LIFESTYLE

Anna Britten discovers a good swim is about much more than racking up lengths.

In a private, Romanesque indoor swimming pool in Bath’s leafy Combe Down, I’m contemplating how the things we learn as kids become personal gospel forever – even if those things are cobblers. When I was a nipper, I learnt the following about swimming: 1) it doesn’t really matter how you do the strokes as long as you can peg up and down Yate swimming pool 64 times and make a swimming float out of your pyjama bottoms; 2) you should keep your fingers clamped together at all times to go faster; 3) going fast is really important.

Within a few minutes in the water with instructor Trisha Harbord of Swim & Smile I have, slightly regretfully, relinquished all these beliefs. Trisha teaches adults of all abilities – from terrified beginners to competitive swimmers, and lots of people like me, who are reasonably confident but feel their style is deeply flawed and not conducive to regular exercise. “Adults who can swim were often poorly taught as children, or have taught themselves and done the best they could. This often leaves room for improvement. Even those who have had some tuition in the past are likely to find that they benefit from a fresh perspective on their swimming.”

An academic turned Alexander Technique teacher, Trisha uses the Shaw Technique – a swimming style which applies the principles of AT to the water and was developed by Steven Shaw, a former competitive swimmer who now teaches around the world. “By the late 1990s, Steven was based in London and had set up teacher training in the Shaw Method,” says Trisha. “I trained with him in 2001 and set up Swim & Smile because I wanted to share with others my passion for moving through the water. The Shaw Method aims to help people swim with style, power and grace, but never at the expense of ease.”

The main problem for many adult swimmers – and certainly for me – is breathing. More than three strokes of ‘proper’ front crawl (i.e. face in the water), and I’m helplessly chugging chlorine. I demonstrate this, and Trisha leads me into a series of floating-and-breathing exercises that make me rethink my whole rush-and-gasp approach.

“Anxiety or poor breath control may lead us to overbreathe, causing shortness of breath. Getting our mouths out of the water to breathe may lead us to scrunch up our necks and backs, impeding our forward progress. Even apparently competent swimmers may retain a level of unease about the water which they push themselves to overcome.”

I’ve always been quite pleased with my backstroke – which saw me own two consecutive Gloucestershire Primary Schools Swimming Galas, I might add – and Trisha admits there “are some nice things about it”. But she also convinces me that by bending my arm on the ‘push’ and spreading my fingers slightly, it’ll be better. “You’re covering more distance now,” she says, when I try it. “The people who win races are those who take the fewest strokes.

“Most swimmers can reduce the effort they’re making to swim, without reducing their speed. The key is to work with the water, rather than against it, and once you have it on your side, swimming will become a more pleasurable and playful activity.”

Our hour is quickly up. Trisha estimates it’d take me around 10  lessons to develop a front crawl style I was really proud of. It’s something I’ll certainly consider. As Trisha says: “Swimming promotes suppleness, strength and stamina. No other activity provides such high levels of all three of these key components of fitness. Because the body is free from gravity in the water, there’s also less strain on the joints than in weight-bearing forms of exercise. Swimming is excellent, too, for people with most lung conditions, as breathing out gently against the resistance of the water is very good for your lungs.

“But to get the full health benefits of swimming, it’s important to do it well. Faulty stroke patterns may cause strain or injury. Difficulties with breathing can reduce swimmers’ ability to continue for as long they would like to. Those who hold their heads constantly out of the water are putting stress on their necks, shoulders and backs.

“Most importantly, though, the water can be a wonderful place to be; but if you feel you’re struggling with it, that reduces your incentive to swim. The less you need to fight it, the more you’ll enjoy it. Keeping fit will stop being a chore, because you’ll long to be in the water.”

SWIM & SMILE WEB: WWW.SWIMANDSMILE.CO.UK

Trisha’s 10 Top Tips for Swimmers

1 Never hold your breath.

2 Put your face in the water on the out-breath – holding your head out can cause strain in your neck and back, and make your hips and legs sink, so you’re less streamlined.

3 Breathe out gently on the out-breath – the water should simmer, not boil.

4 Breathe in and out through your mouth, not your nose.

5 Wear well-fitting goggles to improve vision, prevent disorientation and protect your eyes.

6 Don’t rush. Constant frantic movement will not make you swim faster. Aim to make each stroke longer rather than more hurried.

7 To avoid strain on the neck and back in breast stroke, don’t kick with your head out of the water.

8 In front and back crawl, you can make yourself more streamlined by rotating as you swim (side – flat – side).

9 To breathe in front crawl, roll from the hip and turn your head. Never lift it, as this strains your neck and makes your hips and legs sink.

10 Focus on how you perform each movement while you swim. You’ll improve your technique, and increase your enjoyment of swimming. You’ll never be bored in the pool again.

Make a splash

Why not test out your skills at your nearest lido while it’s still warm enough?

GREENBANK POOL www.greenbankpool.co.uk

The Clark family firm of shoemakers bequeathed this pool to the town of Street in the 1930s, and nowadays it’s appropriately situated next to the Clarks Village factory outlet bargain mecca. There’s a 30-metre by 12-metre heated outdoor main pool plus an adjoining children’s pool and a separate ‘wet play’ area which features fountains and water jets. Attractive lawned setting.

LIDO BRISTOL www.lidobristol.com

Gorgeous 1849-built lido, restaurant and spa which re-opened in November 2008, and offers a very posh splash indeed. Do check admission system before setting off – there are restrictions on non-members and kids.

PORTISHEAD OPEN AIR POOL http://portisheadopenairpool.org.uk

As featured in the last series of ‘Skins’! A fine example of 1960s modernist architecture built into the cliffside, with far-reaching views over the Severn estuary, this complex boasts a well-maintained 33-metre heated main pool, a toddlers’ paddling pool, tiered leisure/sunbathing area and a café.

SANDFORD PARKS LIDO www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk

Lido in classic 1930s style right in the heart of Regency ’Nam. Kiddies' paradise, with slides, a children's pool, paddling pool, two play areas with table tennis and basketball alongside the whopping 50-metre main pool (slightly heated). Lovely landscaped gardens for sunbathing/picnicking, heated changing rooms, disabled access throughout. Fab café, too.

WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE OPEN AIR POOL www.wottonpool.co.uk

Small but perfectly formed, with great views of surrounding countryside.

Copyright Anna Britten 2011