So I am swimming along in practice this morning, catching my breath between some short rest intervals, when I overheard the two women Fighting Manatees (our Masters team) in the lane next to me asking each other why I was able to go so fast. “I dunno”, one of them said…”but I think it is in his kick”.

The next few 50’s I spent pondering the comment, when suddenly, it dawned on me that I had heard those very words spoken in a song before.

I am dedicating this song to all of the swim coaches out there who believe, like I do, that the real secret weapon to fast swimming is in the legs. And to all those Masters swimmers and Triathletes who can’t quite figure out why they don’t swim as fast as the swimmer who started at age 6. And of course to the all of the great-swimmer wanna-be’s who were not blessed with big feet, flexible ankles or hyperextended knees.

Next time you are socializing on your kickboard, instead of gabbing with your lane partner, get your entire workout group to belt out this tune, sung to the lyrics of the famous oldie but goodie, It’s in his Kiss, by Betty Everett.

DOES HE SWIM FAST, I WANNA KNOW
HOW CAN I TELL THAT HE DON’T SWIM SLOW

IS IT IN HIS PULL? OH NO YOU’D BE DECEIVED
OR IN HIS HIGH ELBOW? OH NO HE’LL MAKE BELIEVE
IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHY HE DON’T SWIM SLOW
IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS. OH YEAH

OR IS IT IN HIS HIPS? OH NO THAT’S JUST HIS BUM
OR HIS DETERMINED LIPS? OH NO THAT’S JUST FOR FUN
IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHY HE DON’T SWIM SLOW
IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS
OH OH IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS

OH OH OH DRILL HIM, AND FILM HIM TOO
AND FIND OUT WHAT YOU WANNA KNOW-0-0
IF HE’S FAST. IF HE’S REALLY FAST, IT’S THERE IN HIS KICK

HOW ‘BOUT THE WAY HE STROKES? OH NO, THAT’S NOT THE WAY
AND YOU’RE NOT LISTENIN’ TO ALL I SAY
IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHY HE DON’T SWIM SLOW
IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS. OH YEAH
IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS

OH OH OH DRILL HIM, AND FILM HIM TOO
AND FIND OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW-0-0
IF HE’S FAST, IF HE’S REALLY FAST, IT’S THERE IN HIS KICK

HOW ‘BOUT THE WAY HE STROKES? OH NO, THAT’S NOT THE WAY
AND YOU’RE NOT LISTENIN’ TO ALL I SAY
IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHY HE DON’T SWIM SLOW
IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WERE IT IS. OH YEAH
IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS
OH OH IT’S IN HIS KICK. THAT’S WHERE IT IS.

Yours in Swimming,

Gary Sr.