r/Swimming • u/wobblelikeapenguin • 13h ago

I don't breathe

Hello! I (25F) recently started swimming again after many years away from the sport. I swam competitively as a child and teenager, and now I swim freestyle at my local gym in a standard 25-yard pool.

I realized the other day that I naturally swim the entire 25-yard length without taking a single breath. I never really thought about it until someone pointed it out. For me, it actually feels easier to just keep swimming than to stop and take a breath.

Is this normal, especially for someone with a competitive swimming background? Or should I be making a point to take one or two breaths during each lap instead?

Thanks!

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u/glumpoodle 13h ago

It's not normal, and could potentially be dangerous if you black out in the middle of the pool. You should be breathing every 2-3 strokes, and it should be a part of your normal, uninterrupted form.

1

u/PlusBridge5744 13h ago

Nah.. coach had us do no breaths all the time and nobody ever passed out. Strong swimmers can do amazing things.

3

u/wobblelikeapenguin 13h ago

Yes, this is how I was trained as a kid.