Pool Swimming Workout Accuracy?

[Mark0]

I've looked through search for a similar topic but can't find any - so thought I'd ask if anyone has any issues with the accuracy of the Apple Watch when swimming in the pool?
I've just got a new S9 and find that it is not counting my lengths properly. I swim front crawl exclusively and I've read that the watch judges distance by using the accelerometer to judge when you turn on each length, because GPS is not used for various reasons. I've found that it doesn't matter if I do touch turns or tumble turns, it doesn't count accurately, which is quite annoying to be honest.
I swim 1600m as 18 sets of 6 lengths (90m) in a 15m pool, so round it up to 108 lengths, which gives me a little more than 1600m. However, my watch said I'd completed 95! I mark off my sets as I complete them to keep track.

I'm was wondering if anyone has done anything in particular to improve the accuracy the watch during pool swimming? If not, I'll keep doing things the old fashioned way with a pen and poolside whiteboard!

 

[chabig]

My pool is 25 meters and it counts lengths reliably with all strokes. Maybe the shorter pool confuses it.

 

[Mark0]

My pool is 25 meters and it counts lengths reliably with all strokes. Maybe the shorter pool confuses it.

Thanks for replying.

Yeah maybe it’s an issue, although I do set my pool length to 15m before the workout. I’ll give it a try in a 25m pool sometime soon hopefully and see how it goes.

 

[chabig]

I didn’t even know you can set the pool length!

 

[Morrissey]

I´ve swum in 25 meters pools using the series 3, 4, 6, 8 and now the ultra 2, and even the Ultra 2 is not 100% accurate.
Right now with WatchOS10 is a little bit more realiable the strokes and calories counting, but sometimes like 50 or 100 meters are missing each time I swim.

 

[cubodado]

I generally swim on a 25m pool and generally my watch increases the number of laps. Something that can have an effect of this type is generally when I switch style or stop midway on a lap because the schedule asks for it or (more often) for traffic problems. Over the last times it seems more accurate. Maybe some problem on drills. AW6, watchOS 10.

 

[Mark0]

I generally swim on a 25m pool and generally my watch increases the number of laps. Something that can have an effect of this type is generally when I switch style or stop midway on a lap because the schedule asks for it or (more often) for traffic problems. Over the last times it seems more accurate. Maybe some problem on drills. AW6, watchOS 10.

Thanks for replying. Luckily, I have the 15m pool to myself so no traffic! The local 25m can get busy now and again in the lanes so I'll keep that in mind for when I get around to going there. I'm less inclined to do drills now because I did way too much in my competitive days 20+ years ago! I'm just swimming once a week for extra fitness now in addition to mountain biking and a little bit of running (which I don't really enjoy!) I do miss how easy swimming felt back then compared to now though!

 

[Mark0]

So, been in a couple more times to the same 15m pool, it counts fewer laps every time I swim. 72 counted of 108 last time. I think I’ll just stick to the whiteboard and pen! 🤦🏼‍♂️

 

[Monkswhiskers]

My AW3 snd 4 were really good at counting laps. I never tried my 5 in the pool as never went for 2 years due to covid. Then I got the 7 and it has been awful 🤷🏻

 

[The Doctor11]

My AW3 snd 4 were really good at counting laps. I never tried my 5 in the pool as never went for 2 years due to covid. Then I got the 7 and it has been awful 🤷🏻

I’m in this exactly same boat. I got the first watch with swim, I think 2 or 3, then a 5 I didn’t really swim with, just started swimming with my 9 and it’s okay for distance, adds in an extra 25 yards for funzies every time. But stroke wise it’s giving me everything BUT the one thing I actually swim, freestyle.

 

[AsherN]

I swim a 25m pool. The only odd thing is sometimes a discrepancy between laps and length where either the laps will be OK but the length is a few meters short, or the length is fine and the lap is off by one.