Water drag refers to the force an object faces when immersed in water. It’s safe to say that frontal drags are water drags. In the opinion of many experts, frontal drag is the number one enemy of swimmers. This is because it usually slows down a swimmer by making it difficult for him/her to swim effectively. It’s worth noting that there are three forms of frontal drag. They include pressure/form drag, friction drag, and wave drag. Here are a few facts about these drags.

Pressure Drag

Pressure drag is the resistance brought about by an object’s shape as it moves through a fluid. Also referred to as form drag, this form of frontal drag is mainly felt by swimmers around the top of their bodies and shoulders when they begin to gain speed. It is safe to say that the larger one’s body is, the more pressure drag he/she faces.

Friction Drag

Friction drag is also referred to as skin friction drag. This drag is defined as the resistance caused by an object’s surface texture as it moves through a fluid. When swimming, one usually encounters this drag due to the water colliding and moving around his/her skin.

Wave Drag

Wave drag is defined as a force that acts on a body moving at the interface of two fluids. It is caused by turbulence in a liquid. When swimmers increase their speed, they always face more wave drag than prior to them increasing their speed. This is because the more the speed, the more the wave drag.

In recent years, many swimmers have been looking for faster ways to swim. To swim faster, you need to reduce the amount of resistance you’ll face. Here are some tips on how you can achieve this.

Keep Your Body Aligned and Head Down

The fact that curved bodies move slower than streamlined bodies is a well-documented scientific fact. While swimming, you need to curve your body a bit to create more propulsion. However, if you want to move faster in water, you have to streamline your body. You also have to keep your head down. By keeping your head down, you’ll easily reduce the amount of wave drag you’ll face.

Engage in Core-Strengthening Exercises

To keep your body aligned, you must have a tight core. To get a tight core, you must frequently engage in core strengthening exercises. This being the case, if you’d like to move faster while swimming, it’s in your best interest to strengthen your core.

Wear Modern Racing Suits

In recent years, advancements in technology have led to the invention of modern swimming suits. Swimming suits are known to reduce frictional drag. Thus, for faster swimming laps, you should contemplate getting a modern swimming suit.

You can also reduce frontal drags by shaving your body hairs, adopting tight but not aggressive kicks, and reducing your arm crossover. Given that these tips have been tried and tested, following them would be in your best interest.