Speedo Aquabeat

AquaBeat is a waterproof audio player. You can store songs, audio books, podcasts and other audio files for listening on the go and in/under/near the water. Buy it at: http://www.speedoaquabeat.com/. 

Check out it's features: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-9CIYfEZtc

Swimming Turns.

The starts and the turn techniques employed in a swim race are the subject of intense practice by all competitive swimmers. Starts and turns are movements that are distinct from both the strokes used by a swimmer and from one another.

The start has three components, each of which can be broken down for discrete analysis—the starting block, the dive, and the pullout (breakout). All swim events, except the backstroke, begin on the elevated starting block situated at the edge of the pool. The backstroke commences with all swimmers in the water, facing the edge of the pool, grasping handles that permit a push off into the lane. To achieve maximum speed from the start block, the swimmers seek to keep their center of gravity as close to the edge of the block as possible. At the sound of the start, the swimmers employ a combination of explosive leg drive and a push with the toes from the surface of the block.

The dive is intended to be one that creates as little water resistance on entry as possible. The swimmer, depending upon the stroke to be employed during the race, will endeavor to take an angle of entry that balances speed through the water and an ability to seamlessly begin the stroke cadence. The transition between the dive and the stroke itself is the pullout, where the swimmer moves dynamically to the racing position in the water.

There are two general classifications of turns: the open turn and the flip turn, or tumble turn. The use of a particular type of turn, and the accompanying period of time in which the swimmer may remain underwater (in a desirable hydrodynamic position) after the completion of the turn, are specified in the rules of the sport as determined by FINA.

The flip turn is an important component of freestyle swimming. The turn is intended to permit a coordinated change of direction that allows the swimmers to maintain both their speed and the cadence of their stroke. A flip turn begins with a somersault, with the swimmers bringing their arms forward to create a long, slender upper body profile. As the upper body is being extended, the swimmers use the wall of the pool to push as powerfully as possible. In this position, the swimmers will often remain under the surface, propelling themselves with an efficient dolphin kick (legs together, moving in the manner of a dolphin). The distance in which the swimmers are permitted to remain underwater after a flip turn is also regulated in each swimming discipline.

The open turn is also used to preserve speed and form. In an open turn, the swimmers seek to coordinate their approach to the wall and the stroke rhythm; the swimmers use one hand to effect a push off from the wall, while bringing their feet and legs into a tuck position. The swimmers push off from the wall, with the entire body under the surface, extending from the tuck into a streamlined body position, from which they resume their stroke.

Swimming Starts

First we will concentrate on starting block technique. The person who reacts fastest and gets their body moving toward the water wins the start. Whether using the grab or the track start, always have your head down and your hips as high and as close to the edge of the blocks as possible. This positions your center of gravity closer to the edge of the block. For those who use the track staff, never rock back and then forward. It costs you a second before you finally start going toward the water. Try starting with your eyes closed! The start light isn't for you, it's for the timers! You can't see it anyway so why not close your eyes and react faster to the sound of the starting beeper! Armin Harry won the Olympic 100 meter dash and Steve Lundquist won the 100 meter Breast using this technique.
When the beeper goes off, quickly push (don't grab) on the starting block with your hands. This gets the body moving towards the water quickest and positions the body for best use of the leg thrust. With the legs, try to explode; then concentrate on using the toes (which were curled over the front of the block) for additional push. Once the start begins and you are hurtling through space, the dive begins. You can gain .1 to .3 seconds on the start, but you can gain or lose .5 to 1.0 seconds on the dive.Therefore the dive is mush more important than the actual start technique.
During the match races with Mark Spitz and Mat Biondi, Spitz actually won the start. Unfortunately Spitz did a flat dive, while Biondi did a perfect single hole entry dive. After the first stroke Biondi was over 1/2 body length ahead and the race was already won. Steve Lundquist in the '84 Olympics came up 1/2 to 1 body length ahead of the field. Whether you are going for an Olympic gold medal or a blue ribbon at a masters meet, it is always better to start the race out front.
To learn the single hole entry dive, always start water. Follow this sequence:

1) Head down, chin on chest, rear as high as possible.

