When it comes to the must-have swimming gears, one of the most important is swimming goggles. Especially when you are training, this is crucial to keep your eyes wide open as you cruise under the water, making sure that your eyes won’t get irritated. Whether you are doing your laps in an indoor pool or open water, you will benefit from wearing goggles.
With too many options for the best swimming goggles, which one should you buy? To make it easier to reach the right decision, read on and learn from the insights we’ll share.
Benefits of Wearing Swimming Goggles
To start with, let us briefly look at the compelling reasons to use swimming goggles:
Eye Protection: The most important reason to wear goggles when swimming is to protect the eyes from elements that can cause irritation, including chlorine and bacteria. In swimming pools, chemicals used for cleaning can irritate the eyes. The same thing is true when it comes to saltwater and bacteria.
See Underwater: Being able to open your eyes when swimming can be beneficial in more ways than one. It helps you to see if there are other people. If you are in the ocean, you can see colorful marine life as you keep your eyes open when you are swimming.
Wear Contact Lenses: Speaking of being able to see under the water, swimming goggles are also important so that you can wear your contact lenses without worrying that they will pop out of your eyes as you swim.
Improve Performance: When your eyes are free from irritation and when you are comfortable, you will be able to swim better. This makes you more efficient and helps improve your overall performance on the water.
Knowing how to do a flip turn is essential, whether you are an experienced swimmer or someone who is just learning the technique. This skill would come in handy, especially if you find yourself competing against other swimmers in a swimming competition. In fact, this maneuver would be a great addition to your existing set of swimming skills that you can show off to your coach, friends, and family.
If you are looking into how to do to a flip turn, then you are at the right place. In this post, we will be discussing everything that you need to know about how to do a flip turn, including the basics and its importance in swimming. In addition, we also have rounded up a bunch of tips on how you get to improve your flip turns with practice. Now, let’s get on with the discussions.
What is a Flip Turn?
Before we proceed, it is vital that you know what a flip turn is. In case you are not yet familiar, a flip turn is a process of changing your direction at the swimming pool’s wall to be able to stay swimming continuously. For backstroke and freestyle swimming, the process of doing a flip turn entails executing a full somersault on the wall and subsequently, a push-off in streamline. Meanwhile, for butterfly and breaststroke, the process is referred to as open turn.
The flip turn can be done when you are swimming backstroke, freestyle, and kick sets. In fact, there are also several benefits of perfecting the skills. Doing a flip turn makes you swim faster and it is proven to be more efficient, especially if you are competing in a race. To add, constant practice and execution allows you to build endurance, which will come in handy in the future. Lastly, knowing how to do a flip turn ensures that you have a better swim workout, as each time you pause between laps, you are also giving your body a break.
Summer might just be the most popular season for surfing, for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Whether it is just your first time or you are already an old-timer, capturing your best surfboard moves via an action camera is worthwhile. Once again, it is the time of the year where surfers are likely to crowd the beaches, celebrating and vying to document their awesome surfing maneuvers on camera.
In this post, we will be looking back at some of the best surfing moments captured to date. With surf movies as epic as those found below, you surely would get inspired by these amazing surfing moves by famous surfers included in this post. We also hope that as soon as you have finished reading this article, you would pick up your surfboard, go to your local beach, and practice. Now, let us get on with the discussions.
Some of you might think that getting in your kayak and assuming the proper sitting posture is easy. However, you might be surprised that it takes more than just using your common sense. This fact holds true especially for beginners, in which they are most likely vulnerable to rookie mistakes. Sure, sitting properly in a kayak is not a difficult task to accomplish, but as this is your first time, you definitely need some guidance. The best part is that we are here to help you.
If you are curious as to how to properly sit in a kayak, then you are on the right page. Consider yourself lucky as we go about the basics of the proper sitting position in a kayak in this post. In addition to that, we will be discussing how different sit-inside kayaks are from sit-on-top kayaks, allowing you to do the correct process, depending on the kayak that you own. Keep on reading if you want to know more about the topic.
