Human Nose Clip

on July 8, 2011
in All Posts

In my recent post about doing flip turns, Victoria left me an interesting comment about keeping water out of my nose during the flip. 

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I had been blowing air out as I turned and figured the only other option was a nose clip. 

 

Not so, said Victoria…

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After Christina and I both argued that this was physically impossible in the comments section, I decided to contact Victoria on Twitter.  I seriously thought she was pulling my leg.

 

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I still thought she was joking because I had tried to do the lip curl several times yesterday!  I tried at work, in the shower, and on the couch while watching TV.

 

Maybe my lip is short or my nose is too high.  I don’t know.

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In all seriousness, it turns out Victoria WASN’T practical jokin’ on me.  Some swimmers can actually use their upper lip to plug their nose on a flip turn.  How amazing is that?

 

This dude has great step-by-step instructions on how to successfully plug your nose.

human-nose-clip-from-front  human-nose-clip-from-side

(Source)

 

And yes, it’s true – Olympic swimmer Christina Jones can also do the human nose clip.   She says (and I quote), “God gave me an upper lip that can plug my nose, what can I say?"

 

Can you do the human nose clip? 

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I’m going to keep trying, but I just don’t think I’m built for it!

{ 184 comments }

 

  • mariepouliche July 8, 2011, 12:40 pm

    I can 🙂 I use to be a competitive swimmer and I do it everytime I flip!

    • Caitlin July 8, 2011, 12:41 pm

      I want to see a picture! LOL

  • michelle July 8, 2011, 12:41 pm

    I have never heard of that before!

  • April @ Grits and Granola Bars July 8, 2011, 12:42 pm

    That is insane. But no, I cannot do that! I think my lips are too small, plus I have one of those lip tie things. Booooo!

  • Jaime July 8, 2011, 12:42 pm

    haha, funny pics! I definitely can not do this!

  • Mary July 8, 2011, 12:43 pm

    haha! I used to be a competetive swimmer and I could NEVER master this. i think my upper lip is too thin…

    My girlfriend I used to swim with though has beautiful native american lips and used to do this all of the time!

    I was always jealous of her skillz.

  • Cara July 8, 2011, 12:44 pm

    Not everyone can do that?! I totally can! I’ve never done it under water, though…

  • Cait's Plate July 8, 2011, 12:44 pm

    Ahahaha – the pictures in this post cracked me up 🙂 My sister can do that! I try and try but am absolutely NOT able to do it either. Maybe it’s something you’re born with??

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food July 8, 2011, 12:45 pm

    The key is too blow air out of your nose as you do the turn. Works like a charm! 🙂

  • Sarah T. July 8, 2011, 12:48 pm

    Ok I’ve been sitting at my desk at work trying to do this and failing miserably. Good thing everyone else is at lunch! This is a skill I’ll probably never need though as I’m TERRIFIED of water and can’t go in past my hips without having a panic attack.

  • Erin @ GoBananasBlog July 8, 2011, 12:49 pm

    I thought that this was a special thing just me and my grandfather could do. That’s funny that is an actual useful technique!

  • allison @ thesundayflog July 8, 2011, 12:49 pm

    i did it at my desk. emailing it to u now

    • Caitlin July 8, 2011, 12:54 pm

      BAWHAHAHH best picture ever. I should do a montag if I get a bunch from people.

      • allison @ thesundayflog July 8, 2011, 12:56 pm

        hahahahahaha totally. i give you permission to use that awesome photo of me

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black July 8, 2011, 12:49 pm

    Hialriouis! Trying to do it and it’s impossible!

  • Sarah for Real July 8, 2011, 12:50 pm

    lol! Great pics. Great post.

    I can’t do it either. And now my coworkers are looking at me weird…

  • Kath July 8, 2011, 12:50 pm

    I can do my left nostril!! But not both at the same time.

    • Cindy Robinson July 8, 2011, 1:07 pm

      Ha Ha!!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday July 8, 2011, 12:50 pm

    Ah hahaha!I can’t even get close to doing it!

  • Catie July 8, 2011, 12:53 pm

    I just seriously tried to do this for about 5 minutes in my photobooth! hahah And I cannot.

  • chloe @ 321delish July 8, 2011, 12:54 pm

    Victoria doesn’t know what she is talking about 🙂

    I try to clog my throat with my tongue when I flip! It helps!