2)React to start beep or pistol.

3)Head up, push with feet and toes upward and outward.

4)Head down and arms down, while following the whole body through water where the head and arms went.

5)Correct your depth under water, depending on the stroke.

6)Blast to the surface, all strokes this should be the strongest most powerful stroke in the race.
Tip, stick near the starter for a few races, learn the cadence and sound of the starter beep. Being familiar with the sound before hand will improve your start reaction time.

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Swimming Canada

    Check out this great swimming Canada website.I have the pleasure of known two swimmers on two Canada who i've gotten with swim with. I wish them luck with the up coming London Olympic trials. If your looking for clubs to join in Canada this is the site that will help you the best. It has great news of swimmers representing Canada in different competitions in different parts of the world, at all different levels.


https://www.swimming.ca/Default.aspx

Choosing the right suit.

Choosing the right swim suit can be a tough decision. For the majority of my life I have swam with Speedo bathing suits up until this season when I made the switch to Nike. The one bathing suit I do not recommend is TYR bathing suits, my staff bathing is made by that company. It's extremely uncomfortable and wears out before the swimming season is out. Bathing suits can be expensive so it's essential that you find one that fits you just right, I prefer a size smaller for races, the same size for practicing. The best practice bathing suits are the Speedo Endurance series, they are made thicker than a racing bathing suit, therefore making more of a resistance in the water. This place is where I buy the majority of my suits. If you are apart of a club you can obtain a 10% discount. Sports experts have a wide selection of bathing suits but they tend to over price there older bathing suits.


http://www.shopaquasport.com/index.aspx?lang=en

ALPS Montreal.

Alps is just one of the many organizaionts ive been lucky enough to be with since a far back as I can remember. ALPS is an association of 22 outdoor community pools located primarily in the West Island of Montreal. Celebrating its 53rd year in 2010, this organization coordinates communication and friendly competition among the member clubs in the disciplines of competitive swimming, water-polo, synchronized swimming and diving.
Check out the website for a list of pools closets to you.
http://www.jumptoalps.com/maps.htm

GO MWAC! Pools 2010:

BDAC Baie d'Urfe Aquatic Club BEAU Club de Natation Beaurepaire Swim Club BHILL Beacon Hill Swim Club BHTS Beaconsfield Heights CAVIP Club Aquatique Ville Ile Perrot CEDAR Cedar Park Pool DIXIE Association Piscine Dixie Pool Inc. HCOM Hudson Community Pool HYC Hudson Yacht Club LACH Arrondissement de Lachine, piscine parc Lasalle MWAC Montreal West Aquatic Club PIN Club Aquatique de Pincourt Aquatic Club PVPC Piscine Village Pointe-Claire RPRA Riverside Park Recreation Association SENVL Senneville SHORE Lakeshore SIDE Lakeside Swimming Club/Club de Natation Lakeside VAL Valois Citizens' Association VIK Viking- Lakeside Heights Recreation Association WAC Windermere Aquatic Club WLRC Western Lachine Recreation Centre WSTMT Westmount Municipal Pool

My second family

As cheesy as it sounds it's the truth. At the age of I knew I wanted to become a lifeguard at the pool I loved so much.  It began with getting my bronze medallion, bronze cross, and then standard first aid, A.E.D, and lastly nationals. It was my first year as a guard at the pool, it's definitely something I will never forget. I saw each and everyone of them everyday for the entire summer, including my own brother. My future intentions with lifeguarding in the to eventually make it up an assistant manager, or manager position. The job itself is time consuming and tiring but in the end it's rewarding to see the improvement of the swimmers you taught. I've learnt a lot about myself at that pool. I plan to use what i've learned at the pool and apply to my own life.