Do you want to know how to improve your swimming turns without any extra training? We swimmers have a mentality that to be better and faster, we need to do more. For instance, we would think that we need to train more, have more sessions in the water, or have the more innovative fabric in our swimsuits. However, as we go on in this post, you might just realize that it only takes a little more mental focus to be able to get better results in your swimming turns.
In this post, we will be discussing the step-by-step instructions on how to improve your swimming turns. We hope that by the end of this post, you get to generate a faster swimming technique, as well as turns that are more efficient. Keep on reading this article if you want to know more.
How to Improve Your Swimming Turns
Probably the easiest way to improve your swimming turns is to start your reps from the pool’s middle section. From there, you can try swimming out to the 12.5 or 25-mark while starting from the center. For instance, you may start in the middle of the pool for your two per rep set rather than doing a one push-off and turn. Here’s what you need to do:
-Get a high stroke rate in your first few strokes. This would be beneficial for you, especially if you are having trouble increasing your stroke rate. You may notice that it may be a lot more challenging to gain more speed because you would not get to reap the benefits of the push-off and the underwater dolphin kick.
-Get an active rest. Most swimmers nowadays could not way any longer for them to float just so they can place their arms in the gutter for passive rest in between reps. With this, it would be a lot more difficult to start mid-pool, especially if you are tasked to doing active rests in between reps, may it be through vertical kicking or treading water.
-Try sprinting into the wall. Doing this set with a sort of a variation allows you to start from five to 10 meters away from the pool then into a sprint to a wall and turn. This would mean that you would not be required to perform a full sprint lap before you hit a turn at high speed.
-Swim with fins. Surely you can perform turns when you are practicing or when you are swimming with moderate intensity. However, when you are racing, things change. You may try swimming and turning at high speed using fins just so you can get used to the velocity. Doing so allows you to be acquainted with the closing wall, especially if you are diving in at the big meet.
-Train in long course meters. This would come in handy, as it allows an easy way for you to get more turn, along with the aerobic benefits and advantages of long course swimming.
-Remember that the way you train is also the way you race. If you want to improve your swimming turns at a race, you should also know how to improve your swimming turns during practice. Remember to do the abovementioned steps each and every day you are practicing.
If you have just completed your certification and training to become a scuba diver, let us congratulate you first. You have now extended your horizons into a new world, which would never be experienced by the majority of the planet’s population. You should consider yourself lucky; knowing that you are about to get a first-hand experience of the wonders of being underwater and that you will be given the chance to explore everything beneath the ocean’s surface.
Probably the best way to become a better scuba diver is a constant practice. It would also be beneficial for you to work your way to improve your basic scuba diving skills. In this post, we will be discussing the things that you need to improve on, along with the scuba diving skills that every diver should master. Consider this post as your guide right after you have completed your training and certification from your dive school. Now, let us get on with the discussions.
Scuba Diving Skills
The terms training, course, and learning may remind you of the bad memories of going to school. However, we assure you that the scuba diving course is also as informative as it is fun. With this, here are some of the basic scuba diving skills that you can improve after you have completed your scuba diving certification. Keep in mind that practice would always go a long way, especially if you are only a beginner in scuba diving.
Hand Signals
Communication is vital when you are scuba diving. After all, how are you going to get a message across to your partner when you cannot speak underwater? In addition, underwater communication equipment can be quite expensive and unreliable. So, why not rely on hand signals instead?
You need to stop daydreaming about talking verbally to your scuba diving buddy and just work your way to learn the basic and common hand signals. However, you must be aware that these signals vary a lot and sometimes depend on the location and the instructor who gives the hand signal briefing. Nonetheless, the most common ones include the “out of air” and the “okay” hand signals.
Gear Assembly, Removal, and Replacement
You surely would not be able to scuba dive without getting your gear ready. When assembling your gear, it might get a bit overwhelming, especially if you come across the connectors and hoses. However, it would be in your best interest to always listen to your instructor when he or she talks about these things. Coupled with the fact that you already have a few dives in your diving portfolio, you will get used to it and you will be on your way. During assembly, make sure that you know how to properly set up your diving gear, as well as the perfect fit for you. Doing so allows you to be in your most comfortable state even when underwater.
