Chapter 4
Float Like a Log: Eliminating the Dreaded Sinking Legs
With breathing mastered, we can focus on body position without oxygen deprivation clouding our judgment. Picture pushing a smooth log versus a gnarled branch through water-which moves easier? This visual captures the essence of efficient swimming.
Swimmers battle four forces: gravity pulling down, buoyancy lifting up, thrust moving forward, and water's density creating drag. Only thrust helps us; the others work against us. Our biggest challenge is sinking legs-our lungs make our upper body buoyant while our lower body sinks, creating a seesaw effect that increases drag.
Despite common excuses about muscular legs causing sinking, even the most muscular professional triathletes like Cameron Wurf have learned to float properly. The key is understanding that proper body position isn't about strength but technique.
When executed correctly, proper floating technique appears deceptively simple: you'll look straight down with the water line at the top of your head, while keeping your head's back, buttocks, and heels at the water's surface. Your heels should break the water surface with each kick, preventing leg sinking.
The Float Like a Log progression focuses primarily on kicking drills-not for propulsion but for proper body positioning. Even elite triathletes like Lucy Charles and Reece Barclay emphasize that they work on kicking strictly for body position, not speed. The key is learning to kick just enough to keep your heels and buttocks at the surface without wasting energy.
This approach directly contradicts common triathlon advice suggesting minimal kicking. While elite swimmers like Katie Ledecky might use minimal kicking, new triathletes lack the core stability and body awareness developed through decades of swimming. For triathletes, kicking helps lift legs to the surface, reducing drag and the sinking sensation. However, focusing on kicking beyond good body positioning offers low return on investment-it might increase propulsion by only 2-6% while tiring legs for biking.
Chapter 5
Race Like an Arrow: Directing All Energy Forward
With mastery of comfortable breathing and proper body position at the surface, you're already ahead of most amateur triathletes. The final foundation step is directing all energy straight forward.
Elite swimmers maintain perfect alignment-hips directly behind head, feet behind hips, with no side-to-side swaying. Their strokes stay in a narrow channel, entering and exiting the water in roughly the same path. Like pushing a perfectly aligned log through water, eliminating side-to-side movement dramatically reduces drag.
This swaying typically comes from improper hand entry, as all body parts are connected-crossing over the centerline with hand entry forces legs to counterbalance with their own crossover. By maintaining hands in proper channels, you generate pure forward propulsion without wasted energy.
The technique for racing like an arrow is beautifully simple:
• Keep head, hips, and feet in a straight line
• Enter your hand between the edge of your head and outside of your shoulder
• Keep your hand in this same channel throughout the underwater pull
• Always face your palm toward the back wall
Forget complicated "seven phases" descriptions or S-pulls-simply put your arm into the water straight above your shoulder and pull straight back. This approach keeps your body aligned, generates force in a straight line, remains executable under race pressure, and accommodates the limited flexibility of adult triathletes.
While elite swimmers need perfect technique for races decided by hundredths of seconds, triathletes need reliable, repeatable technique that works under stress. The author's own experience proves this-despite having a suboptimal pull that generates force for only six inches of his stroke, mastering these basics allows him to swim 32-minute half-Ironman segments with ease.
Chapter 6
Implementing the System: From Drills to Race Day
To implement these drills effectively, the book provides two distinct athlete prescriptions based on current swimming ability. Prescription #1 is designed for those who can't swim 400 meters continuously without feeling winded-requiring a complete reprogramming of technique from scratch. These swimmers typically display common issues like sinking legs, excessive splashing, or rapid fatigue. Prescription #2 suits those who can swim 400m comfortably but still struggle with sinking legs, inefficient technique, or maintaining form during longer distances.
For Prescription #1 athletes, the recommendation is to temporarily pause regular swim workouts and focus exclusively on these drills 3-5 times weekly for 10-15 minutes per session. This might seem counterintuitive, but continuing to swim with poor form only reinforces bad habits. Each drill session should begin with simple balance exercises, progressing to more complex movements only when mastery is achieved. It takes roughly ten sessions to master a new drill, so frequency matters significantly-two sessions weekly means five weeks to see improvement, while five sessions weekly shortens this to just two weeks. The key is consistency and proper execution rather than duration.
The program provides a comprehensive progressive schedule spanning 43+ sessions, starting with basic breathing drills and gradually incorporating more advanced techniques. Initial sessions focus on fundamental skills like floating and proper head position, before moving to arm movements and kick integration. With just 3-5 short weekly sessions, swimmers can transform their abilities in approximately 8-14 weeks-remarkably quick in swimming terms. Each progression builds upon the previous, ensuring a solid foundation before adding complexity.
