when I’m swimming. I can do it if I really, really concentrate on it, but once I move into a grove my little kick (more like a twitch) and my bent 90 degree foot tries to push itself through the water… I’m not trying to improve my non-existent kick, but rather just be more streamlined in the water…

I’ve read a hundred times already to save your legs, but I know I could go faster if I streamlined my position. I just can’t seem to get my mind to re-program itself after 30+ years “pushing” myself through water.

I’ve been thinking of doing ALL my swimming (except for races) for the next couple of months with zoomers. Do you think this will help?

2

Ankle flexibility is key to having an effective kick and a good streamline. My favorite stretch these days is kneeling with my shins and top of feet touching the ground butt touching the heels (like a buddhist monk or something) for minutes at a time. This is a great stretch to loosen up the quads, shins and ankles and should help you be able to point your toes while swimming.

http://www.amateur-sports.com/st9a.jpg (pricture from: http://www.amateur-sports.com/stretchs.htm#STRETCH%20#1)