    PS: JUST KIDDING VICTORIA!

    • Victoria (District Chocoholic) July 8, 2011, 1:52 pm

      Yes definitely. I know nothing about flip turns. There is no way you have ever seen me do a single flip turn.

    • Chicks bun August 4, 2012, 4:38 pm

      I can do it !!!!

  • ashley@cookingforjohn July 8, 2011, 12:55 pm

    I’ve never heard of this and I swam competitively for 7 years! That is an awesome skill, I just blow air out the whole time I flip. And flipping faster helps too! 😉

  • Kim @ girlevolving July 8, 2011, 12:55 pm

    I totally can do it and have done it! I’ve never thought about it being impossible for people! How funny!

  • Charlie July 8, 2011, 12:56 pm

    lol I tried. I can’t.

  • TheHungeredOne @ MovingandMunching July 8, 2011, 12:56 pm

    This is so strange… I was a competitive swimmer for ages and I seriously have no idea how I do flip turns… I just do it. I never thought about all this breathing stuff, lol

    I definitely think a photo montage should happen haha

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 8, 2011, 12:57 pm

    I’m trying to do it and I can’t!!!

  • Kristy@RunTheLongRoad July 8, 2011, 12:57 pm

    Nope can’t do it! This is oddly interesting though!

  • Erica July 8, 2011, 12:58 pm

    No luck here either. And now my kids are wondering why I’m sitting here making weird fishy faces at the computer screen. Yep, I’m a cool mom 😉

  • Brittney July 8, 2011, 12:58 pm

    I can do it like crazy, but I’m a terrible swimmer! I used to do this for fun/ out of habit, and my parents would yell that it’d get stuck that way

    • George May 30, 2015, 1:03 pm

      I can do the nose lip plug thing really really well.

  • lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner July 8, 2011, 12:58 pm

    I can’t do it either!

  • courtney (pancakes and postcards) July 8, 2011, 12:58 pm

    hahahaha this is hilarious. who the heck can actually do that???

  • erin July 8, 2011, 1:00 pm

    i do not think it’s possible, and i’ve got good lips too!!!! too funny!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 8, 2011, 1:02 pm

    And now I’m sitting at my desk like an idiot doing this! I think I can do a “partial” nose plug with mine!

  • Rachel July 8, 2011, 1:02 pm

    I am making UGLY faces at my desk right now. Thought you should know.

  • Beth July 8, 2011, 1:05 pm

    Never argue with Victoria about anything swimming related, she will always be right.

    Also, you can totally do an olympic. I think it’s easier than a marathon, and you’ve done those!

    • Victoria (District Chocoholic) July 8, 2011, 1:53 pm

      Argument: is it or is it not crazy to swim 10,000 meters in one workout? discuss

      • Beth July 8, 2011, 1:56 pm

        I think we can all agree that it’s crazy. Much like a 6k with zero training…

      • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:35 am

        I would die if I tried to swim 10.000 meters.

        10 000 meters = 6.21371192 miles

  • Cindy Robinson July 8, 2011, 1:05 pm

    I am totally cracking myself up over here trying to do this as I scroll down your page….I see your ending picture, and almost fell on the floor. But I’m still going to keep trying…no matter if the suits walk by my office! 🙂

  • Elizabeth July 8, 2011, 1:06 pm

    I can do it, but my boyfriend cannot! We have actually had conversations about this before, hahaha!!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me July 8, 2011, 1:09 pm

    I’m like you. I can’t even get close!

  • Ciera @ Rose and Thistle July 8, 2011, 1:11 pm

    This post is hilarious! As is the comment thread…. 😀 I definitely CANNOT do this – nowhere even close! I can imagine it is an exceedingly useful physical attribute if you can though!

  • Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life July 8, 2011, 1:11 pm

    Hahaha I don’think my lips are big enough?!

  • Shrinking mommy of 2 July 8, 2011, 1:11 pm

    I swam competitively from Kindergarten thru high school and that is how I would do my flip turns. Water in nose is not fun at all! It works well. Good luck!

  • Chloe (In Fine Feather) July 8, 2011, 1:11 pm

    Hahaha, I just tried doing it and there is NO WAY! Either my lips are too small or my nose is too far away 🙂
    Blowing out air through my nose is that way I do it, and works really well once you get the timing of the breathing down.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey July 8, 2011, 1:12 pm

    Okay that is hilarious – I just spent five minutes trying ti do it myself. I was a competitive swimmer growing up and I always just blew bubbles out of my nose! IT was easiest for me!

