My swimming lessons have finally come to an end tonight. I am
definitely swimming much better now than I did a month ago. My strokes
and body movements are much more efficient. Knowing that this is my
last class, I asked the instructor to coach me breaststroke. After a
few drills in breaststroke, my instructor said that my breaststroke is
fine but has a tip for me. She introduced me a new technique call
gliding that I can use when swimming in breaststroke. Basically, the
swimmer reduces the body hydrodynamics as the swimmer pushes the water
to the side at the completion of the breaststroke arm movement.
However, to compensate we can just extend both arms and legs straight
after taking a gasp of air. This motion allows the body to glide after
each stroke thereby improving the body hydrodynamics. I tried the new
technique out in the pool and there was a noticeably difference in the
speed. I finished the class with several lapse of a swimming medley of
free-style and breaststroke. Indeed, the swimming lessons have been
very rewarding.