Flying Carp Swimming

03/16/2025

Hello Swimmers:
We have our regular starting time on Tuesday at 6:30 PM.
Northside CP HS has a home team water polo game on Thursday March 20th so there will be a late start at 7:00 PM (hopefully).
Also a reminder that the same date is taco Thursday at Lindo Mchoacan, so the workout will be a bit shorter, but not by much.
Next week is spring break week at Northside CP HS so there will not be any workouts.
Comments encouraged.
REZ

03/01/2025

Hello Swimmers:
Just a bit of advance notice for the month of March.
There will not be any workouts on Tuesday March 25th or on Thursday March 27th. The pool is closed because the school is closed for spring break.
However Jamie C. our team social secretary wants to remind all of you that Thursday March 20th will be taco Thursday at Lindo Michoacan after the last winter workout.
The team workouts will continue in the same vein as the past several weeks, with the emphasis on improving the four IM strokes, as well as overall swimming endurance.
Comments encouraged.

REZ

01/26/2025

Hello Swimmers:
Since we have been progressing on the individual 4 swim strokes through the autumn sessions, we are now moving into IM territory.
Important factors in a fast and correct IM swim, are the three conversion turns, fl to bk, bk to br, br to fr.
As review I am attaching the links to the videos of these conversion turns for your viewing.
fl to bk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZTGFpBa4cI
Two hand touch must be simultaneous and visible to the official.
bk to br:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGROwNmQXJU
You must remain on your back until you touch the wall. br to fr:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob1tlAfUJOs
Two hand touch must be simultaneous and visible to the official.
There are variations to these turns which you may know, and which are also legal turns. Ask me.
Comments encouraged.
REZ

FARTHER AND FASTER

Comprehensive breakdown of the breast to free open turn for the Individual Medley.

01/13/2025

Hello Swimmers:
We continue with our progressive workouts from before the holidays.
A reminder that all FCS swimmers will swim at the 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM time for winter/spring.
Make sure you are renewing your 2025 USMS/IM/FCS membership so you can swim in the workout. You should already have received notice.
Send me a copy of your new card; they always don't. I need this before Tuesday.
If you do not register for 2025 by the beginning of the winter/spring session, expect to be removed from the notice list.
And remember to bring your money to pay for the winter/spring team fee, which mostly pays for pool rental.
If you are a new swimmer, you have one free workout before you join the team.
Let me know when you are coming so I can get you through security.
Comments encouraged.
REZ

FARTHER AND FASTER

01/05/2025

Hello Swimmers:
Just a reminder that the winter session begins on Tuesday January 7th at 6:30 PM.
All FCS swimmers will swim at the 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM time for winter/spring.
Also make sure you are renewing your 2025 USMS/IM/FCS membership so you can swim in the workout. You should already have received notice.
Send me a copy of your new card; they always don't. I need this before Tuesday.
If you do not register for 2025 by the beginning of the winter/spring session, expect to be removed from the notice list.
If you are a new swimmer, you have one free workout before you join the team.
Let me know when you are coming so I can get you through security.
Comments encouraged.
REZ

FARTHER AND FASTER

12/28/2024

Hello Swimmers:
Attached is a copy of the winter/spring handout.
This is the same as the autumn version with the exception of the later workout time, which has been temporarily transferred to Swedish Fish.
They were in need of additional swim time since losing their time at another pool.
So FCS swimmers will all swim at the 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM time for winter/spring.
Also make sure you are renewing your 2025 USMS/IM/FCS membership before the end of the year so you can swim in the workout. You should already have received notice.
Send me a copy of your new card; they always don't.
If you do not register for 2025 by the beginning of the winter/spring session, you will be removed from the notice list.
Comments encouraged.
REZ

12/17/2024

Hello Swimmers:
We will have our regular workout tonight at 6:30 PM.
Thursday December 19th is the final autumn workout also at 6:30 PM, which means Taco Thursday at Lindo Michoacan right after the workout.
Also make sure you are renewing your 2025 USMS/IM/FCS membership. You should already have received notice.
Send me a copy of your new card; they always don't.
If you do not register for 2025 by the beginning of the winter/spring session, you will be removed from the notice list.
I am in the process of finishing the winter/spring session pool time schedule. I expect it will be the same as right now, but I'll send everyone notice before yearend.
Comments encouraged.

REZ

12/05/2024

Hello Swimmers:

We continue with breaststroke.
Make sure you take time to watch the videos, which I believe are very helpful in understanding the timing of the whole stroke.
First of all is the video on the "catch in breaststroke."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3CJ1FFMbR4
Next is the video with emphasis on the kick (bend at the knee - not at the waist; narrower back thrust).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDAtxok09Vs
Now we put them together, the TIMING of the full stroke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTNST5xGVTk
The videos may include the breaststroke pullout, which some of you have already mastered (with or without the dolphin kick), but the emphasis this week is on the swim.
Also 2025 renewal of USMS/IM/FCS registration is open. I have received copies of renewals from Kathy and Stephanie.
Amy, Kelsey, LInda and Laurie are shown as having renewed for 2025 but I need copies of your renewals. Thanks in advance.
I'll see some of you at the Evanston swim meet on Sunday.
REZ

A great coach recently said that the biggest problem with breaststroke is "the kick." THis confirms out belief that working on when and how you initiate the...

11/14/2024

Hello Swimmers:
Attached is another copy of the handout for the Welles Park adult swim meet on Sunday November 24, 2024.
FCS has done this meet several times before, but not since COVID.
Lots of fun and the price is right -0-.
As before we sign up as California Park pool, since Welles Park has their own swimmers.
I've only heard from a few of you, and I expected more participants because it's free and fun.
Also as a heads up, the following is the holiday schedule of pool closings, so you can plan accordingly:
Thanksgiving break: Tuesday November 26th and Thursday November 28th
Christmas break: Tuesday December 24th and Thursday December 26th
New Years break: Tuesday December 31st and Thursday January 2nd
Comments encouraged.
REZ

11/08/2024

Hello Swimmers:
I know all of you have just been waiting for me to begin with the butterfly sets.
The trick I have played on you is that we have already been doing the preliminary fly drills since the first workout this year.
Think of all of the dolphin kicking we have swum, both in kick-only drills and in stroke-with-dolphin kick swimming.
Now we are prepared to add the front end entry and sweep to the kick and body motion.
As a start, take a look at the fly video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfH_9obReCo
There are a number of online fly videos to be watched, but this is the most direct, with a good view of the entry and sweep, along with the timing to the dolphin kick.
On Tuesday we will start where we left off, by introducing the whole fly stroke from the existing drills.
Comments encouraged.
REZ

Setting up a good butterfly starts with something easy, letting the hands stay soft on the entry.Why do it:Focusing on allowing the hands to softly enter, an...