swimming in the marines

[ramz56]

does anyone know if there is a set standard for the swimming level you have to reach before you finish your training?? is there a test??

[cruicent]

The battle swimming fitness test (think thats what its called? ).
Swimming round the pool, full gear (and rifle? ) then treading water for two mins before handing your webbing (and rifle) to someone and getting out.
I think thats right anyway, might be rubbish.

[darrenrugby18]

i thought it was 3 minutes?

[cruicent]

well there was a lot of I thinks in there, so dont quote me

[darrenrugby18]

not arguing friend, i'll be all the happier if it were 2 minutes, as im shite at treading water, best get down to my local pool

[mfat_man]

not arguing friend, i'll be all the happier if it were 2 minutes, as im treading water, best get down to my local pool

darrenrugby18

Pool?? How about the water at Southsea Seriously guys work at your swimming, I did a lot as a youngster and when I did some sprint triathlons (ideal by the way for PRMC for CV and stamina training) I went back and had some lessons for my front crawl.

With regard to tredding water, don't panic, stay as relaxed as you can, it will help. Make sure you incorpoate this at the end of your swim training.

[JCAP3]

I found this on the POC very hard and buggered up big time. Your legs are totally knackered so its difficult keeping above the surface with a weapon, webbing and kit.

[ali_hire]

Pool?? How about the water at Southsea.

He wants to improve his swimming ability, not die from pollution!

I think they will build you up to your BST so I wouldn't worry if you're not the best swimmer now. Always good to practice first though if you can fit it in.

[Artist]

Pool?? How about the water at Southsea.

I think they will build you up to your BST so I wouldn't worry if you're not the best swimmer now. Always good to practice first though if you can fit it in.

So you Think it's like that hey?
People shouldnt worry if they are crap at swimming?
Have you been to CTCRM?

I bloody doubt it!!!

You do the BST in the first few weeks of training. If you fail it then you will find yourself doing extra swimming lessons and if you still can't hack it then you may be at best back trooped or worse binned. Take it as read lads get yourself down to your local baths and start swimming ASAP!

Artist

[ali_hire]

So you Think it's like that hey?

Yes think. Based on what I have read on here, been told by people who have completed basic training recently and from what I was told last week by the PTI's at Lympstone.

People shouldnt worry if they are crap at swimming?

Please read my wording before you try to stomp it into the ground: I said "not the best swimmer" not "crap". I also went on to mention that it is best to practice if you feel it's an area you need improvement on.

Have you been to CTCRM?

Yes, I was there last week.

Taken from the "Green Bible" : Day 1 (PM) swimming assessment - "This is not a test, just an assessment of your swimming ability. Do not worry if you are not the greatest swimmer or cannot swim at all, we can teach you to swim better if necessary."

I am not trying to start yet another arguement because from what I can see there have been enough of those recently. Much as respect your input on this forum Artist I don't think you should feel the need to fly off the handle when someone makes a statement you don't agree with.

I am by no means a 'newbie' or some 'plank' who professes to know more than he actually does.

And I never post advice or information unless I know the answer or have it on good authority from those that do

[mfat_man]

Take it as read lads get yourself down to your local baths and start swimming ASAP!

No-one can doubt that's a good way forward

[taimos]

If you want to improve your swimming, grab a book called 'Total Immersion'.

IT basically teaches you how to swim properly. I havent read it but my dad has and he taught me what it tells you. He's really fat (BMI of like 32 so he's clincally obese) but a really good swimmer. Im tiny (5'6, 62kg) and im becoming quite a good swimmer from it.

Although i doubt you'll be able to apply a lot of it when you've got full fit on and are swimming, im sure it may be of use.

But a general summary of tips for breaststroke:

Stay flat in the water -get that arse up!
Inhale through your mouth (above water) exhale through your nose (underwater)
Kick arms then legs.
Make sure both legs kick at the same time and do the same movement.
Try and be like a fish.

The other thing you have to do with regards to water in RT is a total regain, which is pulling yourself out of a water tank with all your kit on a climbing up a rope, i think.

But they will teach you to swim if you can't, so i wouldnt worry too much.

[lodgi]

I'm lucky because i've done competitive swimming as a young un and now play water polo, so the swimming bits will be easier for me.

[jarhead]

i did country swimming too, and pretty good swimmer. i can swim underwater 2 lenghts(each length 33 mtrs).

underwater swimming helps lots i found. though i am rubbish at running my swimming great, my arms were my gift my legs my cuse it seems

[lodgi]

Jarhead, i'd like to see that! 2 lengths? And i'm guessing you mean 33yards? Because thats the length they used to make them before metric. Seriously though, 2 lengths underwater? I could manage 1 full 33 yard swim underwater when I was 12, but nowhere near 2 lengths!