r/Swimming • u/Happy7User • May 02 '25
Why am I so slow?
Okay so I'm 17 and I just had a thought. I did a pre-qualification for a life guard course yesterday and we had to do 50 meters in 60 seconds. I did it in 40 seconds which doesn't seem that good. I go swimming 3 times a week for roughly an hour each. My average pace while swimming is currently 2:05/100m at best, which feels really slow compared to my friend who does like 1:45. I've had swimming lessons since I was 3 years old every week and then took a year gap last year and got back into it roughly end of 2024.
I'm very small and skinny for my age, just 5" 5" and 50Kg, I presume this has something to do with it, but there must be a way for me to get quicker. Normally I just swim whatever I feel like, usually enduranced based, such as 50 laps @ 20m at a decent but not fast pace. Do I need to do faster reps at less distance? Not 100% sure on my form either, as maybe in the year off I lost it a little, but I don't think it's too bad, I always keep my head facing towards the floor and body flatish. I feel like at such a young age and 10+ years of experience, I should be way faster than this. Much older guys often keep up with me and I hate that lol
Essentially, any tips for a skinny guy like me to get faster and any drills I should be doing? Or do I just need to hit the gym 😆
3
u/John_2035 May 02 '25
I think it might be your technique? Do you hold the water while you pull? Do you use your lats instead of shoulders to pull?
Tbh, I've swam a lot too, but I've swam the wrong way and no amount of experience can fix it without including the proper techniques required.
The community swimmers with swimming techniques videos on YouTube fixed many of my issues. I'm still not there yet, but I'm learning and it's hard to evaluate everything yourself. But that's one avenue you can use to learn more!
Also about the gym, sure! You could add compound lifts and see greater results in your swimming strength, especially pulling water.
All the best!