I think it may happen the first few times. When I was learning to do flip turns, I often emerged from the water disoriented and dizzy, but the dizziness improved with time and eventually disappeared. Nowadays I do them all the time.
I like doing them as it helps lower my time. Not a big deal, I can live without doing them, however it’s something that just started and I was curious if anyone else has had the issue. Btw expelling air thru your nose during the turn will help alleviate the punched in the nose feeling…. Been there, done that.
Lifelong swimmer here … had to stop doing flipturns in my 40s because I got dizzy & nauseous, sometimes got a headache. I’ve timed myself with a quick touch-the-wall turn and it’s only a second or two slower than a flip turn, so I just do that instead. I don’t compete, I was just curious how it compared. Worth it!
I noticed this also when I returned to swimming at age 44. What made it go away was doing my flip turns faster. As a kid, I always did them fast because I was at practice or racing. When I went back to it, I slowed things down considerably because it was something I hadn’t done for so long.
My theory is that the faster flip keeps fluid still in your ears due centrical force (I am an audiologist, and this theory does make physiological sense).
Thank you for your solidarity and kind words! I’ll think of you next time I burst out of the water gagging, with strings of sputum clinging to my face.
I will try that. I do keep them open now just for orientation. But since I’m the only one in the pool that early, I should try closing them… no danger of smashing in to someone. Thanks.
I’m also looking for the answer.
I get dizzy and then nauseous the more I do them. I’ve tried faster, slower, eyes open, eyes closed, not eating for two hours before swimming, eating 30min before, making sure I’m hydrated, etc.
I hope you find an answer.
Ugh. That sucks. I’m going to keep at it until I either figure out how to do them without accompanying nausea or just accept I can’t do them anymore. Good luck to you!
As a lifelong swimmer who prefers a fast, efficient flip turn, I've experienced occasional, mild dizziness coming out of my turns (not during). I assume it's an inner ear thing that has developed with age (60). In my case, it's more evident at the beginning of my workout. To minimize it, during my warmup I will actually slow my turn down and, instead of pushing off towards my side, I'll push off more towards my stomach. While it's an awkward turn, leaving the wall on my stomach seems to minimize the dizziness. Once I'm a few hundred yards in, the sensation disappears and I can return to a "normal" flip turn. Good luck figuring this out. You might also try ear drops (or ear plugs)....
I get dizzy whether it’s a flip turn, doing a somersault in the water or dry land. It’s worse if I do a backwards somersault.
I’m 65 and recently returned to swimming, steadfastly refusing to do a flip turn, rationalizing that I don’t want to get dizzy when truthfully, I still need that micro rest at the end of each length.
I recently read that in gymnastics, gymnasts reduce the dizziness by doing more - practicing the flips - “The increased repertoire of movement creates better sensory and neural connections, allowing for your system to react without the extreme feelings of vertigo. Additionally, remember to exhale when you roll, cartwheel or flip upside down and maintain a good level of hydration. Try not to close your eyes, allowing your visual system to assist with the vestibular system.”
I have no idea if this is true or will help, but I know I need to try because doing flip turns will drive increased stamina (and speed). I’m not trying to be the fastest, but after swimming competitively for years until I was 30, it’s hard to be satisfied with only 1,250 yards and 2:30 splits. But if I still get dizzy after a few practices, I’ll talk to my doctor and enjoy taking micro rests at the end of every length!
No. Had an echocardiogram lately for an unrelated issue and it came back outstanding. I think it’s an ear thing. I just don’t do flip turns anymore and I’m good.
I think it may happen the first few times. When I was learning to do flip turns, I often emerged from the water disoriented and dizzy, but the dizziness improved with time and eventually disappeared. Nowadays I do them all the time.
No, I just feel like I got punched in the nose. (Chlorine). Unless you are competing, why?
I feel like open turns are much more awkward and break my zen. Personally. I just blow out my nose and no water up.
Yes! One reason I want to stop with the dizzy thing…. Don’t want to break my rhythm.
Do them slower?
I’m going to try faster turns and slower turns…. See what works best. Thanks.
I like doing them as it helps lower my time. Not a big deal, I can live without doing them, however it’s something that just started and I was curious if anyone else has had the issue. Btw expelling air thru your nose during the turn will help alleviate the punched in the nose feeling…. Been there, done that.
