What are the benefits of the flume?

A precise swim analysis from three different camera angles allows the athlete to visualise his or her complete swim technique for him- or herself or the first time. Since filming is from three perspectives- from each side and from below- an all-round picture emerges which enables the swimmer to see what the complete movement looks like under water. Using this evaluation, the swimmer can work out technique training together with a coach, allowing effective work on his or her swim style.

Breathing is a big challenge, especially for beginners in front crawl. Using the air bubbles, the flume can be used to identify optimally whether the athlete is breathing properly, whether inhibited breathing is present (mostly in women) or whether breathing is too strong (the swimmer breathes in or out more. But the correct technique and coordination are also important components of an efficient crawl style. Swimmers often do not notice their own faults. The comprehensive video material helps to identify the weak spots and so permanently improve swim performance.

A further plus point of the swim flume is the possibility of direct „poolside" coaching. The coach is a maximum of 2m from the swimmer and can give immediate instruction and tips using a microphone. The athlete can thus make a significant improvement in performance within a short training unit.

The images and video recordings can be taken home after the swim analysis.

Which athletes would benefit from the flume?

Roy Hinnen has already successfully coached over 500 athletes in the flume. The athletes come to the swim analysis with a great variety of requirements:

• Triathlon rookies who wish to optimise their swim style.
• Ironman participants who want to test the efficiency of their neoprene suits.
• Triathletes working towards qualification for Hawaii.
• 70.3 competitors who are aiming for greater power in the swim start in competition.
• Swimming beginners wishing to overcome their fear of water.
• Professional athletes chipping away at improving their swim times.

The swimming style in this is of little importance. Every swimming technique can benefit from analysis in the flume:

• Front crawl
• Breaststroke
• Butterfly
• Backstroke

How is the analysis carried out in the flume?

The first step that our coaches carry out with the athletes is to check whether the athlete is swimming „with their head" – that is, over-thinking things when swimming - or whether „swimming feels like it’s right “.

It doesn’t matter if a swimming style looks perfect. Only one thing is important for correct swimming: Is the technique efficient in respect of the athlete’s abilities – in terms of flexibility and application of power.

If a swimming style looks natural, then that is a big plus!
There are various methods for testing the athlete’s individual feel for water:

• Swimming at different flow speeds: can the swimmer adjust his or her technique to that?
• One-armed swimming: is there a strong/weak side?
• Leg-kick using a swim board with different flow speeds: how long can the athlete keep up this drill?
• Leg-kick in backstroke: what is the hip stability of the athlete like?
• Race pace swimming: how many leg-kicks are needed to be effective at race speed? What is the effect of this on oxygen supply and lactate formation?

The constant flow speed of the flume allows precise analysis of whether the athlete will also be effective over a long swim (e.g. in the full distance). At the same time, the weak spots for the athlete towards the end of the swim will be teased out.
Through a precise evaluation of the video material, faults can be rectified, raising the athlete to a higher level of swimming.

How is the breaking point defined?

If the best performance of a swimmer is, for example, 1:30 min/100 m, then the swim style is analysed from three perspectives at a flow speed of 1:27 min/100. The result is a clear visualisation of the „breaking point“ – the limit of the maximum swim speed due to technical ability. On the basis of these findings, the swim performance can be significantly improved through the correct technique step by step to 1:27 min/100 m. The analysis is repeated after 2-3 months.

Many top athletes swear by the possibilities offered by the flume

Lots of national and international leading and professional athletes have already used the Horgen flume to analyse their swim style to the finest detail and successfully improve their swim performances.
These include:

• Daniela Ryf
• Ronnie Schildknecht
• Ruedi Wild
• Sämi Hürzeler
• Martina van Berkel
• Cameron Wurf
• Gino Deflorian
• Martin Hohl
• Jolanda Annen
• Jan van Berkel
• Boris Stein

For a long time, swimming in the flume was the preserve of the professional athletes. Today, though, any athlete can enjoy the opportunities and benefits of the flume.

Make an appointment today for a trial swim!

In addition, Roy Hinnen offers lots of swim seminars and neoprene test swims in the Horgen flume.