Setting up a colorado backstroke wedge before a big race can make all the difference between a powerful launch and an embarrassing slip. If you've ever stood on the blocks—or rather, hung from the blocks—waiting for the starting horn, you know that split second of anxiety. Is your foot going to slide down the tile? Is your start going to be a belly flop or a beautiful arc? Backstroke starts used to be a bit of a gamble, but these wedges have pretty much leveled the playing field for everyone from club swimmers to Olympic hopefuls.
It wasn't that long ago that backstroke starts were the most precarious part of a swim meet. You had to rely on the grip of your toes against a wet, often slippery pool wall. If the facility didn't have great grit on the tiles, you were basically just hoping for the best. Now, with the colorado backstroke wedge, that variable is mostly gone. It provides a stable, non-slip surface that lets you focus on your explosive power rather than just trying to stay attached to the wall.
Why the Wedge Changed the Game
Before these ledges became standard, backstrokers had to develop a very specific, almost claw-like grip with their toes. Even then, "slipping the start" was a common phrase that could ruin months of training in half a second. When the colorado backstroke wedge hit the scene, it changed the physics of the start. It allows you to plant your feet on a horizontal surface that's angled perfectly to push off from.
Think about it like a sprinter's starting blocks on a track. You wouldn't expect a 100m runner to start from a flat, vertical wall. They need something to push against. That's exactly what the wedge does for a swimmer. It transforms the vertical wall into a functional platform. The result is a much higher trajectory out of the water, which means you're entering the pool with more clean momentum and less drag.
Getting the Height Just Right
One of the things people struggle with when they first use a colorado backstroke wedge is the adjustment. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation. Most of these wedges are manual or semi-automatic, meaning you can pull a strap or adjust a lever to move the ledge up or down.
The sweet spot is usually right at the water's surface. According to World Aquatics (formerly FINA) rules, the wedge has to be a certain distance from the water level, and it can't be used to gain an unfair vertical advantage. It's there for stability. If you have it too high, you might find yourself over-rotating your entry. If it's too low, you're not getting the full benefit of the platform.
The best way to figure this out is during warm-ups. Don't wait until your heat is called to figure out your preferred setting. Most swimmers like the ledge to be just barely submerged or right at the surface so their toes can wrap slightly over the top edge. It gives you that "locked-in" feeling that lets you put 100% of your energy into the push.
The Mental Confidence Factor
We talk a lot about the physical benefits, but the mental side is just as huge. When you know you're using a colorado backstroke wedge, that little voice in the back of your head worrying about a slip goes quiet. You can actually focus on your reaction time and your underwater dolphin kicks.
There's a certain ritual to it, too. Stepping into the water, reaching up to the grips, and feeling your feet find that solid ledge—it's part of the pre-race flow. It's a signal to your brain that it's time to go. For coaches, seeing their athletes use the wedge properly is a relief because it means one less thing that can go wrong in a high-stakes race.
Durability and Why Colorado Matters
Colorado Time Systems has been a staple in the swimming world for decades. When you're looking at a colorado backstroke wedge, you're looking at something built to survive a high-chlorine environment. Pool chemicals are brutal on equipment. They eat through cheap plastics and corrode low-grade metals in no time.
These wedges are designed to be "swimmer-proof." They're sturdy, the grip tape doesn't peel off after three uses, and the strap mechanisms are built to be yanked on by nervous teenagers hundreds of times a day. It's the kind of gear that stays on the deck season after season. Plus, since so many timing systems are already Colorado-based, these wedges are designed to fit perfectly with their specific starting blocks, though they're versatile enough to work with most standard setups.
Training with the Wedge
It's a common mistake to only use the colorado backstroke wedge during meets. If your team has access to them, you should be practicing with them at least once a week during sprint sets. Using the wedge changes your center of gravity slightly as you leave the wall. If you're used to the old-school flat wall start, you might find that the wedge actually throws you too high at first.
Practicing with it helps you calibrate your launch angle. You want to aim for a "clean" entry—where your hands, head, hips, and feet all go through the same "hole" in the water. Because you're getting more height off the colorado backstroke wedge, you might need to tuck your head a bit more or adjust your arm swing to make sure you aren't splashing down too flat.
A Note for Coaches and Officials
If you're the one responsible for setting these up, make sure the straps are clear and not tangled. There's nothing worse than a swimmer trying to adjust their wedge while the starter is telling everyone to "take your marks." It creates unnecessary stress.
Also, keep an eye on the grip. While the colorado backstroke wedge is built to last, the non-slip surface can eventually get a buildup of pool minerals or body oils. A quick scrub every now and then keeps them as grippy as the day they came out of the box. It's a small maintenance task that ensures every swimmer gets a fair start.
Final Thoughts on Performance
At the end of the day, swimming is a sport of hundredths of a second. You spend hours every week working on your stroke rate, your turns, and your finishes. It would be a shame to lose time right at the start because of a slip. The colorado backstroke wedge is one of those pieces of technology that actually makes the sport better. It doesn't swim for you, but it removes a frustrating hurdle that used to plague the backstroke events.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting to get serious about your backstroke, learning how to use this tool is essential. It gives you the grip you need, the confidence to go all-out, and the stability to start your race on your own terms. Next time you're at the blocks, take a second to make sure that ledge is exactly where you want it, lock in your feet, and get ready to fly. It's a small piece of equipment, but the impact it has on your race is anything but small.