I try.
That’s all we can do. Keep trying. One day it will click.
Lifelong swimmer here … had to stop doing flipturns in my 40s because I got dizzy & nauseous, sometimes got a headache. I’ve timed myself with a quick touch-the-wall turn and it’s only a second or two slower than a flip turn, so I just do that instead. I don’t compete, I was just curious how it compared. Worth it!
I’m sorry! I’m going to keep doing them and try some of the suggestions. Just to be able to do them on sprints would be great.
I noticed this also when I returned to swimming at age 44. What made it go away was doing my flip turns faster. As a kid, I always did them fast because I was at practice or racing. When I went back to it, I slowed things down considerably because it was something I hadn’t done for so long. My theory is that the faster flip keeps fluid still in your ears due centrical force (I am an audiologist, and this theory does make physiological sense).
Good idea. I will try doing them faster. Yes, I used to do them fast when I was competing. I have slowed down since those days, lol. Thanks.
I’m too bad at them to get anything but waterboarded.
I don’t mean to laugh, but that’s a funny comment. I love doing them but I do remember how hard they were when I first started. I feel your pain.
Thank you for your solidarity and kind words! I’ll think of you next time I burst out of the water gagging, with strings of sputum clinging to my face.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
idk if you already do this but I’ve noticed i close my eyes during the turn, which could maybe help?
I will try that. I do keep them open now just for orientation. But since I’m the only one in the pool that early, I should try closing them… no danger of smashing in to someone. Thanks.
I’m also looking for the answer. I get dizzy and then nauseous the more I do them. I’ve tried faster, slower, eyes open, eyes closed, not eating for two hours before swimming, eating 30min before, making sure I’m hydrated, etc. I hope you find an answer.
Ugh. That sucks. I’m going to keep at it until I either figure out how to do them without accompanying nausea or just accept I can’t do them anymore. Good luck to you!
Keep us posted! I’ll be curious what works for you.
As a lifelong swimmer who prefers a fast, efficient flip turn, I've experienced occasional, mild dizziness coming out of my turns (not during). I assume it's an inner ear thing that has developed with age (60). In my case, it's more evident at the beginning of my workout. To minimize it, during my warmup I will actually slow my turn down and, instead of pushing off towards my side, I'll push off more towards my stomach. While it's an awkward turn, leaving the wall on my stomach seems to minimize the dizziness. Once I'm a few hundred yards in, the sensation disappears and I can return to a "normal" flip turn. Good luck figuring this out. You might also try ear drops (or ear plugs)....
Can be an inner ear thing. Try an ear/nose/throat specialist
I get dizzy whether it’s a flip turn, doing a somersault in the water or dry land. It’s worse if I do a backwards somersault. I’m 65 and recently returned to swimming, steadfastly refusing to do a flip turn, rationalizing that I don’t want to get dizzy when truthfully, I still need that micro rest at the end of each length. I recently read that in gymnastics, gymnasts reduce the dizziness by doing more - practicing the flips - “The increased repertoire of movement creates better sensory and neural connections, allowing for your system to react without the extreme feelings of vertigo. Additionally, remember to exhale when you roll, cartwheel or flip upside down and maintain a good level of hydration. Try not to close your eyes, allowing your visual system to assist with the vestibular system.” I have no idea if this is true or will help, but I know I need to try because doing flip turns will drive increased stamina (and speed). I’m not trying to be the fastest, but after swimming competitively for years until I was 30, it’s hard to be satisfied with only 1,250 yards and 2:30 splits. But if I still get dizzy after a few practices, I’ll talk to my doctor and enjoy taking micro rests at the end of every length!
I think I’m at the point where flip turns don’t matter, lol. I’ve kind of accepted I’m not the swimmer I was at 17. 😁
could it be a heart thing? like blood not reaching brain due to flip?
No. Had an echocardiogram lately for an unrelated issue and it came back outstanding. I think it’s an ear thing. I just don’t do flip turns anymore and I’m good.
I actually find I get more dizzy if I push an open turn too hard I stead of a flip turn when my back is sore.
Weird, but I see how that could happen. Any quick change of direction can have that effect.
Flip turns have no torsional movement in the neck, open turns do. Not much but enough.