Flat-Out Fast
Courtesy of Jorge Paulo Pereira of 3 Iron Sports and organizer of the Swim Challenge Cascais. The flat dolphin is a means to safely dolphin in shallow water.
The second photo above shows the lead swimmers doing flat dolphin dives. These types of dives are used by competitive open water swimmers and triathletes, especially when they begin or finish a race in shallow waters. The dive is purposefully flat with the body extended horizontally and projected parallel to the water surface because of the shallow depth of the water.
The flat dolphin dives helps prevent accidents and is the quickest means to start or finish a race when the depth of the water does not allow easy running. Shortly after entering the water or while coming into shore at the finish or T1 transition, the legs are brought up under the body and a quick dolphin action begins through the shallow water.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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