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Dolphin Kickers Sink Swimming Records

Revived technique is propelling swimmers to victory

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2008 9:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – Dozens of world swimming records have fallen in the last 18 months and many credit the explosion in speed to a technique invented by a scientist who worked on the A-Bomb, reports the Washington Post. Swimmers say the underwater dolphin kick, which has been revived and polished in recent years, is a "weapon" that leaves rivals floundering. The motion mimics how dolphins cut through water with their flippers.

Physicist and 1932 Olympian Volney Wilson came up with the kick after studying fish, but it proved difficult to teach. The coach of American swimming champ Michael Phelps says the swimmer has now mastered the dolphin kick, making a "quantum-leap difference" even greater than the effects of the latest high-tech swimming suits.

Michael Phelps' coach credits the underwater dolphin kick with helping propel the swimmer to new world records.
Michael Phelps' coach credits the underwater dolphin kick with helping propel the swimmer to new world records.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
An American physicist and water polo player came up with the explosively fast 'dolphin kick' after studying fish at Chicago's aquarium.
An American physicist and water polo player came up with the explosively fast 'dolphin kick' after studying fish at Chicago's aquarium.   (AP Photo/Christine Aylen)
Michael Phelps swims to victory in the finals of the 100 meter backstroke in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Mutual of Omaha Swim Invitational.
Michael Phelps swims to victory in the finals of the 100 meter backstroke in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Mutual of Omaha Swim Invitational.   (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
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Demonstration of a butterfly style and dolphin kick.   (fredang85)

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