  • monicanelsonfitness July 8, 2011, 1:14 pm

    so adorable! I will take everyone’s word for it…! haha. 🙂

  • Marisa E July 8, 2011, 1:14 pm

    ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!! The dude in the next cube just caught me trying to do it….Bahahahahahaha!!!!
    I played it off by pretending my nose itched…..I better get back to work!! Too funny!!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:34 am

      Bawhahah. Good save.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 8, 2011, 1:14 pm

    Okay yah, I can NOT do it. I have too big of a space between my lips and nose! That would BE handy though!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 8, 2011, 1:16 pm

    This is awesome! I can do that! I guess that’s maybe like everyone can’t do the tongue trick!

  • Kim July 8, 2011, 1:17 pm

    I can totally do it! Well, I can make the face and block my nostrils, but I can’t guarantee that water won’t get in. Should I hold my breath still or breathe out while I’m doing it? I’m pretty sure I almost choked sitting at my desk trying it haha

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence July 8, 2011, 1:17 pm

    I knew girls who used to do that in synchronized swimming and didn’t use nose plugs. Crazy!

  • Mary ( What's Cookin' with Mary) July 8, 2011, 1:20 pm

    lol ! I just tried for 2 min and I can’t do it !?

  • Sara July 8, 2011, 1:20 pm

    I totally can do it! I discovered that I could when I was pretty young and remember being shocked that no one else I knew could do it because it’s so easy for me. I’m not a swimmer at all, so I’ve never done it under water, but it’s very handy when you’re taking out the trash or dealing with anything else stinky and can’t hold your nose! (And it’s also a pretty fun party trick – no ever believes I can do it until I show them!)

  • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs July 8, 2011, 1:22 pm

    Oh man, I can’t do it either. I am glad my husband isn’t here to see the hotness that is my attempting this… I don’t even swim… hahaha.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 8, 2011, 1:25 pm

    I can do it if I pull my lip up, but definitely can’t do it hands-free!

  • Selena July 8, 2011, 1:26 pm

    I never would have thought that someone COULDN’T curl their lip over their nostrils, although mine doesn’t completely side curl enough to completely cover my huge nostrils. How funny. I’m not a swimmer though so I don’t know how it would work for that purpose.

  • Whit July 8, 2011, 1:26 pm

    I’ve been doing it for years when swimming and my friends used to make fun of me! I’d like to think they were just jealous! Glad to know it is legit. 😉

    PS: Two of my sisters can do it, and the other two can’t. I think it has to do with how long your upper lip is.

  • karin July 8, 2011, 1:30 pm

    Ha!! I love it….its like mutany…growing fish lips instead of gills

  • Julie @ Wearing Mascara July 8, 2011, 1:31 pm

    I *think* I can do it, although when I do flip turns (I learned as a kid because I swam competitively), I always just blew air out of my nose to avoid getting water up there. Can u use your lower lip to push your upper lip up?

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss July 8, 2011, 1:32 pm

    hahaha, I totally just tried! I’m not quite there..but maybe with practice?

  • Brittany July 8, 2011, 1:33 pm

    Ummm…. I’ve been doing this for so long now that my jaw hurts. And I think my cheeks are wrinkling. I can get my lips there but i still feel like i’d drown if i got in water…. My boyfriend makes this face all the time… yeah, he’s a total looker… haha.

  • Sue @ Sue In Training July 8, 2011, 1:39 pm

    Just HAD to try this in front of the mirror. It looks so crazy! I’m close, but I can’t cover my nostrils completely. Damn!

  • jen July 8, 2011, 1:40 pm

    That photo could be a work of art! Picture it giant on canvas or framed! The geometric lines and shapes. Oh…unexpected art – love.

  • RebekahK July 8, 2011, 1:40 pm

    My cousin always did this growing up and I have to admit I was a little jealous and always got water up my nose. I tried over and over and I have decent sized lips but never could do it. I never thought other people did that too. = )

  • Amy July 8, 2011, 1:42 pm

    haha It’s kinda ridiculous that I’m analyzing this, but I think you are scrunching your nose up too much. Your nose needs to stay relaxed and your mouth/jaw muscles need to do all of the work. I’m not a swimmer at all, but I can plug my nose up with my upper lip pretty easily. Though, I can also touch my nose with my tounge, so maybe God gave me a special upper lip too?