For Prescription #2 athletes who can comfortably swim 400m, drills are strategically woven into regular swim workouts, dedicating the first five minutes to technique work before proceeding with the main set. This approach serves multiple purposes: it prevents reinforcing bad habits at workout start, sets the tone for proper technique throughout the session, and forces immediate application of drill sensations into regular swimming. The book emphasizes that this immediate application is the only way to make changes that withstand race pressure. These athletes should focus on one specific aspect of their technique per session, such as catch position or body rotation, allowing for deeper focus and mastery.
The implementation strategy also includes specific warm-up routines, drill progression checklists, and troubleshooting guides for common problems that arise during practice. Regular video analysis or mirror-bottom pool practice is recommended to provide immediate feedback and ensure proper form development.
Chapter 7
Race Day Strategies for Swimming Success
The system prepares triathletes to approach race day with confidence and freedom from common swimming faults. Several race-day strategies can further enhance performance:
A sleeved wetsuit is 100% worth the investment-they make you faster, safer, and warmer by providing buoyancy and preventing heat loss. For beginners, an inexpensive XTERRA wetsuit (around $150) is perfectly adequate. In warm-water races where wetsuits aren't allowed, swim skins offer slight advantages through body compression and reduced drag, though they're not essential.
Most importantly, get in the water before your race if possible-a 5-10 minute pre-race warm-up dramatically reduces panic and heart rate spikes at the start. If water access isn't available, use resistance bands in transition to activate swimming muscles.
For swimmers not yet comfortable in open water, position yourself at the very side of the swim start away from the chaos, or start at the back and begin swimming 5 seconds after the gun. The time loss is minimal compared to having to stop mid-swim due to panic. Comfortable swimmers seeking drafts should only position themselves in the pack if swimming around 35 minutes or faster for a half-IRONMAN.
Contrary to common advice, kicking hard in the final 100-200 meters is counterproductive. The transition from horizontal swimming to vertical running already spikes your heart rate as blood reroutes from upper body to legs. Adding hard kicking can elevate your heart rate so much it might take 10-20 minutes on the bike to recover. Instead, practice "deck-ups" during training-swimming workouts followed by quickly exiting the water and jogging on deck to train your body to efficiently reroute blood flow.
Chapter 8
Essential Gear for Triathlon Swimmers
One of the nicest things about swimming is that the gear required is relatively inexpensive-while a triathlon bike might cost $5,000-10,000, a complete set of high-quality pool training equipment might only cost around $200-300. The gear recommended here is selected specifically for the unique requirements of age-group triathletes, focusing on equipment that enhances technique development and training efficiency.
**Fins/Flippers:** The ideal training fin is 3-5 inches longer than your toes, somewhat pliable with rigid sides for optimal propulsion. The TYR CrossBlade is highly recommended as it satisfies these requirements and costs only $20-30. These fins provide the perfect balance of resistance and mobility, helping develop ankle flexibility and leg strength. Short fins, while popular among elite swimmers, are too advanced for most triathletes and don't provide enough assistance in maintaining proper body position. Long scuba fins, conversely, slow down kick rate excessively and can reinforce poor technique habits.
**Snorkel:** A center-mounted swim snorkel is essential for technique work, allowing swimmers to focus on body position and arm movement without worrying about breathing. The FINIS Swimmer's Snorkel (preferably the older model with clean-out valve) is recommended for its reasonable price and functionality. The center-mount design keeps your head in a neutral position, unlike side-mounted recreational snorkels which can create neck strain and body misalignment. Look for models with comfortable head straps and minimal water intake.
**Pull Buoy:** Though not used in the foundational drills of this system, a pull buoy becomes critical once you develop basic skills and start focusing on upper body strength and technique. The Eney Buoy is recommended for its unique versatility-its two air chambers can be filled with water to create either buoyancy or drag, allowing for progressive training difficulty. This adaptability makes it superior to traditional foam pull buoys, which offer only one level of assistance.
**Ankle Strap:** An ankle strap should always be paired with pull buoy work to prevent creating a pivot point in the body. Using a pull buoy alone creates excessive buoyancy at the hips, giving triathletes a false sense of swimming correctly while actually folding the body in half. The strap ensures proper body alignment and prevents the common mistake of scissor kicking during pull sets. Look for adjustable straps with quick-release mechanisms for safety.
