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More Muscle Strength |
We run the survival swimming test sequence about once a week in our swimming club.
It is our most popular training because it is great fun and builds a lot of muscle strength if done regularly.
We ask swimmers to wear at least a t-shirt and shorts so it kind of mimics having some workout clothing on.
Training Tip:
Write down your weekly training results.
Add more layers over time.
Compare notes.
You should see improvements.
Pierre Jeanneau, Quebec, Canada
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Powerful Exercise |
Survival swimming is a powerful exercise I do several times a week at a local outdoor pool.
It is much more fun than the gym.
I have to swim in clothes because of my sensitive skin and high sunburn risk.
Thank you for a programme I can use and get fit.
Andrew Tomlinson, Brisbane, Australia
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Confidence and Discipline |
I always liked swimming, but I had never done anything like this.
In my lifesaving class the trainer wanted us to swim underwater fully clothed for one pool length (25 meters).
This was meant to build aquatic confidence.
At first I thought that was impossible.
I could barely move in the water with all these clothes on.
He said the key was to "hug the bottom", not to drift upwards.
Eventually, after a few attempts, I did it. Great!
This course forced me to a discipline I didn't have before,
to set priorities and put things in perspective.
I will keep up this training.
Thomas, Germany
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Swimming Test |
I recently joined a survival swimming class.
On the first day all participants were asked to swim 100 meters (4 pool lengths) using various swimming strokes.
Next we picked up a rubber brick from a depth of 2 meters.
Then followed the float test, which is treading water (or just floating)
in the deep end of the pool for 10 minutes without hanging on to the side.
At the 9th minute, the lifeguard threw in life jackets to put on and swim to the poolside.
I passed easily without getting too tired,
but still, ten minutes pass surprisingly slowly when you're treading water and watching the clock.
Oh, I almost forgot, we had to do it with all our clothes on, which was great fun.
Since then I do most of my swimming training in clothes which keeps me fit.
Joey, Australia
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Summer Camp |
I have helped run the swim programs at a youth camp for several summers.
Very often, the students showed up in their regular clothes for our survival training class.
Some even mentioned they didn't know they actually had to swim, (yeah ok!) and asked if they could still participate.
Of course they could, that is why we are all there.
On most summers, half way through the week everyone came to training wearing regular clothes instead of swimsuits.
We advised them to dress in different clothes so they learn how that affected their activities.
We showed them how the weight of the clothes would help build up their strength,
and how to do the survival clothes inflation.
Aside from all that, not only the instructors but the students as well noticed
how much easier it was to swim in their swimsuits,
but that it is more fun to swim in their clothes.
Michael, Toronto, Canada
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Lifeguard Training |
We do survival swimming as part of our lifeguard training.
It keeps us fit and focused on our tasks, but is also fantastic fun.
Our team often asks for this training.
Training Tip:
Practice as a team and try different outfits to gain more experience.
Go outdoors to lakes or the sea, swim longer distances and play around a lot so everyone has fun.
Chaiya Wut, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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