    If it helps at all, here’s what I think happens when I plug up m upper lip: my low jaw moves forward and up, which forces my upper lip to move up. Then, I use my lower lip to further push my upper lip into my nose, while at the same time curling my upper lip to enclose the bottom of my nose.
    Good luck!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:33 am

      haha I tried your tips and it kind of helped. still not clipped though!

  • Corrie Anne July 8, 2011, 1:45 pm

    I wish I could watch everyone sitting in front of their computers trying to do this as they read your blog. Too funny! 🙂

  • Leah @ Why Deprive? July 8, 2011, 1:49 pm

    haha I totally just sat here for at least five minutes trying to do it. I cant.
    I also think if I tried to plug my nose with my lip while actually swimming, I would drown. Thats a lot to concentrate on all at the same time. 🙂

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) July 8, 2011, 1:49 pm

    I am sending you my own picture as proof. Most awesome post subject ever.

  • Meg July 8, 2011, 1:50 pm

    I was a competitive swimmer for many years and I always hum when flipping. It totally works!

  • Heather July 8, 2011, 1:50 pm

    That is insane….I just tried it and can do it. After making the fish face I puffed my checks out with air which pushes your lips close to your nose then I breathed in through my nose hard and it sucked in my upper lip to cover my nose. Bizzare but now I will have to try it with a flip turn.

  • Angie July 8, 2011, 1:51 pm

    Nope can’t do that! Had fun trying though!
    I do a lot of swimming and went for a nose clip. Took a bit of getting used but now I can’t swim without it! Makes it a lot easier to focus on the turns rather than the water going up your nose. You have to adapt your breathing but it’s worth it if you want to build up you turns.
    I also wear ear plugs and they take even more getting used to!
    I do about 2500m to 3000m a session (an hour) and cannot swim without these (i find a hat optional hehe)
    Keep trying. I was once told you need to do 100 turn to get it right!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:32 am

      I can’t believe you do 3000 m a session. I bow down to you!

      • Angie July 9, 2011, 12:34 pm

        It’s taken a lot of training and 2 to 3 sessions a week. It also depends on what the session includes. Like if there is a lot of fly then it’s not at the top of the scale.
        Have you heard of the One Hour Swim? Basically you swim as far as you can in an hour. Last year I got to about 3500 metres. I started at 2500 metres on this about 5 years ago. It’s a go one to do once a year to see progress 🙂
        This morning I did 2400m but that was after over a month off from swimming, a bit frustrating but I know if I keep going I’ll get back up there.

  • kyndra July 8, 2011, 1:51 pm

    i can’t do it. and i think i pulled a muscle in face trying, ha. your post on flip turns inspired me to conquer my fear last night! i did a late workout at the pool and when most of the people cleared out (i didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of tons of people!), i gave it a shot. first i did a couple somersaults, then somersaults kicking my legs out, landing my feet on the wall, then the real thing! it only took me about 5 minutes to get the hang of it and i was thinking to myself “damn, what was i so scared of??” i remembered the tip about blowing air out and didn’t get any water up my nose.

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:32 am

      Yay! I am so proud of you Kyndra!

  • Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey July 8, 2011, 1:53 pm

    Oh geez, I just spent FAR too long trying to do this. And…??? Nope. Not even close. Impossible!

    I’m glad no one is around – I snapped a shot with my p&s just to see what I looked like – YIKES! 😉

    ~

  • Holly @ Food, Make-up, Hair July 8, 2011, 1:53 pm

    I am glad I don’t work in a building with a bunch of other people ’cause I’ve been sitting here trying to do this for several minutes. And – I CAN’T! However, I’ve done flip turns before and I just blow water out my nose when flipping.

  • Jamie @ Stuck Outside The Box July 8, 2011, 1:55 pm

    I can allllmost do this but not quite, and I’m a competitive swimmer. I don’t have any problem whatsoever getting water in my nose on flipturns though! Never have. I can’t swim with a nose clip because I have such an engrained habit of blowing out through my nose. If I put a nose clip on I feel like I can’t breathe properly and it freaks me out. 😛

  • run run rachel July 8, 2011, 1:56 pm

    before i read the entire post i was actually tugging and my upper lip and trying to pull it over my nose.

    then i made the squishy face.

    not until i did all this ridiculousness did i look around the office to see if anyone was laughing.

    i’ve determined my nose is too upturned and pointy for such.