**Mirrored Goggles:** FINIS circuit mirrored goggles work well in both pool and open water conditions. Their mirrored finish reduces glare during outdoor races while remaining sufficiently visible for indoor pool sessions. Look for models with silicon gaskets for comfort during long training sessions, anti-fog coating, and UV protection. It's worth investing in multiple pairs and rotating them to extend their lifespan. Consider different tint options for varying light conditions - darker for bright outdoor swimming, lighter for indoor pools.
**Additional Considerations:** Keep spare goggle straps, nose clips if needed, and a mesh bag to store and dry your gear. For open water training, consider adding a bright swim cap for visibility and a wetsuit appropriate for your local conditions and race requirements.
Chapter 9
Measuring Your Swimming Transformation
Many developing triathletes try these drills briefly before returning to regular swimming, believing that's the only way to progress. However, technique work can yield tremendous improvements-even for advanced swimmers. One elite youth triathlete took six weeks away from his swim squad to focus solely on technique, ultimately dropping his 400-meter time from 5:30 to under 5:00.
The challenge is that it often feels like stepping backward at first, spending time on "kids' drills" in the shallow end. You might even find your times are temporarily slower after developing proper technique. This one-step-backward, two-steps-forward process is normal-as demonstrated in the author's own experience working with Gerry Rodrigues from Tower 26.
Despite feeling he wasn't improving during months of technique work, when the author transitioned to regular swimming, his speeds increased dramatically beyond previous season bests. Even if the pace clock doesn't immediately show improvement, if you're breathing easier, getting your legs higher, and feeling less side-to-side wiggling, you ARE making progress.
Here's a challenge that will yield more improvement than anything else in this book: Write down the first three words you associate with swimming. Then swim a 100-meter time trial and a 1,000-meter time trial as fast as possible, recording your times or distances. Work through this book's swim system diligently, without shortcuts. One month after completing the system and returning to regular swim workouts, repeat both time trials and write down three words that now come to mind about swimming. Compare both your times and your words-the progress in this short period will astound you, but only if you follow the system as prescribed, without modifications.
Chapter 10
Beyond the Basics: The Path Forward
The system presented in this book provides the foundation for triathlon swimming success, but it's just the beginning. While mastering the fundamentals is crucial, there's a whole world of advanced techniques waiting to be explored. Sighting, catch-and-pull technique, pacing, and season periodization are all important aspects of swim training that build upon these basics. These skills are intentionally omitted from this foundational approach to prevent overwhelming newcomers with too much information at once.
Advanced sighting techniques, for instance, involve learning to spot buoys and landmarks while maintaining proper form and rhythm. The catch-and-pull phase requires understanding underwater hand patterns and optimal elbow positioning. Pacing strategies vary from steady-state efforts to negative splitting and surge swimming. Season periodization involves structuring training phases throughout the year, from base building to peak performance.
New triathlon swimmers should focus first on developing comfort and confidence in the water before worrying about these elements. This means mastering bilateral breathing, achieving neutral buoyancy, and maintaining proper body position through various drills and practices. Only when these fundamentals become second nature should athletes progress to more advanced concepts. If you work through this system and continue racing triathlons, these topics will naturally become part of your next development phase. For now, you'll get the best return on your time by working on the basics until they're automatic.
The author's journey from struggling swimmer to competent triathlete was shaped by three exceptional coaches: Matt Dixon of Purple Patch Fitness, whose holistic approach to triathlon training emphasizes the importance of swimming efficiency; Brenton Ford of Effortless Swimming, who specializes in breaking down complex swimming mechanics into manageable components; and especially Gerry Rodrigues of Tower 26, whose innovative methods and extensive open-water expertise have influenced thousands of triathletes through his podcast, coaching platform, and one-on-one work.
The transformation from fearful beginner to confident triathlon swimmer doesn't happen overnight, but it happens much faster than most would believe - typically within one focused season of training. By focusing on these foundational principles-breathing like a dolphin, floating like a log, and racing like an arrow-even the most water-averse triathlete can discover that the water isn't just survivable, it's actually enjoyable. Many athletes who once dreaded the swim portion find themselves looking forward to early morning pool sessions and open water swims. This mental shift from fear to enthusiasm might be the greatest transformation of all, opening doors to faster race times and more enjoyable training sessions.
Remember that every elite triathlete started somewhere, and many came from non-swimming backgrounds. The path to swimming proficiency is well-marked and achievable with consistent practice and proper guidance. The key is patience, persistence, and trust in the process of mastering these fundamental skills before moving on to advanced techniques.
