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Swimming training for lifeguard pre test
Posted on 1/26/20 at 10:21 pm
Posted on 1/26/20 at 10:21 pm
I turn 50 this year and I’m in decent shape. I work out 3-5 times per week, 6’ 190lbs. I run a few 5k’s per year. But, swimming is my downfall. I’m signed up to take a lifeguard class in mid March. Pre req is swimming 300 yards. I swam 50 today (down and back) using my best freestyle stroke and could not catch my breath. I really don’t know where to start to train for this other than just try to swim 300 yards (6 down and backs) about 3-4 times per week and stop when I need to and catch my breath and then keep going. Hopefully I’ll get better and be able to do the full 300 without stopping. I’ve also considered taking a few private lessons to work on my stroke. Any suggestions?
3
Posted on 1/26/20 at 11:19 pm to MeTarzanYouInsane
Just swim. 300 yards is not that far. You will build up endurance very quickly swimming a few times per week.
Try to focus on swimming slowly. A 300 yard swim which is not for time should be pretty effortless. If you are getting winded after 50 yards, chances are you are flailing about and just making it much harder than it has to be. Check out some YouTube vids on freestyle stroke technique and do some interval drills.
Also worst case you can switch to a sidestroke or something when you get winded.
Lastly, not trying to be an arse, but why are you trying to become a lifeguard if you can’t swim?
Try to focus on swimming slowly. A 300 yard swim which is not for time should be pretty effortless. If you are getting winded after 50 yards, chances are you are flailing about and just making it much harder than it has to be. Check out some YouTube vids on freestyle stroke technique and do some interval drills.
Also worst case you can switch to a sidestroke or something when you get winded.
Lastly, not trying to be an arse, but why are you trying to become a lifeguard if you can’t swim?
Posted on 1/27/20 at 6:17 am to Putty
Can’t swim was not framing it up correctly. I’m very confident in the water and have no problem treading water for a very longer period, quickly swimming 25 meters (could probably do most of it without coming up for air), and diving to the bottom of a 10 ft pool to retrieve objects. But farther distances seem to be an issue. I completely agree with your comment regarding technique. I’ve been watching some YouTube videos and most everything I’m doing is incorrect. That’s probably a great start. They even have some breathing drills and tips that should help.
My kids are going to a summer camp this year and they are short handed on pool staff so I’m volunteering to help out for the 2 weeks they are there. I have no issues at all covering the area of a 25 x 50 meter pool but swimming 300 yards at once is an issue right now.
I’ll practice technique for sure. Thanks -
My kids are going to a summer camp this year and they are short handed on pool staff so I’m volunteering to help out for the 2 weeks they are there. I have no issues at all covering the area of a 25 x 50 meter pool but swimming 300 yards at once is an issue right now.
I’ll practice technique for sure. Thanks -
Posted on 1/27/20 at 7:30 am to Putty
All of this.
To OP: I have been swimming since I was an infant. Like child abuse style baby underwater with pics to prove it (I guess that was a thing in the 70s-80s). I was on swim teams and they made us swim a mile in a gross lake in Boy Scouts. No prob.
I started swimming for fitness 3 decades+ after I'd really done much besides recreational swims. And I was embarrassed by my lack of endurance and comfort with my stroke. And this was at a time when I could run a marathon.
I just kept at it and started working on aspects of my stroke, and now I can really put in the miles effortlessly. It's really crazy how your body adjusts. You need to swim a few times a week to get there in 1.5 months though.
And I think it's commendable to get lifeguard cert. Just please stick to shallow pools, if you're having to dog paddle, OP. J/k. Sorta.
To OP: I have been swimming since I was an infant. Like child abuse style baby underwater with pics to prove it (I guess that was a thing in the 70s-80s). I was on swim teams and they made us swim a mile in a gross lake in Boy Scouts. No prob.
I started swimming for fitness 3 decades+ after I'd really done much besides recreational swims. And I was embarrassed by my lack of endurance and comfort with my stroke. And this was at a time when I could run a marathon.
I just kept at it and started working on aspects of my stroke, and now I can really put in the miles effortlessly. It's really crazy how your body adjusts. You need to swim a few times a week to get there in 1.5 months though.
And I think it's commendable to get lifeguard cert. Just please stick to shallow pools, if you're having to dog paddle, OP. J/k. Sorta.
This post was edited on 1/27/20 at 7:34 am
Posted on 1/27/20 at 7:32 am to Putty
Dp
This post was edited on 1/27/20 at 7:32 am
Posted on 1/27/20 at 7:47 am to MeTarzanYouInsane
quote:
My kids are going to a summer camp this year and they are short handed on pool staff so I’m volunteering to help out for the 2 weeks they are there.
Got it. Learning CPR, basic pool safety, how to spot a kid in trouble and “rescue” protocol will be beneficial no matter what. Good deal.
I do recommend you continue to work on your endurance even beyond 300yds. Fortunately I never had to rescue a panicked victim, but dealing with that probably makes a 300 yd swim feel like a cakewalk. Obviously you are taking on a responsibility here and want to be confident you can handle such a situation in the unlikely event it happens.
I think you will start improving by leaps and bounds with time in the pool, ironing out technique, and just getting comfortable with the way your body responds in the water.
Best of luck.
Posted on 1/28/20 at 7:14 am to MeTarzanYouInsane
50 year old life guard? ew
Posted on 1/28/20 at 11:11 am to Dipper Jones
quote:
50 year old life guard? ew
If it's the difference between the pool at the summer camp having to severely limit their hours due to being short staffed or me stepping in to help out and keeping it open for the entire camp, then I guess they'll have to get used to looking at a lifeguard with a receding hairline...
Posted on 1/28/20 at 2:39 pm to MeTarzanYouInsane
quote:
Hopefully I’ll get better and be able to do the full 300 without stopping. I’ve also considered taking a few private lessons to work on my stroke. Any suggestions?
Well I think you have nailed it. I train jui jitsu and there is nothing that gasses you quicker than rolling for about 20 minutes straight other than swimming. For that reason, I took swimming lessons and force myself into the pool because my stroke was absolutely horrible before and my breathing wasn't much better. So, take some lessons and get in the pool as much as possible.
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