  • gwyn July 8, 2011, 1:59 pm

    i thought my sister and i were the only ones that could do this! yay! i’m more like an olympic swimmer than i thought…

  • Melissa July 8, 2011, 2:01 pm

    hahahahha, unfortunately I am not meant to do this!!

  • aj July 8, 2011, 2:02 pm

    Haha. I taught swimming all through high school and college and I always asked my kids if they could make that face right off the bat. Only about half could do it. It just depends on your make-up. But it’s a great trick for those who can. I wonder if making the face would help even if your nose isn’t 100% blocked.

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:31 am

      I will try it today!

  • Jessica July 8, 2011, 2:03 pm

    I cannot do it! So frustrating! Not even close for me!

  • Dee July 8, 2011, 2:11 pm

    I can do the human nose clip! But it will never be of any help, because I don’t swim! Also, I wanted to say you totally just sold a copy of Little Bee with your description. I couldn’t comment on the post because I don’t want to see the spoilers. Headed to Vegas tomorrow for a few days, and Little Bee will be with me!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:31 am

      You will love it!

  • Kelly July 8, 2011, 2:13 pm

    Too funny!!! I am going to try it the next time I swim laps! The pictures of you trying are hilarious! 🙂

  • Lindsay Loves Veggies July 8, 2011, 2:21 pm

    This is absolutely hilarious!

  • Chelsea July 8, 2011, 2:23 pm

    I’m sitting here making the funniest faces ever attempting this thing. Yeah, my baby lips definitely can’t do that.

  • Claire July 8, 2011, 2:23 pm

    I can, I had no idea that not everyone could do that!

  • Claire July 8, 2011, 2:26 pm

    Best. Pictures. Ever.

    Currently sitting at work (front desk receptionist) attempting to do this without people noticing as they walk by hahaaha I’m failing miserably (both at people not noticing and plugging my nose).

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:30 am

      Heheh that is cute 🙂 People will wonder what you are smelling.

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic July 8, 2011, 2:27 pm

    haha, this post is hilarious! I just spent like 2 minutes trying to do it, too! I think its possible (as in – my lip is long enough), but I have to physically push it up. I guess I haven’t developed upper lip muscles. I’ll work on that : )

  • Dori July 8, 2011, 2:27 pm

    Never heard of it, and can’t do it. I also can’t flare my nostrils. Not related, but it’s just one of those things that you either have or you don’t.

  • Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde July 8, 2011, 2:30 pm

    Yeah, i’ve been trying to do it at my desk at work
    Awkward and Impossible 🙂

  • Ashley July 8, 2011, 2:34 pm

    I swam competitively for 10 years growing up, and I did this! I was never actually taught to do it, I just started doing it as a natural instinct to keep water out of my nose. 🙂

  • Amy July 8, 2011, 2:36 pm

    This is hilarious. I have always been able to do this since I was a little kid and didn’t find out until I was probably a teenager that everyone couldn’t do it! I didn’t realize it was such a special talent. Too funny.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 8, 2011, 2:39 pm

    I read this at work and totally tried to do it… people must think I am nuts!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing July 8, 2011, 2:41 pm

    I just spent a good 5 minutes trying to do this. I only succeeded in making myself look like an idiot..

  • Errign July 8, 2011, 2:52 pm

    hahaha best photos ever.

  • Monica July 8, 2011, 2:58 pm

    Blow bubbles out your nose while turning; the water can’t get in that way. I time it so that I take a breath right before the flip. I then flip while blowing air out my nose. Try it!

  • becca (bellebottoms) July 8, 2011, 2:59 pm

    I was just sitting here trying it out, and my boss walked over to my office, looked at me, and just said, “I can’t tell whether you want to kiss me or if you just smelled something bad”….That’s when I dropped the pursed lips and burst out laughing….good day at work today 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:29 am

      bawhahah that’s funny becca 🙂

  • Jill July 8, 2011, 3:03 pm

    I feel so special! I’ve been doing the human nose clip since I was probably ten years old! Works like a charm!

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) July 8, 2011, 3:04 pm

    This is funnyyyy, even harder with the bottom lip (which is what I first tried before I realized you said upper lip)… imagining so many people sitting at their computers making the same ridiculous faces.

