Learning how to breathe to maximise your swim, is one of the first techniques you should harness. Not only will the correct breathing technique keep you relaxed, it can help improve your swimming form and speed. To help you improve your form and efficiency, we've put together our top tips to mastering the art of breathing in the ocean and pool.
#1. Relax
When you're relaxed, your breathing will come naturally.
#2. Exhalation is Key
Getting your exhalation right will give you balance, help keep you relaxed and most importantly make your swimming experience easier. So how do you exhale correctly? That's easy. Once you've inhaled and turned your face back into the water you should begin a gentle, but steady exhalation until you're ready to inhale again.
#3. Breathe on Both Sides
Learning to breathe on both sides is important: especially in the ocean when waves may be on one side of your body for long periods of time. Even if you want to breathe one sided on race day, it's a good idea to learn how to breathe on both sides just in case people or waves prevent you breathing on your favored side.
#4. Don't Lift Your Head
If you lift your head while swimming, your legs will drop creating drag. Try to keep your head at about 45-degrees forward.
#5. Don't Over-Rotate Your Head
Over-rotating your head can cause dizziness, a loss of balance and arm cross-over. When you over rotate people often cross their arms which causes a curved shape to your body, making you swim in an S-shape down the pool instead of a straight line.
#6. Breathe in the Bow Wave
When you're swimming you create your own bow wave. This is a natural dip in the water level along side the swimmers face. This bow wave means you don't need to turn your head as far to inhale. Coaches also call bow waves "troughs" or "pockets".
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