Q: Will the Series 2 watch track swimming appropriately if using a kick board (not using the arms to swim)?

I used my series 2 during my swim today for the first time. It did a great job of tracking my laps....freestyle, free with paddles and free with fins. But it did not register any of my kicking. I only kicked dolphin on my back (no arms). I swam 3500yds plus 250 kick it didn't register at all. Next time I might try to kick on my stomach but without a board and use my arms a bit to breathe.  Overall I was impressed though.

It won't count laps for kicking (nor will a Garmin). You need to be moving your arms for it to register.  So I pause my workout while kicking. It stinks, but I'm not sure a way around it.  Maybe if you used the open water setting vs pool as the open water uses GPS.  I haven't tried that yet.  Happy Swimming!

Attach the watch to your foot.

watchOS is designed to recognise arm strokes for swimming, not foot kicks.

It is also designed to improve the accuracy of estimates over time, based on your stroke efficiency.

I don't know about you, but my ankle is a tad larger than my wrist.  Even with the largest band, I don't think it would fit. Excellent thought, I wish it would work! I guess I can ask my lane mate to wear it while I kick.

Mine would fit on my ankle but I ordered the Nike edition so it will not be here for a month or so