In competitive swimming—especially sprint events—the difference between winning and losing often comes down to the start. In the 50m freestyle, the margin between gold and off-the-podium can be just 0.1 seconds. That tiny fraction of time is often gained (or lost) before a single stroke is even taken.
A great start isn’t just about reacting fast—it’s about how explosively you leave the blocks, how far and fast you travel through the air, how cleanly you enter the water, and how efficiently you transition into your underwater phase. The physics are simple: water creates drag—air does not. The longer you can stay fast in the air and clean through entry, the more time you gain.
The Stats: Why the Start Matters
- In a 50m race, the start and breakout can account for up to 30% of your total time.
- A strong, clean start can improve your race by 0.2–0.3 seconds, which is massive at the elite level.
- Water is ~800 times denser than air, so the more distance you can cover at high velocity before entering the water, the better.
Brad Tandy: Redefining the Sprint Start
South African Olympian Brad Tandy shook the swimming world with his unconventional, yet biomechanically brilliant, “arms-back” start. Rather than gripping the front of the block like most swimmers, Tandy stands upright with arms down by his sides, ready to launch.
Why It Works
- Lower center of mass – Creates greater upward and forward power, like a compressed spring.
- Longer flight distance – Tandy travels over 4 meters through the air, 0.5–1 meter more than conventional starts.
- Higher take-off velocity – Exceeds 4.5 m/s, compared to 3.8–4.2 m/s in most traditional starts.
- Clean water entry – Minimal splash and optimal entry angle (around 30–35°) preserve momentum into the underwater phase.
- Speed retention – Tandy maintains up to 90% of his take-off speed upon entry, allowing him to hit the water around 4.2 m/s, a critical edge.
The Advantage
In a sport where hundredths matter, this style of start can provide a 0.2–0.3 second head start—often enough to win a race.
Clean Entry: Silent, Sharp, and Speed-Saving
A great start isn’t complete without a tight, splash-free entry. A clean line through the surface maintains velocity and avoids drag caused by vertical force or spread limbs.
- Reduced drag by up to 20% with a properly streamlined entry.
- Momentum is preserved, helping swimmers hit max velocity into their dolphin kicks.
How Swimstar Helps You Track Improvements In Your Start
The Swimstar app breaks down multiple aspects of your race. By tracking and analyzing these key elements, Swimstar gives swimmers and coaches the data to refine and perfect this crucial phase of racing. Whether you’re refining a traditional launch or experimenting with a Tandy-style start, Swimstar turns raw power into precision.
Download Swimstar today and take control of your race from the very first moment. Because at the highest level of swimming, every hundredth counts.