A guy at the pool deck told me I was breathing wrong during freestyle

He was a retired coach just watching people swim. He said I was holding my breath instead of exhaling constantly into the water. I tried it for 5 laps and didn't feel like I was drowning anymore. Has anyone else had a random stranger fix a huge flaw in their form?

2 comments

2 Comments

baker.riley10d ago

72, the number of laps I swam before realizing I was doing the same thing. Took a lifeguard at my local Y to point it out. He just tapped my shoulder and said "you look like you're drowning." Embarrassing but true. You're close but not quite there. Constant exhale means a steady stream of bubbles, not a big breath hold and then a blast out. If you're still feeling any panic in the water you're probably holding too long before starting to blow out. Try starting your exhale the second your face hits the water. Tiny bubbles the whole time. Gets the CO2 out so your brain stops screaming for air.

reese_taylor698d ago

Oh man, @baker.riley is SPOT ON with that. I used to do the SAME thing - hold my breath, then blow it all out last second like a whale. Felt like I was drowning every single lap. What finally clicked for me was this: I started humming underwater. Like a low "mmmmm" the whole time my face was down. Forces you to let that air out steadily. I also focused on keeping my bubbles SMALL. Not big gulps of air, just a constant tiny stream. Took me three pool sessions to get it right but now I can breathe on both sides without that panic feeling. Life changing advice from strangers honestly.