Gear removal and replacement also takes skill to do. While scuba divers do not normally take off their gear while they are underwater, it would still be useful to know how to do it in case of emergencies. For instance, you may need to remove your gear if it is tangled in kelp. With this, it would be a major inconvenience for you if you know what to do if trouble arises.
Catching clean and unbroken waves feels completely different from when you’re catching broken or whitewater waves. Catching whitewater waves surely would give you turbulence and bumps, not to mention your surfboard sinking as you try to pop up. Meanwhile, a smoother ride is expected when you catch unbroken waves. If you’re lucky enough, you might even get the drop, which is the feeling you get when you ride from the wave’s crest and then scooting downwards.
Catching an unbroken wave allows a more solid ride and it might also surprise you that popping up actually is a lot easier. In this post, we will be talking about how to catch an unbroken wave, along with some tips on how to execute the maneuver properly. Catching unbroken waves would likely require you to incorporate several skills at once. And if you’re curious about the whole process, then let’s proceed with the discussions.
How to Catch an Unbroken Wave
As mentioned, you are required to bring in several skills when trying to catch an unbroken wave, some of which include paddling, popping up, duck diving, and positioning. Proficiency in paddling is required for you to be able to get past the breaking waves.
The pop up technique is also vital, as this maneuver actually lets you surf. Learning duck diving, on the other hand, helps a lot with getting you in the lineup hassle-free. In addition, it also increases your chances of getting into position a lot quicker. After all, getting into the correct position is key to catching an unbroken wave. Here’s what you need to do:
-The first thing that you need to accomplish is paddling out way past the breaking waves and get into the lineup position. This might seem like an exhausting process, especially if you are a beginner. So, if you feel a bit out of breath or tired, you can definitely take it easy and relax, until you recover.
-Catching an unbroken wave requires you to be physically ready. So, if you feel as if you can sit on your board, you may certainly do so. In fact, the position is likely to provide you with a better view of what’s ahead.
-Timing is key when paddling. While this requires much more practice, you can watch more experienced surfers and see when they start paddling. Doing so allows you to have a better idea when the best time to paddle is.
-When a wave is approaching, ensure that you’re facing the shore, like what you would do when catching whitewater waves.
-Start paddling. It may also be beneficial for you if you look behind you, just so you can judge how much more paddling is required. Keep in mind that when the wave finally reaches you, you should also be paddling at the maximum speed. With this, you’ll also feel that your speed increases as the waves pick you up.
-Then, start to angle your surfboard towards the unbroken wave, preventing you to nose dive and sending you pitching forward.
-You may continue paddling just until you’re very sure that the wave has picked you up. In case you’re not sure even though you have enough speed, try pushing the surfboard as you would do when you’re popping up. This time, however, straighten up while arching your back.
-Lastly, pop up. Keep in mind that timing is essential to catch an unbroken wave. In addition, we’re sure that you’ll get this right with tons of practice.
We’re sure you’ve seen people jumping up and down on a water trampoline. And it would be very rare to see them not enjoying their time while they’re using it. In case you’re not familiar, a water trampoline is a floatable and bouncy piece of water sports equipment you commonly find in lakes and ponds. This equipment is for everyone – kids and kids at heart and most water trampolines are large enough to accommodate several people at once.
Did you recently buy a RAVE Sports Water Trampoline and may not be sure how to set it up? Then, you’ve come to the right place. Not only is this post very helpful in assisting you to set up your water trampoline but we have gone out of our way to ensure that it is also safe for your friends and family to use. After reading this post, you should be able to set up your new RAVE Sports Water Trampoline correctly. Keep reading if you want to know more
Probably the most interesting features of sea kayaks and flatwater are rudders, in which its use is a bit intriguing. Kayak rudders certainly make kayaking, as well as touring, significantly more fun, long as these are used the right way. While most people regard rudders as mechanical devices that turn the kayak, that’s not entirely its purpose. In case you aren’t familiar, kayak rudders keep your kayak moving as straight as possible.