  • Jacalyn July 8, 2011, 3:04 pm

    This is so crazy! I can’t do it! Short upper lippers unite!

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul July 8, 2011, 3:08 pm

    HAHAHAHAHA!! OMGSHHHHH SERIOUSLY, THIS IS EMBARRASSING SO IT’S NOT A BRAG–but I am the master of curling up my upper lip!!! hahaha I do it all the time out of habit and sometimes for fun. My fiance thinks it’s soooo funny!! Maybe I’ll share a picture if I can find it 😛

  • Carolina John July 8, 2011, 3:10 pm

    Those pictures are hilarious! too funny. i can’t do it either.

  • Eve July 8, 2011, 3:12 pm

    I feel so talented, I can totally do that! I swim with a nose clip, so it’s not water up the nose that freaks me out, but I can’t flip without pretty much wanting to die of dizziness. Does practicing flips make it go away?

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:29 am

      Not sure! I don’t get dizzy when I flip.

  • Caitlin @ The Caitie Experiment July 8, 2011, 3:14 pm

    My coworkers want me to thank you for their comic relief today, as they managed to catch me trying to do it in my reflection off a painting in the hallway. My upper lip is SO not big enough…. but the laugh’s on them, because I’ve caught three of them trying so far! 😛

  • mi-an d. July 8, 2011, 3:18 pm

    haha just tried this and i CAN do it! you have to inhale really hard while you curl your upper lip…the inhalation works like a vacuum! it’s awesome!

  • Christine @ BookishlyB July 8, 2011, 3:26 pm

    I am laughing so hard right now.

  • Marissa C July 8, 2011, 3:33 pm

    Weird. I was a swimmer for years and never had an issue with water up the nose. I guess it is just instinct after awhile?

    PS–Any house news?

    • Caitlin July 8, 2011, 3:58 pm

      GIRLLLLL all the news i have re: the house is FML.

      worst…process…ever.

      • Marissa C July 8, 2011, 4:17 pm

        Lame!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:28 am

      House deal is officially dead 🙁 I’ll do a post about it sometime soon. I learned a lot that I hope will help others.

  • Holly (Faith, Food, Fitness) July 8, 2011, 3:33 pm

    I totally do the upper lip nose clip! It just takes practice–muscle memory!

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble July 8, 2011, 3:35 pm

    hahahaha! NO!! And I hope no one in my office just watched me try for 5 minutes!

  • Janelle July 8, 2011, 3:35 pm

    This is hysterical…thanks for the laugh!

  • Erin D. July 8, 2011, 3:50 pm

    That is incredible! I was a synchro swimmer in college and would never have dreamed of a nose clip-free life!

  • Clare - Never Niche July 8, 2011, 3:50 pm

    So the duckface DOES have a purpose! http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=duckface&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1210&bih=667

  • Katie July 8, 2011, 3:54 pm

    Haha I can do it! I was on a swim team as a kid, and I use to always plug my nose that way.

  • Ambre July 8, 2011, 3:56 pm

    You’re awesome. 🙂 Love the pics… I can’t do it either :-/

  • Stacy July 8, 2011, 3:59 pm

    Oh my gosh! This is the funniest thing ever! Now my husband and I are both trying to do it! Seriously…LOL!

  • Evan Thomas July 8, 2011, 4:02 pm

    I can’t do it! I’m going to go cry in the corner now.

  • erica July 8, 2011, 4:11 pm

    ok, i just tried doing this at my desk. FAIL.

  • Jacquelyn July 8, 2011, 4:19 pm

    I can do this too! When I learned how to swim underwater this is what I naturally did – and I thought everyone could do this for the longest time!

  • Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life July 8, 2011, 4:19 pm

    I’m sitting at my desk trying to do this and failed….majorly!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf July 8, 2011, 4:31 pm

    I can’t help but think that I look like a bit of a tit trying to do the human nose clip sat at my desk! Can Victoria send in a picture for HTP please?! I don’t believe it!!!

  • Sandy July 8, 2011, 4:44 pm

    HAHAHAHA! I just got caught trying this at work! Fail.

  • Meagan N. July 8, 2011, 4:46 pm

    My husband and his 2 sisters can plug their nose with their upper lip. They all do it when they swim. My hubby even does it when he washes his hair in the shower (as if water will go *up* his nose while it runs *down* his face? Don’t worry, I’ve already given him a hard time about it). I’ve tried for years to be able to do it with no luck. He won’t even jump in a pool or go under water without doing it. My 3 1/2 year old daughter can do it (and has been able to since she was about 20 months old), but she doesn’t do it when swimming… only if we ask her to do it.

