50m DNF (and no arms) in 23s

[trux]

I wonder how many of you remember this swim from the OG 1996 in Atlanta. Since the rules did not limit the underwater distance it in that time yet, Hill Taylor swam the entire length of the 50m backstroke sprint underwater (using dolphin kick and no arms) in 23"10, beating the rest of the field by almost 5s. The time of 23s is probably faster than most of us can do with fins. Have a look at it, it is amazing:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4py9HjKuvQ]YouTube - verry fast underwater (dolphin kick)[/ame]

(found on free-diver.ru)

 

[Kars]

Great find, I wish we could see his UW swim technique up close.

I've been looking for a underwater side camera shot of a mono finner doing a 50m sprint, to dissect and study the technique, but I've not found such video yet. Anyone can help me with that?

Here's a compilation of Phelp's free stroke technique, with a bit of UW dolphin swimming, including a very cool side/ underwater shot!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax77_hHq9Dc&feature=related]YouTube - Michael Phelps freestyle multi angle camera[/ame]

 

[trux]

Just a correction: the swim was not in 1996 in Atlanta, but rather recently - in 2009 on a competition in Texas. The guy knew it was against the rules; he just wanted to test how fast he can go There is an interview with him here:

http://www.floswimming.org/videos/c...6447-231-in-the-50-back-for-hill-taylor-kinda

 

[Fondueset]

That is amazing!

 

[dimitris33]

WTF!!!! This cant be real!!!

 

[mystiach]

Yep, FINA had to introduce the 15m rule in the 90s when a lot of the guys were spending most of the swim underwater, there was shortcourse WC swim by Michael Klim that completely obliterated the WR and they decided enough is enough... Fly kick underwater is the one of the fastest ways to swim!

This clip is of Natalie Coughlin, good analysis with real footage after...

 

[pehtran]

There is an interview with him here

I agree with him: they should make it an official discipline - it is spectacular. I wonder though whether underwater swimmers could beat the freestyle 50 meter record.

 

[aris ioannidis]

In the US, they use the term SDK (streamlined dolphin kicks, or underwaters) and they train seriously on it to get faster off the walls after each turn. It is the fastest "stroke" with the exception of freestyle (this is why in 50m freestyle sprinters do not stay too long underwater). It would be nice to have it as a new event - problem is it may be hard for spectators to watch.

 

[rafacuatic]

Amazing technique!
Viewing these videos may be more effective in DNF using dolphin kick instead of the classical breaststroke leg kick?
Rafa

 

[aris ioannidis]

would not think so... certainly much much faster but with high price - oxygen consumption is very high and would be really hard to reach 100m

 

[aris ioannidis]

also the breastroke kick is needed to recover your arms to the front position

 

[dimitris33]

i have tried to add one dolphin kick immediately after the breastroke and seems to be working well on speed but because of the extra movement I think I'm loosing on relaxation. Maybe is just a matter of practice...

see the light extra dolphin kick undulation on 2:40 - 2:45 after the breaststroke (this is a CNF but I have tried this in DNF)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbrQScLAcGM&feature=player_embedded#]YouTube - Topi Lintukangas - The Amazing 60m Dive[/ame]!

 

[rafacuatic]

I usually use three arm strokes and two dolphin kicks in between every 25 m.
I feel more relaxed and less loss of speed than with breaststroke kick.

 

[Maximus1980]

Tried to do that on my training and failed, only about 15 m. It is not easy, really. The oxygen comes out, no relaxation. It is very hard and this guy is really cool, I think he could be a good freediver.