In this post, we will be discussing the kayak technique – the right way to use a rudder. Not only is this device very useful for every kayaker, but it also has other benefits, which will be discussed in the later sections. Hopefully, once you have reached the end of this post, you will be able to apply this new learning when the opportunity comes. Now, let’s proceed with the discussions
Why Do You Need a Rudder?
To be able to answer this question, you must first know the kind of kayak, how it will be used, and in what conditions will it be used. Other factors also include the paddler’s skill level, as well as their personal preferences.
Kayak rudders are normally mounted on the kayak’s stern. When it is lowered into the water, the rudders are then controlled by foot pegs inside the kayak’s cockpit, allowing you to correct your course hands-free. The main advantage of rudders is that you can easily turn them, providing you with better control over weathercocking, in a wide range of water conditions. And when you don’t need to use rudders, they’re often raised from the water, which protects them from the impact, especially during launching.
Simply put, kayak rudders are perfect for kayakers who wish to paddle on open water, which is exposed to waves and wind. In addition, rudders would also be perfect if you have a longer kayak. However, keep in mind that the more you progress in your kayaking, stroking, and paddling skills, the lesser you would want to incorporate the use of a rudder.
If you getting serious about surfing, then you certainly need to perfect your pop up action. Knowing you can land on your surfboard in the right moment not only gives you confidence, but it sets you up for the whole ride on your board. For women, getting the pop up action right would take a lot of practice, on land and in the water. If you’re using your knees to get up, then you need to change that mindset, as we believe that this one is a hard habit to break.
In this post, we will be discussing everything that you need to know about how to pop for women. Body coordination is essential, in which you can improve by being flexible on your hips, as well as developing strength, especially in your core muscles. Doing so allows you to make a smooth transition from the paddling position up to your standing position. Keep on reading if you want to know more
The Excellent Pop Up
You’re reading this post because you’re either confused about what pop up is, you’re interested to know what it is, or you’re struggling with it. If you’re confused, then we’re happy to tell you that there are several ways to stand on your feet during the pop up action. However, you should also be aware that there really isn’t a ‘right’ way because the feeling that comes along with surfing is what we are after. For that matter, all of us want to learn a quick yet consistent way to get our feet in the right places when surfing. As you may already know, different surfers have developed varying levels of flexibility, fitness, and more importantly, body shapes. So, if there needs to be an alteration, then you may try to see if it works out for you.
How to Pop Up for Women
For women, doing the pop up action can be a bit challenging. However, we have compiled a guide that would be very easy to follow, allowing you to perform this challenge with ease. Here’s what you need to do
- Once you have stopped paddling, start by placing your hands on your surfboard. You may do this action as if you’re getting ready to do a press up.
-Then, slide to your knees while you keep your hands on your surfboard.
-Now, try getting your feet up, starting on your most comfortable foot.
-After, use both of your hands to push off the board while you’re bringing your foot up and placing it flatly on your surfboard.
-This time around, your back foot needs to come forward. Doing the same routine as with the first foot, push your hands against the surfboard and then place your foot down.
-Release both of your hands while you bring your arms up for additional balance.
-Lastly, bend both of your knees and keep your eyes up
For women who don’t want to use their knees and whose main goal is to perform the jump up method instead, here’s what you need to do:
-Once you’re in the wave and when you feel the wave pushing you in a forward position, this is now the perfect time to press up, mimicking the plank position.
-At the same time you’re pressing up, you also need to bring your foot forward while you place it onto the surfboard.
-Then, as you’re still in a lunge on the surfboard, your back foot should be in its place, ready to do the next step. Some women find it easier to slide their foot back in its place. However, some also find this one very challenging due to the wetsuit boots.
-After, release both of your hands while bending your knees.
-Finally, keep your eyes forward and get moving
Conclusion
For women,learning how to pop upmight not come as easy as for men. With this, we have written a very detailed guide to help you do this basic maneuver when surfing. When in doubt, you only need to refer to this guide and we hope that we’ve been of great help, especially if you’re only a beginner.Popping up might be challenging for women, we admit, but with practice, we’re sure that you’ll be able to do this eventually.
