How to Do a Swimmer's Turn

If you have ever seen a swimming event, such as one of the pool races at the Summer Olympics, you have also seen a swimmer's turn. This is the flip-and-twist maneuver used to turn around in the water as quickly and efficiently as possible. Even if you are not a competitive swimmer, this is a valuable technique to learn, since even in open water it reduces a swimmer's turning radius down to zero.

Instructions

    • 1

      Swim up to about 3 or 4 feet from the wall of the swimming pool.

    • 2

      Take a breath and tuck your head and arms down and under your abdomen following your last stroke. Bend your knees halfway towards your abdomen as well. This will place all of your body except your buttocks underwater.

    • 3

      Flip over so your feet make contact with the wall. Push off of the wall, twisting your body as you are propelled away from the wall so you are back in the prone swimming position, facing down.

    • 4

      Resume swimming by kicking and stroking away from the wall.