Finding the perfect gift can be tough. I personally dislike giving "useless" gifts, items that look nice but just sit in the back of a closet gathering dust. If you are hunting for a gift for a swimmer, why not give them something that will actually make them better at their sport? Whether it's fo...

Every few years, a revolutionary piece of swim gear is launched with promises of free speed and record-breaking performance. One of the most famous examples was Speedo's Fastskin3 "racing system." While new technology is exciting, it often obscures a fundamental truth: for 99% of swimmers, the sec...

One of the toughest things to learn in swimming is a proper effective and efficient kick. Many coaches can tell you that having a great kick is the essence of fast swimming, however, they also struggle with teaching the proper kicking technique. No wonder though, the right kicking movement, wh...

Getting more propulsion during a swim is a huge problem for many swimmers, and even advanced individuals shouldn't stop exploring their stroke for potential improvement. If you read this swimming blog regularly, you might notice I do not recommend using too much swim gear unless it has a particula...

Roaring speed boats, slowly churning fishing barges, a crazy youngster on jet skis, all of these have one thing in common: they are a danger to swimmers. When you do not have the luxury of swimming in a protected zone, staying visible is your number one priority. While a brightly colored swimmi...

I try not to live by too many rules, but when it comes to kickboards (or swimming boards), I have one: Do not use them when you are learning to swim! Kickboards can be a huge impediment to your swimming progress. Ok, that’s not entirely true:). Kickboards do have their place in training...

I have already discussed proper body position while swimming freestyle and the drag forces that act upon your body on numerous occasions on this blog. However, the reality of it is that it is very easy to say, "swim relaxed with good body position", but a bit more difficult to actually perform...

If you’ve taken a few swim lessons or spent time around pools, you’ve probably heard of the phrase “feeling for water.” Some swimmers seem to instantly know how to grab the water, while others (even after years) struggle to generate propulsion. This “feel” often seems innate, but where there is...

Safety often takes a backseat in swimming. We have life vests and armbands for non-swimmers, but for competitive or fitness swimmers, there was nothing that didn't ruin your stroke, until now. The 360swim Buoy is a revolutionary device that keeps you safe without hindering your performance. It's...

Over the last decade, motion-controlled video games have exploded in popularity. But can swinging your arms in your living room actually have anything to do with learning how to swim? Back in 2011, Microsoft released a game for the Xbox Kinect called "Michael Phelps: Push the Limit," one of the fi...

To cap, or not to cap? That is the question for many swimmers. The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on your hair, your goals, and where you plan to swim. This guide will walk you through the pros and cons, help you choose the right type of cap for your needs, and even show you...

I’ve had a few swimmers comment on this blog about their stroke rhythm, and as it happens, I managed to get my hands on a new product called the Wetronome. This small, simple device can help you refine your rhythm, timing, and stroke rate, acting as a metronome in waterproof form. Quick J...