Instructor Spotlight Series Episode 3: VALERIE!

This is Valerie's second summer as an instructor at SLSS.  Valerie, like every single SLSS instructor, has competitive swimming experience, which is why SLSS is the BEST place to learn how to swim, improve strokes, and/or gain swimming endurance.  Every Monday throughout the summer a new episode of SLSS's Instructor Spotlight Series will post to illustrate why SLSS is the best swim school in the Sugar Land, TX area.  

What is Streamline?

Webster’s Dictionary definition of the word streamline is: a teardrop line of contour offering the least possible resistance to a current of air, water, etc. In swimming terms, streamline is a body position in the water that produces the least amount of drag, resistance, and turbulence while you swim. It takes countless practices to perfect the art of being streamlined in the water. Top Olympic athletes like Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, and Natalie Coughlin have the tightest streamline positions the sport has ever seen. Being streamline can make or break your race, event, or stroke all together. During a competitive race, if you are not in a close to perfect streamline position, your stroke falls apart right when you need it the most. Streamline position can be the easiest or hardest thing to learn in the sport of swimming. You have to have flexibility, relaxed shoulders, and core strength to keep your body from breaking perfect streamline position. Below is a picture of Michael Phelps in perfect streamline position. As you can see, his head is tucked tightly in between is biceps, his core is flexed in a manner that would help him not break stroke, and his eyes are pointed down to the black line of the pool. Also, his flexibility is incomparable to many other swimmers, which took him years of stretching, exercises, and training to reach this point.

Example of Perfect Streamline: Michael Phelps

There have been many races when I broke perfect streamlined position and went into a sloppy stroke. There are very few instances when a swimmer can muscle their way through a race and come out of it satisfied with their time. When a swimmer breaks streamline position their race is more likely to end in defeat and/or a poor performance. Like I said before, the top swimmers in the world have perfected the art of streamline position through hard work, patience, and dedication. Sometimes it takes athletes months of training to get one step closer to achieving their goals. In the end, it’s the satisfaction of success that drives swimmers further.


Written by: Crosby Johnson

SLSS Instructor Spotlight Series Episode 2

SLSS Instructor Spotlight: CHARLIE

Sugar Land Swim School has THE BEST swim instructors in the Sugar Land, TX area.  Our instructor spotlight series illustrates why Sugar Land Swim School is the best place to learn how to swim!

SLSS Instructor Spotlight Series Episode 1

SLSS Instructor: LILY

Sugar Land Swim School has THE BEST swim instructors in the Sugar Land, TX area.  Tune in each Monday throughout the summer to find out why!

Instructor Spotlight Series Premiere: NEXT MONDAY!

SLSS Instructor Spotlight Series Premiere: 
Monday June 4th


The SLSS Instructor Spotlight Series will highlight what makes Sugar Land Swim School the best swim lesson provider in the Sugar Land area: the INSTRUCTORS! Every Monday, starting next Monday June 4th, SLSS will upload a new episode featuring an interview with a SLSS instructor. Check the blog, facebook, or youtube channel to view each episode!


Also, Happy Memorial Day!  SLSS thanks all past and present members of the armed forces who protect our great nation - the best nation on Earth - the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!  Thank you for your service!

Online Registration Summer 2012

We have a new registration procedure in place for this summer.  It will increase efficiency and allow you to register at any time of the day from your own computer.  The steps are outlined below.

FIRST TIME USERS

1. Find a class that fits your schedule based on the swimmer's age and ability.  If none of the posted schedules fit your schedule, email sugarlandswimschool@gmail.com.

2. Click the "Register" link to the left of the class.

3. Fill out the Registration form.  

4. To add more people from your family who want to sign up for a class, click the + sign next to Student #2.  

5. You will then be able to add a class for Student #2 by clicking the "Search" button.  Add Student #3, #4, #5 if needed.

6. Enter your credit card information.  We accept Visa or Mastercard.  If you do not have a credit card, please email sugarlandswimschool@gmail.com to discuss an alternate form of payment. 

7. Click "Submit."

8. You will receive 2 confirmation emails.  1 will come immediately after you hit "submit."  The other email will be sent when I confirm your registration in our system.  Save these emails. They include your class schedule.

RETURNING CUSTOMERS

1. If you want to register for more classes later in the summer, you must sign into the
Customer Portal.

2. The first time you sign in, click "I don't have or don't know my password."

3. Enter the email address you used when you registered for the first time.

4. Once you receive the Portal Password, Login with that password and your email address.

5. Inside the Customer Portal, you will be able to view your class schedules and register for more classes.

As always, if you have any questions, please email sugarlandswimschool@gmail.com.

How To Swim Backstroke Without Sinking

Many beginner swimmers are afraid of Backstroke because of their fear of sinking.  Floating on one's back is a scary concept for some beginners but is the first step that must be learned before attempting Backstroke.  The floating sensation is second to none and takes awhile to get used to.   Therefore, when learning how to swim Backstroke, swimmers must allow plenty of time to acclimate to floating on their back.  Swimmers should be able to float comfortably and unassisted before attempting to swim Backstroke.

Once the ability to float is accomplished, the next step is to learn the kick.  Using a kickboard is very helpful for beginners.  Kickboards help swimmers get their hips up on top of the water, which is crucial to prevent sinking.

Once swimmers are comfortable kicking on their back with a kickboard, swimmers should practice kicking on their back without a kickboard in order to have more success when the arms are added.  Swimmers should simply remove the kickboard from their hands and kick on their back with their arms in the same position.  Swimmers need to practice this until they can make forward progress by only kicking on their back.  In order to make forward progress with the kick, legs should be straight, toes should be pointed, and the kick must be rapid.  Always make a splash with your kick.


Swimming Backstroke without sinking can be accomplished through the series of methodical steps outlined above.  If you find yourself sinking once you add your Backstroke arms, go back to the root of the problem: you are not floating correctly.


A great drill to practice if you are having problems with sinking while swimming Backstroke is the 6-beat kick drill.  Take 6 kicks per 1 arm pull.  Keep one arm at your side and the other arm stretched back above your head on top of the water.  Kick 6 times, then switch your arms.  Now your other arm is by your side and the other one is stretched back behind your head on top of the water.


Always remember to RELAX.  You can't float unless you're relaxed.