If Sara is all alone when she reaches a buoy, she often uses this turn, which combines freestyle and backstroke.

Here it is again in slow motion.  As she passes the buoy, she takes a freestyle stroke with the arm that’s closest to the buoy and keeps that arm extended as she rolls to her back.  She then takes a backstroke pull with that lead arm... and a backstroke recovery with the other arm... and then rolls to her stomach to resume swimming freestyle. 

Here it is again.  Freestyle stroke with the arm closest to the buoy.  Keep that arm extended as she rolls to her back.  Backstroke recovery with the other arm and then roll to resume swimming.  

If other swimmers are near you at the buoy, it might actually be faster to go wide around the buoy and avoid all the kicking and erratic movement.

The point is:  Practice your buoys!  This is fun to do in the pool, and will really build your confidence for race day.


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Sara Turn