If you have been a cyclist or runner anfd are now trying swimming, a good coach will probably giggle at how inflexible your foot is. Most swimmers have great ankle and toe joint flexibility which enables them to kick efficiently.

A great stretch is to roll a towel up and place it under your toes as you kneel on your feet (some of you may sit like this for Yoga meditation) Let your weight gradually down onto your feet and you will feel the stretch in your toes. You can increase the size of the towel roll as you become more flexible.

Do these in conjunction with stretching your arches, and calves.

ALSO, if you are newer to swimming, you really only need a to develop 2 beat kick to race triathlon. As our legs use a huge amount of Oxygen and create more lactic acid; the more efficient your kicking is the more energy you will save.