Master the flip turn without losing speed

A good tumble turn is free speed. Done well, you carry momentum into the wall, flip, and explode off it faster than you arrived. Done badly, you stall, swallow water, and lose every metre you fought for. Here is how to get it right.

Approach with speed, not caution

The most common mistake is slowing down before the wall. You need momentum to rotate. Keep your stroke strong into the flags, take one last full stroke, and let that arm lead you into the somersault.

Tuck tight and fast

Drop your chin to your chest and pull your knees in. The tighter the tuck, the faster you spin. A loose, floppy flip is a slow one.

• Initiate the flip with your head and core, not your arms.
• Keep the rotation compact, like a forward roll.
• Plant your feet on the wall shoulder-width apart, toes pointing up.

Push off on your side

As your feet hit the wall, you should already be on your back or side. Push off hard into a tight streamline, then rotate onto your front as you glide. Pushing off flat on your back wastes the most efficient body position you have.

Practise the flip away from the wall first, in open water, until the rotation feels natural. Then add the wall. It clicks faster than you would think.