Elbows Up

The other day I was at one of our beautiful mountain lakes in the Cascade range of Southern Oregon. Towering over the water with remnants of winter spotting it’s back, the view of nearby volcano, Mount McLoughlin, takes my breath away.

I welcome the crisp, clear water here at Lake of the Woods, a natural lake, versus the reservoir where we usually swim. Amid the pandemic year with all of my swims cancelled, I savor my once a week lake swims rather than push distance or duration. Sometimes I time a shorter swim, but I often feel aimless and let someone else set a course. On this beautiful morning in this beautiful place we set out to swim with no firm goal in mind. After about 1500M we find ourselves floating and chatting, interrupting the morning quiet. I feel calm, connected, so incredibly grateful.

After our swim-float-chat I decide to inflate my SUP and play around above the water with a second group of swimmers. Once I haul the inflated board lakeside I realize that I’ve forgotten one important piece of equipment — the paddle. For a minute I ponder leaving the board onshore and setting out for another swim, then it hits me: I actually have two built in paddles, one on each side!

I knew I wouldn’t be catching any waves, but today I would paddle like a surfer. At first I struggle to keep up with the swimmers and I reconsider doing what I know — swimming! Then I decide to play with my paddles. Instead of just my hands, what if I engage the whole surface area from my elbow to the tips of my fingers? I start making better progress.

I caught up with a few of the swimmers and glide past as I keep my elbows high and engage the water with each paddle stroke. Flying across the surface of the water, I realize that being on an inflatable board was like having the best posture imaginable! My paddles easily lever the board over the water.

I often see swimmers drop their elbow and sweep their hand close to the body, petting rather than engaging the water — and who can blame them, this is an easier path!

Practice bending your elbow as soon as you can, and pushing as much water as you can, behind you. Use the entire length from your elbow to your finger tips as your paddle. Keep your elbows up to lever yourself over the water. Swim aware; notice if you drop your elbow and ‘pet’ the water.

I invite you to try paddling while laying on a board if you have, or can borrow, one. It doesn’t allow you to sweep under your body and gives you a great opportunity to practice keeping your elbows up!