Just Starting CSS

[kostvoll]

Hi all,

I have been training now for almost a year - swimming for 6 months. My workout buddy is not interested in the SEALs, and he's an ex-swim team type, so he plows through the pool at a steady clip with freestyle. When we started swimming, I could barely freestyle properly; now I've gotten pretty damn decent. I've got 2.5-3 years yet before I could even enlist/OCS so I figured learning CSS could wait a little yet, but now I guess I realize it can't hurt to start practicing early since the main advice everyone on this site has about swimming seems to be "practice."

(On a side note, I understand why. I used to run cross country, but before I started I was overweight and slow (8-8:30 minute mile time at maximal exertion), and when I graduated high school I could run a 5:10 mile and a sub 9 1.5-mile. All it took was practice.)

Anyway, back on track now. What I am wondering is, what is the best way for someone with no access to any ex- or current SEALs to learn CSS properly? Should I just keep watching videos and reading stuff like I have been doing and just give it my best shot in the pool - or should I wait and actively seek someone out who can be a mentor of sorts?

Thanks for your feedback in advance!

[ksmith47]

Get Don Walsh's "Go Swim Combat Sidestroke" DVD. It's very well done.

[kostvoll]

Thank you very much ksmith47. I will definitely look into it and buy it as soon as funds allow it (next few weeks).

Along the same vein though, what would be the best way to try and get in contact with an ex-SEAL who could critique my technique after I have watched this video and practiced a lot? Should I go talk to some NROTC admin types here on campus?

[feelgoodpt916]

Practice makes permanent, so make sure you get the technique right!

When I first started I was very slow and sloppy. The lifeguards/instructors at the local pool I swim at gave me a lot of pointers. Now I can swim for 30 minutes straight and do a 9 minute 500yd right after. Into my second full week of swimming CSS, I had it down.

Also, one of the kids working there just passed his PST. He was also giving me tips. We dubbed him the BEAST. Small dude, but wicked with the workouts. I just hope his mind is as strong.

So, I guess my point is... You don't NEED a SEAL to teach you, just someone who knows what they are doing.

[kostvoll]

Thanks for the input feelgoodpt916. That's very impressive with your 9 minute 500 yard swim; I will be able to do that one day too, but until then, I just need to keep working.

I came up with another question for you guys: while perusing the swimming forum, I cam across a thread that was asking about the differences in the ways CSS is taught by the Navy, Don Walsh, and Stew Smith. I would link the thread, but I can't find it anymore. Bottom line is, the consensus was that the Navy and Stew Smith were the same method, but that the Don Walsh way was slightly different. People recommended going the Navy route... Anybody have any input on that?