    I think you can either do it or not… depending on the structure of your lips and nose. Seriously. Not everyone can do it.

    • Lea @ Healthy Coconut July 8, 2011, 5:14 pm

      Meagan, your comment about your husband made me laugh out loud.

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:27 am

      Haha your husband sounds hysterical!

  • Anne Weber-Falk July 8, 2011, 4:46 pm

    I can do it! You must relax the rest of your face and then pull your lower jaw forward a bit while pushing up. Then you should be able to plug your nose with area above your upper lip. Remember to relax the rest of your face. No scrunching your nose, eyes and forehead.

  • MacKenzie July 8, 2011, 4:51 pm

    I can! I do it all the time…just randomly sitting on my couch, and when I was a swimmer in High School.

    An easy way to do it….make a duck face, then smile keeping your lips together. The breathe in hard through your nose. Your lip will get sucked right up into your nostrils!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:26 am

      Duckfaces DO serve a purpose.

  • Rachael July 8, 2011, 4:53 pm

    What a cute post! I think I can do it, but I never used it to flip turn. I used to be a competitive swimmer and just blew out through my nose when I did flip turns. Practice makes perfect!

  • Hayley @ Oat Couture July 8, 2011, 4:58 pm

    Bahaha after 3 minutes solid of trying… nope, I cannot plug my nose with my lip! And for sure not whilst navigating my way round a swimming pool!! 😀

  • nadine July 8, 2011, 5:51 pm

    I can do it, but I think it would be way easier to use a nose clip. Just sayin……

    Sorry about the house! You will love again!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:26 am

      Thanks gurl 🙂

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 8, 2011, 5:59 pm

    I’m not even going to try.

    I have the tiniest lips ever!

  • Diane July 8, 2011, 6:09 pm

    Hahaha…my husband does this to plug his nose when he swims. I make fun of him for it because he has a built in nose plug and an unfair advantage! My upper lip is WAY too small and I can’t even come close. 🙁

  • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs July 8, 2011, 6:13 pm

    I definitely can’t do it and I definitely enjoyed this post 😛

  • Coco July 8, 2011, 6:14 pm

    I am not a swimmer, but maybe I should become one–I can TOTALLY do this!!! I have big lips I guess ahaha

    • Coco July 8, 2011, 6:15 pm

      p.s. did i mention i found out about this secret gem of a talent at work? haha

  • Laura July 8, 2011, 6:32 pm

    Omg, I can. How disturbing. 😀 I’m not sure if this means that I have a small nose or a big mouth. I’m going with the latter.

  • Marie July 8, 2011, 6:54 pm

    Haha I do this ALL the time… and I’m not a swimmer. It’s just one component of my “ugh this is annoying” or “ugh you’re annoying me” face. Now I know it might actually be useful someday. Sending you a picture!

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:25 am

      Bawhahah 🙂 Now you know!

  • hippierunner July 8, 2011, 7:13 pm

    Never realized that skill could come in handy! I have always done that and didn’t realize others couldn’t. Lol don’t I feel special now…except I don’t swim haha.

  • @HilaryFleming July 8, 2011, 7:21 pm

    Im not a good swimmer but i can totally do this. my husband always tells me how attractive it is. dead sexy.

  • Savannah(Sweet and Savvy) July 8, 2011, 7:27 pm

    Many failed attempts… I’m lacking this talent.:(

  • Kristin July 8, 2011, 7:28 pm

    I LOVED LITTLE BEE! We read it for book club too, about a year ago But I thought it was a terrific book. Glad you liked it too.

  • Laura July 8, 2011, 7:42 pm

    Well, now I have something to keep me entertained for a while 🙂 Seriously though, I bet its something you have to work up to. Might just have to develop the lip muscle to do it.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 8, 2011, 8:03 pm

    Haha I just tried it, and I can! Maybe I should take up swimming. 😛

  • Jenn July 8, 2011, 8:21 pm

    I think everyone reading this just tried it! haha
    I failed 🙁

  • Victoria July 8, 2011, 9:37 pm

    Being big on swimming, I have always blowed air out of my nose when tumble turning… isn’t that what everyone does? Then when you push off and resurface you take another breath- but in between then and turning you blow out your nose.

