Backstrokers No Longer Have FOMO

FOMO: noun. Is to have anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere.

Otherwise known as Fear Of Missing Out, which has been the case for myself and most backstrokers I know.

Once upon a time, there was a point in the swimming world where every stroke had an even playing field. We all jumped on starts or messed up on turns and we all disqualified on a silly mistake that may have just been poor eyesight by the Officials. However, nobody really complained because it was all fair. Our sport was never about science or technology. It was about hard work and talent, and yes, maybe a really tight LZR.

Until one day, I walked into a meet and saw the fin. The backboard for all three strokes to use as a way to push off of the block quicker and more efficient.

And the equality of the sport was over. My FOMO instincts kicked in and I felt as though my event was being punished. The fin looked fun and helpful. And yet, I was still slipping on some really old pad that had no grip. It was all unfair.

All other events had faster starts, and starts became a thing of science, no longer talent. Of course though, backstroke was left out to dry. We got the pad, but you cannot put your toes over the edge… and I always thought “BUT THE PAD IS USED FOR TIMING!!…Not for backstroke starts.” Regardless of backstrokers, the pad would be there. And do not even get me started on the Omega pads.

If anyone remembers Elizabeth Beisel at summer Nationals in 2014 in the 200 back, she slipped off the start and her legs went straight down. Poor girl needed to qualify for the World Championship (which she did in the 400 IM) and because of the slip, she basically started the event from a dead stance. She ended up motoring through and getting sixth in the event. Which tells you she would have placed much higher if it was not for her late start.

Until about a year ago at Summer Nationals in San Antonio, the wedge was finally made legal. Backstrokers were able to get some help and were caught up with the rest of the sport. Someone who I owe a lot of my mental sanity to (who mostly likely saw Beisel slip) decided to make the backstroke wedge legal.

I can only speak for myself, but having talked to backstrokers as well it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. The momentum you can get is quicker, the height and speed is greater and not to mention, you don’t have to jump in the water panicking and only thinking “please don’t slip.”

I personally put it at +2 because I like to have my toes more out of the water. The numbers allow for swimmers to choose where their feet go, and have the support of the wedge. Backstrokers feet are no longer dictated by the slip, and we can place them where we feel confident at.

Sure, it takes some getting used to, but practice makes perfect in all things swimming. At NCAA this March, we were allowed to use it. I did not see or hear of anyone slipping, and there was a sense of confidence on the pool deck from all backstrokers. I can only imagine how much this will help backstrokers at the Olympic Trials and Olympics.

Regardless… we finally got some assistance and respect! Backstroke is a hard enough stroke as it is and no matter how fast you are, the entire race can be over from one toe slip. Now everyone has FOMO on how great the backstroke wedge is. So thank you USA Swimming for giving backstrokers the credit we deserve!

 

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JONATHAN W WASHBURN
7 years ago

When I swam in college we curled our toes over the ledge. (Except for a couple of years when we were allowed to stand in the gutter leaning over the block.) Last time I checked, the pool ledge was still there, requires no brains and no preparation, and it costs nothing. Maybe there was some sort of injury risk I have not heard about, but curling toes over the ledge seemed to work fine for me and others. I just went to Masters Nationals in Greensboro which is my first meet where the wedge was available. I had no backstroke other than IM this time, but I did briefly check it out during warmups while dodging the other fifteen swimmers… Read more »

Vince Harris
7 years ago

WEDGes for everyone !!!!!

Apart from a few “old school” commentators, the reaction to the Backstroke Start Wedge has been largely positive. Certainly up around 80/20 in favour.

The plus points number many (no slip / launch pad / fun to use / dramatic explosive starts / positive innovation etc)

Unfortunately, the negative points also number many. (COST / Falls off the block / requires tutorial for official to use / Colorado require installation of deck anchors which add to cost / Omega requires Omega Start Block which doubles the cost. Etc etc).

Why is such a simple problem being “solved” by such complicated (and expensive) solutions.

In Ireland, we believe in keeping things simple.
@WEDG_ie… Read more »

Vince Harris
7 years ago

Hey Swim Swam,

Any reason you keep taking down my comment ?

