Courtesy of Eney Jones
“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. So you let them go.” Stephen King
Swimmers can learn from the V Formation of birds
Scientists have always debated why birds fly in a V position. It makes flight easier and takes less effort. In January 2015, Science magazine released a new study that took it further. Besides being efficient drafting and energy saving, the Scientists found that the birds catch an uplift by syncingtheir wings.
This new study tracked bald ibises (Geronticus eremita) flying on their annual migration route from Austria to Italy. Each bird was equipped with a GPS, to determine each birds flight position, to within 30 cm, was also equipped and an accelerometer to show the timing of the wing flaps. Surprisingly in aerodynamic perfection. See Upwash exploitation and downwash avoidance by flap phasing in ibis formation flight.
“We didn’t think this was possible,” said one scientist, considering that the feat requires careful flight and incredible awareness of one’s neighbors. “Perhaps these big V formation birds can be thought of quite like an airplane with wings that go up and down.”
For open water swimming the V formation allows you to not only draft in the water but with the air too.
Drafting in the V Formation is a strategy that provides swimmers with the following advantages:
- Non-engagement. Practice non-engagement at that hip pocket “sweet spot”.
- Siteing. Still be able to site relying on your own eyes not someone else’s.
- Freedom to adjust position. Have options to move if you are not comfortable in your position.
- Feel free. Draft without feeling claustrophobic.
- Ride high. Ride high like the dolphin on the side of a tanker.
- Use the water and air. Use moving water and air to your advantage
- Pace. You are in position to sprint ahead (i) if the pack’s pace becomes slower, (ii) if the leader attempts to break away, and (iii) to win as you approach the finish line.
The next time you are in an open water race strategically set yourself to take advantage of the best position using the moving air and water. Get out to the side at the hip . . . sync your stroke. And if someone tells you it is for the birds, remember birds know things we don’t.
Eney Jones has achieved remarkably diverse success as a leading pool, open water and Ironman triathlon swimmer, and is also a yoga instructor.
- Masters National Champion 100-200-400-500-1500-1650 5k freestyle 2009
- Open Water 5k Champion Perth Australia, May 2008.
- National Masters Champion 200-400-1500 freestyle Champion, Portland Oregon, August, 2008.
- Overall Champion Aumakua 2.4k Maui Hawaii, September 2008
- Waikiki Rough Water Swim 3rd place 2006, second place Overall 2009, 3rd place 2012
- European Record Holder and Masters Swimming Champion, 2005. Records included 200, 400, 800, 1500 m freestyle
- Over twenty time finalist in U.S. Swimming Nationals, including Olympic Trials 1980
- Gold medal NCAA 800 yd freestyle relay 1979, silver Medalist 200 yd freestyle 1979. United States National Team 1979-1980.
- Professional Triathlete 1983-1991. First woman out of the water in every Hawaiian Ironman participated (6).
The USAF has been flying aircraft in V formation for many decades. Why have they done that for so long if “Scientists have always debated why birds fly in a V position?” Is it possible that scientists have known the advantages of V formation flying for some time now? Maybe the assertion above should read something like, “Scientists continue to quantify the advantages of formation flying.”
Hahahahaha