Swimming Technique Misconceptions: Hull Speed

Jul 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Courtney Harnish of the United States competes in the women's swimming 800m freestyle final during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel/USA Today Sports Images

Swimming Technique Misconceptions: Hull Speed

Many people believe that the technique of the fastest swimmers is worth copying, resulting in numerous misconceptions. In reality, even the fastest swimmers have technique limitations, but they offset them with strength and conditioning. The purpose of this series of articles is to address scientifically the technique misconceptions that have become “conventional wisdom,” and to present more effective options.

A longer hull length (i.e., body) is supposedly desirable because hull length is directly related to a theoretical “hull speed” or maximum practical speed for that hull length. The hull speed formula shows that a longer hull length has a higher hull speed. This month’s article explores the science related to the hull speed misconception.

More of this article on pages 14 and 15 of the August 2015 Issue of Swimming World Magazine. The article was written by Dr. Rod Havriluk who is a sports scientist and consultant who specializes in swimming technique instruction and analysis. His unique strategies provide rapid improvement while avoiding injury. Learn more at the STR website—swimmingtechnology.com.

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FEATURES

Katie Ledecky

016 KATIE LEDECKY: FOREVER A STONE RIDGE GATOR
by Annie Grevers
Katie Ledecky was recognized as Swimming World’s Female High School Swimmer of the Year for the second straight year. She is a rare species in the water, continually chasing her own world records. But her herculean swims in the pool are merely pixels in the broad image of her life.

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021 ANDREW SELISKAR: SUPER-HUMBLE SUPERSTAR
by Jeff Commings
Andrew Seliskar earned Swimming World’s Male High School Swimmer of the Year award for his stellar performances at the Virginia 5A Championships. He chased not only his lifetime bests, but also the national high school records in the 100 yard fly and 200 IM, helping his teammates at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology capture their first-ever state team title.

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026 TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
by Annie Grevers and Jeff Commings
The California Golden Bears hit the jackpot in this season’s recruiting wars, as three of the magazine’s four High School Swimmer of the Year runners-up will begin their promising NCAA careers at Cal: Katie McLaughlin, Abbey Weitzeil and Michael Thomas. This season’s other runner-up, Grant Shoults, has one more year of high school remaining.

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031 A YEAR TO REMEMBER
by Jason Marsteller
Within the ranks of California high school swimming, the year 2015 will be remembered as the year “The Golden State” finally held a statewide championship.

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033 HELPING HANDS
by Michael J. Stott
A little cooperation and trust between club and high school coaches can go a long way in helping swimmers achieve their goals.

TRAINING
040 DRYSIDE TRAINING: DRYLAND TAPER
by J.R. Rosania
Last month’s issue provided exercises to develop more power, thereby creating more distance per stroke. This month, our objective is to convert that power into speed.

COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: DAVID MARSH
by Michael J. Stott

012 PREPARING FOR THE PRIZE
by Michael J. Stott
While last month’s article on tapering focused on age group and senior swimmers, the second in a two-part series deals with what works best for college swimmers.

014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE MISCONCEPTIONS: HULL SPEED
by Rod Havriluk
A longer hull length (i.e., body) is supposedly desirable because hull length is directly related to a theoretical “hull speed” or maximum practical speed for that hull length. The hull speed formula shows that a longer hull length has a higher hull speed. However, the formula predicts a hull speed that is considerably slower than current swimming velocity. This month’s article explores the science related to the hull speed misconception.

039 TECHNIQUE: FREESTYLE— FINISH YOUR STROKE

041 Q&A WITH COACH CHRIS DAVIS
by Michael J. Stott

043 HOW THEY TRAIN AMANDA WEIR
by Michael J. Stott

JUNIOR SWIMMER
036 SO, YOU WANT TO BE A CHAMPION? HERE’S HOW!
by Wayne Goldsmith
Here are 10 tips to becoming a champion.Now’s the time to take that first step.

045 UP & COMERS

COLUMNS
008 A Voice for the Sport
046 Gutter Talk
048 Parting Shot

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Swimming Winner
8 years ago

Absolutely love anything like this

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