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I have long been a runner, biker, and consider myself to be a pretty good athlete. I recently have taken up swimming, and while I am not having problem learning the stroke, I am struggling a bit with the breathing. I have good days and bad days, but a lot of the time I start to panic and run out of air, and then start gasping for air. How do I correct this problem?--John Willis, Oklahoma City, Ok
Response from
Dan H., Swim Dad, Masters Swimmer---
I think breathing problems are the #1 issue for beginning adult swimmers. I think for many the problem you describe happens because breathing during swimming (freestyle) isn't "automatic" like it is for those of us that grew up swimming competitively. The breathing motion in breaststroke is more automatic.
I'd suggest that keys are:
- Relax. You may be such a competitive athlete that you are anxious to improve and aren’t patient enough.
- Repetition. The basic process exhale underwater, rotate to the side, inhale, and rotate back needs to be reinforced a few thousand times. If you’re taking 10 breaths a length, that means a few hundred lengths before it starts to feel comfortable.
- Keep it simple. Breathe on just one side. If balance is needed, switch to the other side periodically. But breathe often.
- Swim shorter distances. Swim sets of 50s or 100s where you can maintain good breathing for the entire 50. Don't do longer swims where one bad breath screws things up, and you won’t reinforce bad habits.
