Flip turn issues

Swimming
1

Due to limited pool time I’ve never really worried much about mastering flip turns.

But due to some shoulder pain issues (mentioned in last post) I decided to ease off a little on the swimming and spend some off the time learning flip turns.

I almost have them, with a nose clip. Take the nose clip away however and it’s a disaster. No matter how hard I blow out through my nose, water goes up & I can’t tolerate it. Also I run out of air from exhaling so much through the nose. I also can’t use a snorkel without a nose clip.

Where am I going wrong?? :weary: I feel like an idiot!!

2

You don’t necessarily need to exhale aggressively or hard. I can see why you would run out of breath quickly. Try practice exhaling slowly over a longer duration under water. If you don’t want to exhale during your turn, press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. I find that helps close off the nasal passage from my throat and I don’t end up with water flooding my sinuses/nose.

You can also try practicing from a standing position. Head to hip deep water and practice jumping and somersaulting forward, landing on your feet, and standing up with arms extended in the air.

1 Like
3

I have no issue exhaling slowly through the nose when swimming normally, but when upside down in the turn, nothing seems to keep the water out. Very frustrating.

4

You don’t exhale through your nose for the entire turn, only when you need to. Practise by tipping your head upside down and blowing out hard. It should be physically impossible for air to go up your nose.

5

I spent most of my lunch swim thinking about this.

A few questions. Do you look “up” at the wall before you turn, or do you start your turn with your head down/chin tucked? Can you do a sommersault in the middle of the pool with no issues?

1 Like
6

Sorry if I ruined your swim :flushed: thanks for thinking of me though!

Don’t think I look at the wall, am looking at the floor.
I can do a somersault with nose clip for sure, without I think is more difficult but not as bad as the flip turn (not 100% sure, will check on Thursday when at the pool next).

7

The answer is no, I cannot do a free somersault without nose clip, without getting a painful nose full of water :tired_face: I’m such a swimming loser!!!

8

You are definitely not a loser. I think you need to work on your sommersault technique with the nose clip.

Or - even better - stalk someone with good technique and ask if you can bug them for a little in person critique of where things might be going wrong.