Tip of the Week: Swimming with Water Jets

January 5, 2009

Ever been in a pool and feel like you are being pushed backwards by a wall of water?  In some pools, water jets are conveniently positioned so that a current is created in a single direction.  Thus, you feel like you are going a lot faster in one direction of the pool, and a lot slower in the other.  You will feel this effect more in the outside lanes (closest to the wall), than the middle lanes.

The jets serve a critical purpose of circulating water throughout the pool in order to ensure even mixing of chemical additives (like chlorine) and removal of bugs.  However, it is tough to swim against current.  You can count on swimming slower in a pool with significant jets, even though you get to go faster in one direction.  Working in current versus no-current is equivalent to cycling a distance on a hilly versus a flat course. 

Many pool jets are adjustable, meaning you can change their direction by a few degrees by manual movement.  Even a slight adjustment can make a huge difference in surface current and swimming speed.  It is ideal to adjust the jets down if at all possible, and/or straight outwards.  If you are interested in cheating, it is optimal to point the jets closest to the wall towards the wall at both ends of the pool.  This makes it easier at the end of the length (when you are most tired), and you don’t lose as much during a wall push-off.  It is like a free downhill bike ride without having to ride back uphill, every single length of the pool. 

Before you start playing with the jets, be sure the pool staff is accommodating.  They are ultimately responsible for safety and cleanliness of the pool, and they may have a reason for placing the jets where they are.  But usually, the movement of the jets by a few degrees isn’t a problem, especially if they are adjustable to begin with.  Now you know everything you need to know about water jets in a pool.  Until next time, happy training.

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