Counting lengths when swimming

[Saltyquiche]

Can anyone make recommendations for counting lengths when swimming? Any tools? I’m dyslexic and think about a lot of stuff while swimming, which means I often loose count

Cheap and cheerful www.amazon.co.uk/Qualitydevices-E6-Swim-Lap-Counter/dp/B000R3X0AC?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
A more expensive alternative would be a garmin sports watch- lots will count lengths for you

Hi! I used to imagine the number itself standing on the edge of the pool at the end of the length I was swimming so swimming towards it. The number was very large. Maybe three foot high and they usually were in different pastel colours with a floral pattern centre The visual memory for that was quite strong, so if I drifted off I could remember what the number looked like and in that way keep track. It was also motivating as I was always swimming towards the new higher number. Hope that helps in some way.

Of course, might need work if you’re underwater most of the time but I’m a head-out-of-the-water swimmer!

Might not work!

I pick a target (36 is good as most factors) and then work out what fraction I've done after every length. So eg after I've done a ninth of 36 or a tenth of 40 for example. Keeps me on track.

My Apple Watch counts for me.

I start doing maths sums with the number. So if I'm on length 20/100 I start simplifying the fraction to 1/5 or as a percent 20%

I just say the number to myself with each stroke.

I count in metres, in a 25m pool it means I swim in groups of 4, so 4 lengths is 100m and I can usually remember where I am in my set of four (up is always 25 or75, down is always 50 or 100). It sounds complicated but I find it easier than counting each length. It's also more motivating because you start at 25 rather than 1.

I always stop for a 10s rest at 500m and then I start again and rest again at 1000m and so on. My target is always 1000m (40 lengths) I often do more but rarely fewer.

If you swim pretty much non-stop then you only need to count every time you return to the end you started at, and then double it. I tend to swim in blocks of 10 lengths so 5 times up n down and that's 250m in our pool. That said, I think I was always a couple of lengths out either way! If you're swimming regularly and want to track your progress then I'd consider investing in a watch that will count for you. I have a Garmin forerunner (bought really for running but has other features) and it's generally accurate but struggles if you do drills and don't use your arms in a "normal" stroke.

I count in pairs but normally got to a point of slipping a lap or two.
I've used a simple stitch counter where you roll the plastic dial on each pair of lengths.

Apple Watch ,I’m not dyslexic and still end up 2 or so laps out if counting myself. Although the watch does have a hissy if I’m doing breaststroke.

I gave up

In the end I simply timed a few laps to get my average lap time. Then noted how long I swam for and divided by that. I figured it was still going to be as accurate as trying to remember lap numbers and I could drift off into my own world while swimming.

I mostly go by time. I always try to count with techniques above (visualising the number, repeating it, puzzles with it) but then I get distracted or my mind wanders or I start thinking about the next length and it's all out of the window. I could buy a counter or a sports watch. I think it's the only way I could keep count, but I don't really care enough.

Count on each breath if you are doing front crawl? I breathe every third so my count goes 123 on length 1 223 on length 2 323 on length 3 etc switching stroke every 10 helps too. I like counting when I swim as it stops me from thinking about other things But if you wanna drift off and think about other stuff maybe a fit bit or similar might help? I used a fit bit and it was really accurate compared to my counting.

I gave up too. Now I listen to podcast with my waterproof Bluetooth headphones so my goal will be swim for an episode of whatever show I am listening to.

@TrollsAreSaddos which headphones are those? How far is your phone when you are swimming. Does it work well?

I visualise the number I'm swimming away from... Sometimes I practice that number in multiple languages. It doesn't really work. Nothing does.
I swam (in pool) with Channel swimmers who each had a (different) fancy length counters. They swam as a group, all did same distance. Their watches never agreed (!)

The best support I had was very large digital displays & then I'd kind of be able to figure out (as session went on) what my count should be based on my typical time per length.
I do a lot better in 50m pools keeping track, only counting laps (1 lap = 2 lengths).

I liked SwimMate when we had it, worked better than my own swim watch. But... long gone. Cutbacks.

I used to count, but now just swim for an hour rather than count lengths.

@TrollsAreSaddos , I am also interested to hear about the ear phones. Do they work?

I got them from John Lewis. They made by Jabra and cost about £150. The Bluetooth receptor doesn't work if it's too far under so you have to adjust where is sits if you change from front crawl to backstroke. I keep my phone by the side of the pool - it must work at least 30 meters away? Maybe further? I never go out of range.
I've had cheaper ones before that have worked well too. Similar ones to THIS
from Amazon.
My headphones are the things that make me swim so much. It makes it relaxing and I don't get bored.

I did it with letters/names when I swam.

One lap = Amanda or Arnold or Alan
Two laps = Burt, Brenda, Beatrice
Three laps = Charlie, Constance, Colin

... you get the idea!

I found remembering which name I was up to was easier.

I’d totally loose count trying to come up with a Q name and what happens when you go round the second time. I average 80 to 100 lengths I’d have exhausted the Greek alphabet as well 😂

It was always easy to remember when I was going round the alphabet for the 2nd or 3rd time. That kind of effort stuck in my head.

And Quentin. Always it as Quentin

I purchased some Ordtop wireless headphones from Amazon for £16 on sale. Bright red and they fit beautifully. Swam this morning listening to a podcast and they were amazing and made the time pass quickly. Also started doing the alphabet instead of counting lengths and even though I was meant to end on 'X' I did two entire rounds. Never has 52 lengths seemed so easy. I do breaststroke with my head above the water. If I was to go underwater I think you would lose the Bluetooth connection. Absolutely game changer. Thanks MN!