Here are 4 simple tips to swim straight

Do you struggle with swimming in a straight line? Maybe you find yourself zigzagging back and forth, or swimming off course altogether. Well, fear not! The secret to swimming straight is within your reach. In just a few simple steps, you can improve your swimming technique and achieve a straighter, more efficient stroke.

There are several tips to correct your imbalances and to swim straight. 1) maintain your body alignment, 2) keep your head still, 3) use a symmetrical stroke and 4) use a reference point.

Are you ready to take your swimming to the next level? If so, read on! In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about how to swim straight, including common mistakes to avoid, and drills to improve your technique.

I am someone who has struggled with swimming in the past. I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to feel like you’re not making progress. But trust me when I say that with a little bit of practice and patience, you can master the art of swimming in a straight line. So let’s dive in!

Tips to swim straight

Now, there is of course a difference between swimming in the pool, having sight of the black line below you. And jumping in open water, with barely no sight and reference points where you are at. Even the smallest stroke and body corrections will result in getting you off-track. 

When I started my first sprint triathlon, the only training I had was in the pool. Starting in the brownish water with arms and legs all over me, was not the ideal context to swim straight. I went from left to right, not knowing where the buoy was, and ended up last in my leg. 

If you are experiencing the same, here are some tips to improve your navigation.

Tip 1: maintain your body alignment

The first step to swimming straight is to focus on maintaining proper body alignment. This means keeping your body straight and streamlined in the water, with your head, shoulders, hips, and feet in alignment. 

A common mistake that many swimmers make is to let their hips and legs sink, which can cause them to veer off course. To avoid this, engage your core muscles and imagine that you’re swimming along a straight line, with your body following the path of the line.

Keep your core engaged by pulling in your belly button slightly. And keep your feet on the surface by kicking on an easy tempo. Don’t let them drop down, this increases your resistance in the water. Resistance can be decreased by putting on a wetsuit as well. Here is how to best store a wetsuit.

Tip 2: keep your head still

The next key element to swimming straight is to keep your head still. Keep your head in line with your upper body, look straight down towards the bottom of the pool. Let the water support the weight of your head.

When breathing, don’t lift your head, this will interrupt your body position. Just rotate it to the side while keeping your head in line with your body. This will help you maintain a smooth, steady stroke and stay on course.

However, in open water it is required to scan your environment and check if you still swim straight. So for that you need to tilt your head out of the water. The pitfall for a lot of swimmers is that they tilt their head that much out of the water, that the legs and hips start sinking. The key is to let your eyes and mouth get out of the water. Just enough for you to see where you’re at and take a breathe. But not too much so the legs start sinking. 

Tip 3: use a symmetrical stroke

Another important factor in swimming straight is using a symmetrical stroke. This means that your left and right arms should be doing the same amount of work. With your hands entering the water at the same time and your arms pulling through the water with equal force. 

To achieve this, focus on maintaining a steady, rhythmic stroke and keeping your arms parallel to each other as you swim.

Tip 4: use a visual reference point

Use a visual reference point, such as buoys in open water, a building, a big tree, as a marker to help you stay aligned. 

Another reference point can be the person just in front of you. When you are competing in a triathlon event, the best way to know you are going in the right direction is to draft. Which means to follow the person’s feet just in front of you. 

Training drills to improve your technique 

To improve your technique and practice swimming straight, there are a few drills that can be particularly helpful. You can do this in your trainings. Want to know when to start with training as a beginner? Read this.

One is to swim with a pull buoy, which is a buoyant device that you hold between your legs to keep them afloat. This allows you to focus on your upper body technique and alignment. Without worrying about your legs sinking or veering off course.

Another drill is to swim with a kickboard. This can help you develop a strong, symmetrical kick and improve your overall balance in the water.

Another is to practice swimming with your eyes closed. This can help you develop a better feel for the water. And become more aware of any imbalances in your stroke. 

Finally, be sure to take breaks and rest when you need to, as fatigue can cause you to lose focus and start drifting off course.

Final words

Always work on improving your technique and mastering the art of swimming straight. But remember to be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. With consistent practice and a positive attitude, you’ll be swimming like a pro in no time!

On the other hand side, if you think swimming is not for you, here are some alternative multi-sports without swimming.