Ta. Vince @WEDG_ie

Dan Hemenway
7 years ago

A great tool for belly uppers everywhere. Outstanding.

swimmer123
7 years ago

I got to use the ledge at junior nationals last winter at the university of Texas and it was amazing !! I personally have a very average start and the ledge really helped and gave me an excellent push and worry free start ! Hoping to see them at all the pools in the next couple years!!

TMK
7 years ago

Unfortunately it can only be used +2 or -2 legally fo some swimmers, neither height actually feels right in terms of leg position, so it can create a horrible start until it’s mastered. And for certain swimmers, the only chance they get to use the new wedge is a huge cut or selection meet. Personally, I feel as though it’s legal to use a starting by wedge for diving at any number setting it should of be the same for backstroke wedge.

Eddie Rowe
Reply to  TMK
7 years ago

The Colorado version doesn’t have presets or numbered settings. It’s continuously adjustable. Makes “knowing your number” moot, but makes more sense for the varying heights of swimmers.

Greyisthenewblack
7 years ago

Why don’t we just allow toe curling again? Hands have to be on bars of blocks. Save everyone a bunch of money and starts are good.

BackstrokerLCM
Reply to  Greyisthenewblack
7 years ago

Not against that but I really like the wedge

Eddie Rowe
7 years ago

I got to use the wedge for the first time at USMS Nationals last weekend. Reviewing the video I couldn’t believe how much height I got on the starts. Just the confidence of knowing I wasn’t going to slip was huge. The devices are also very intuitive – I didn’t use them in warmup and was still successful during my heat. Total game changer.

coacherik
Reply to  Eddie Rowe
7 years ago

I agree as to their effect, but the ones at UT at Winter Jrs were difficult for swimmers to navigate. Many of the swimmers didn’t take the time to watch others use it, then got in the start lanes to late to have an extra start or two. Even with one in the WD pool, there were still issues. It was very difficult for many to pull it down, while holding on to the bar, set it at the right height with both feet, set the catch lever and pull up for the start. A finals heat was pulled down several times, one of the guys just couldn’t get it, then another who was set had an issue the third… Read more »

Eddie Rowe
Reply to  coacherik
7 years ago

Oh Absolutely. The Colorado ones seem a little more user friendly. It does take some coordination to be sure.

David Berkoff
Reply to  coacherik
7 years ago

Coach Erik.

You must be an Omega plant. My team helped develop the Spectrum auto-retract wedge that was used at UT Jrs. It’s actually rather simple to use and is FAR better than the Omega system that requires the swimmer to manually adjust the height before each race (causing delays) and requires the timer to lift the wedge out of the water so as not to interfere with the race. Moreover, the Omega wedge had the nasty habit of falling on the heads of athletes if not properly anchored on the block.

We road tested the Spectrum wedges with my 6-8 year old swimmers for several months trying to improve the system and make the wedge SUPER EASY to use.… Read more »

coacherik
Reply to  David Berkoff
7 years ago

Nope, sorry Coach Berkoff, no Omega troll here. I too was at the meet, you can look us up: Heartland Aquatics. We’ve spoken at times, much of which originally stemmed from USA-S in Dallas when the APA was originally passed. I speak of your Perisol story often..

That’s what I saw. My kid figured it out, because we took the time to do it well in advance of her 100 back. All I know is what I saw on a few occasions, swimmers not setting a lever and struggled getting their feet up. It did happen during prelims more often then finals.

I’m not denying the technology’s greatness, as a former backstroke I am jealous of the kids who get… Read more »

Martinfamily
Reply to  David Berkoff
7 years ago

David, David….no need for all of that. Mr. Shoulberg wouldn’t be proud. Relax. 🙂

Bob Glover
Reply to  David Berkoff
7 years ago

Mr. Berkoff,

The spectrum backstroke ledges from my experience at Big Tens would slide a little bit downward when pushing off on a few starts, it is entirely possible i was doing something wrong, whereas the Omega ones were solid regardless of what I did.

About Caley Oquist

Caley Oquist

Caley Oquist grew up in a small town in Central Minnesota where she learned to swim at the age of four. She found her passion to write when her mother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine and has been writing ever since. Apart from her love for …

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