Getting barreled is probably the most exciting experience when surfing, being encapsulated inside a wave as it pitches and spins while finding safety in a wave big enough to wipe you out in case you make one small wrong move. You also get to see the most beautiful view of the greens and blues, not to mention the brown sands. In addition, you get to be mesmerized by the light at the very end of the wave tunnel.
While we’re not trying to get spiritual here, you probably know the feeling if you’ve seen it yourself. But for beginners, we’re going to take you on a journey on how to get barreled – the right way. In this post, we’ll try to educate you with the things you must know so you can start pulling into barrels, which can certainly be added to your surfing maneuvers in the future. Keep on reading if you want to know more.
The sea continuously proves to be such a breathtaking place to explore – a space here on Earth that has been catching the attention of humans since the beginning of time. With this, probably the best way to enjoy the ocean and its wonders are to learn how to scuba dive. In recent years, scuba diving has been one of the most popular water activities, both for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers. Unlike most water sports, scuba diving makes use of breathing apparatus that contains compressed air, carried by scuba divers, allowing them to dive to larger depths and for longer periods.
In this post, we will be discussing the different types of scuba diving, helping you determine which type of scuba diver you are. You have the absolute freedom to choose which type of scuba diver you want to be and we would be more than happy to help you steer in the right direction. So let us now get on with the discussion.
Why Scuba Diving?
The underwater kingdom is such an amazing place to explore and discover through your own eyes. As mentioned, the best way to do this is by being a scuba diver yourself. Not only would you be amazed by the fact that you have the capability to breathe underwater, but also, the things you’ll see when you’re down there. There could be new species of water animals you could see, as well as shipwrecks that you can explore. While there could be many types of scuba diving, it would also mean that there are different certifications and pieces of training that you need to complete to be certified.
Swim caps, in fact, are primarily designed for swimmers, allowing a significant reduction in hydrodynamic drag while they’re swimming competitively. It features a smooth surface that makes water easily flow over; thus, swimmers can move a lot quicker and more fluid in the water, unlike when they do without one. More importantly, swim caps certainly improve their mobility, helping swimmers perform better, especially in a swimming competition.
In this post, we will be discussing everything that you need to know when it comes to swimming caps. Wearing swim caps not only adds performance benefits, but there are also many other reasons why swimmers don’t compete without one, which will be further explained in another section. If you’re curious, then keep on reading the rest of this post
Why Do You Need to Wear a Swim Cap?
Swim caps do more than just keeping your hair dry while you’re swimming. You might wonder what other reasons swimmers wear one and we’re here to discuss it. Below are some of the few other reasons why wearing a swim cap is necessary:
Swim caps keep your hair out of your face
It wouldn’t be the best idea to let your hair down in front of your swim goggles, only causing you to be blinded in the middle of the swimming competition. With this, you might think of your swim cap as a tool for hair management.
Swim caps keep hair out of the swimming pool
It is rare that people talk about this very advantage of wearing a swim cap. However, you may have encountered at some a point a ball of hair coming through at you while you’re swimming, like an asteroid coming straight to Earth. You may think of it this way – swim caps keep the swimming pool clean.
Swim caps protect your hair from the harmful effects of chlorine
Swim caps don’t completely keep your hair dry, not unless you’re a breaststroker. However, what a swim cap does is that it keeps chlorine-soaked water away from your hair. Chlorine, if you’re not familiar, is a solvent that wouldn’t be best paired with human hair. This is also the reason why swimmers also use a special kind of shampoo to fully get rid of chlorine in their hair.
Swim caps allow you to be more hydrodynamic
As discussed earlier, swim caps keep you hydrodynamic in the water. This is probably the most relevant reason why competitive swimmers wear swim caps – it decreases the resistance and drag in the water. For instance, domed caps provide you with a wrinkle-free swim cap experience, which effectively minimizes your resistance in the swimming pool.
