Sidestroking

[suzanne86]

One of my favorite swim strokes with or without bifins or monofin is sidestroke. For those with vision problems or breath-holding limitations, it is the ideal surface swim stroke. One can practice dolphin kicking with bifins or monofin, and with or without a tail. Of course, practicing the dolphin kick with bifins or monofins means not doing the arm motions of the full stroke--propulsion is with the dolphin kicking only--and thus it is good practice. The lead arm is held out straight in front of you, and the trailing arm is held straight by the side--but not touching--one of your upper legs. It is very relaxing, and works your core. How many of my mer friends here include sidestroking as part of their workouts?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Whenever I do that, I crash into the lane ropes!

[KayNS]

I've noodled around a bit swimming on my side. I don't worry a whole lot about form. I like watching my tail when I swim on my side because it reminds me of a shark.

[suzanne86]

Jaffa — It would really be fun sharing a lane with you! :-)

[AniaR]

I like to side stroke an dhave my fluke come out of the water like a shark fin and make the jaws soundtack haha

[Madison MerFaerie]

Whenever I do that, I crash into the lane ropes!

Me too!

[suzanne86]

You mers are way cool! :-)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Underwater side swimming is way more fun than surface. I'm less noticeable and no smashing into lane ropes!

[suzanne86]

Lane ropes help me see where I'm going. Guess the black lines on the bottom of the pool serve the same purpose--but I wouldn't be able to see them if I'm sidestroking. :-)

[Mermaid Strega]

I really enjoy side stroke. I don't worry about form much either, and I use the lane ropes and lines on the pool bottom to guide me. I like seeing the tail undulate in the water that way. It's fairly mesmerizing. It's also a swim form not a lot of people at our pool seem to use so it attracts more attention than I like, so I typically do it when the pool is mostly empty.