02/10/2026
A swimmer can have a strong stroke and still lose valuable momentum at the wall.
One common problem is treating the turn as a pause between lengths instead of part of the race.
A rushed or poorly timed approach can lead to:
• Gliding too far into the wall
• Taking extra strokes before turning
• Slowing down before contact
• Pushing off in a poor body position
• Spending too long underwater before resuming the stroke
A better turn starts before you reach the wall.
Swimmers should learn to judge their approach, maintain appropriate speed, and organise their movement so the turn flows naturally into the push-off.
The goal is not simply to touch the wall and change direction.
The goal is to carry as much useful momentum as possible into the next length.
Try paying attention to your speed during your next few turns.
If you noticeably slow down before every wall, the turn may be costing you more than you realise.
Small improvements around the wall can make a noticeable difference across an entire swim.
AxTremeLab Swim Academy
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