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:24 am

      Yea that’s the alternative!

  • Hannah July 8, 2011, 10:01 pm

    i seriosuly did this too. and i can!! haha funny–

  • Nancy July 8, 2011, 10:06 pm

    I can do this. I don’t swim at all though.

  • Michelle@ Crazy*Running*Legs July 8, 2011, 11:13 pm

    I tried this on the way home from work (I’m wondering if anyone caught me – I’m thinking it would have given them quite a laugh) and I CAN’T DO IT. I think it’s because I have thin lips. Not gonna happen. You are not alone.

  • Julia July 9, 2011, 12:18 am

    uhhh, is there a different way to plug your nose under water than the human nose clip…..must look into this…

    • CaitlinHTP July 9, 2011, 9:24 am

      yes, a real nose clip 🙂

  • maria @ Chasing the Now July 9, 2011, 5:08 am

    The Huz and I are doing it back and forth. He can’t do it, but I CAN! 🙂

  • Amber K July 9, 2011, 11:28 am

    I have the smallest, thinnest lips ever. It’s “unpossible” as Ralph would say 😉

  • Marissa July 9, 2011, 1:36 pm

    I can’t do it!! lol. I’ve never heard of this before, and I used to swim!

  • Carolyn B. July 10, 2011, 11:46 am

    Haha, your picture is awesome. I can do this and have always used this technique. I didn’t realize it was a capability that all people didn’t have. Too funny! 🙂

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 11, 2011, 3:01 am

    OMG – this is probably the funniest post I have read in a LONG, LONG time. I am seriously sitting here trying to do the human nose clip, and probably look like a freak! Ha – love it!

    And, no, I cannot do it.

  • Juani July 11, 2011, 6:20 am

    Ha!I’ve got a bit of a turned up nose,and a thin upper lip,so no nose clpping for me I’m afraid – they don’t even come close to touching each other.

    My 10 year old niece has total Angelina Jolie-lips,so she is excellent at doing the human nose clip.She can also touch her nose with her tongue!

  • Kristen @ The Concrete Runner July 11, 2011, 11:07 am

    My dad was a competitive swimmer and lifeguard growing up and this is how he still to this day plugs his nose! I can do it, but I can’t do it while swimming. Thus, I can’t do a flip turn because I always ALWAYS get water up my nose… Oh, and I can also touch my tongue to my nose, so can my dad, though I’m not sure this has anything to do with it!

  • Hannah Hawley July 11, 2011, 11:25 am

    Instead of just scrunching up, trying using your bottom lip to push your upper lip (while pushing your upper lip out a bit) into your nose.
    Very seksi look 🙂 I love using it for swimming!

  • Rebekah July 11, 2011, 6:28 pm

    I didn’t know people suggested that for turning. I’ve been trying it, and I can now do it. *bliss* 🙂

  • Shannon July 29, 2011, 2:52 pm

    So glad to discover this missed gem from your monthly recap post! I used to think I was the only one who did this! It actually messed up my jaw after a while though because I jut my lower jaw way forward to do it.

  • libor October 29, 2013, 2:58 am

    Hi, great and entertaining article ;). Just wanted to point out that your source link now throws 404 error. The original article is here: http://blog.swimator.com/2011/07/human-nose-clip-getting-water-up-my.html

  • Georgeisgreat May 30, 2015, 7:01 pm

    I CAN do the human nose clip. I have really big lips and their pretty close to my nose so i can do it really well. I’ve just never done it while I swim. I’ll start doing it though.

  • dave1992 August 3, 2015, 7:21 pm

    Some people can use their upper lip to cover their nostrils ; some can’t–like me 🙂
    You all will be shocked to know that there are two synchro swimmers who never
    use a noseclip + never do the upper lip thing either : Virginie Dedieu (France) &
    Mary Killman (US). Swiss synchro swimmer Magdalena Brunner (retired some years back)
    was also seen during several competitions sans noseclip.
    Virginie & Magda are from about the same competition era ( early 2000s — 2008 or 9 or thereabouts ) where the former came out of retirement to compete at Kazan.
    Although Christina does the upper-lip thing during synchro swims, she still must be getting H2O going up her nose at some point during the swim routine. Synchro swimming without a nc is a hard challenge. Hope this info was interesting. ciao everyone Bari

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