History of swimming

Competitive swimming in Britain started around 1830, mostly using breaststroke. Swimming was part of the first modern
Olympic games in 1896 in Athens. In 1908, the world swimming association, Fdration Internationale de Natation (FINA),
was formed.
Ancient times
10,000-year-old rock paintings of people swimming were found in the Cave of Swimmers near Wadi Sura in southwestern
Egypt. These pictures seem to show breaststroke or doggy paddle, although it is also possible that the movements have a
ritual meaning unrelated to swimming.[1] An Egyptian clay seal dated between 9000 BCE and 4000 BCE shows four
people who are believed to be swimming a variant of the front crawl.
More references to swimming are found in the Babylonian bas- reliefs and Assyrian wall drawings, depicting a variant of
the breaststroke. The most famous drawings were found in the Kebir desert and are estimated to be from around 4000
BCE. The Nagoda bas-relief also shows swimmers inside of men dating back from 3000 BCE The Indian palace Mohenjo
Daro from 2800 BCE contains a swimming pool sized 30 m by 60 m. The Minoan palace of Knossos in Crete also
featured baths. An Egyptian tomb from 2000 BCE shows a variant of front crawl. Depictions of swimmers have also been
found from the Hittites, Minoans, and other Middle Eastern civilizations, in the Tepantitla compound at Teotihuacan, and in
mosaics in Pompeii.[2]
Written references date back to ancient times, with the earliest as early as 2000 BC. Such references occur in works like
Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Bible (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), Beowulf, and other sagas, although
the style is never described. There are also many mentions of swimmers in the Vatican, Borgian and Bourbon codices. A
series of reliefs from 850 BC in the Nimrud Gallery of the British Museum show swimmers, mostly in military context, often
using swimming aids. The Germanic folklore describes swimming, which was used successfully in wars against the
Romans.[2]
Early modern era
Swimming was initially one of the seven agilities of knights during the Middle Ages, including swimming with armour.
However, as swimming was done in a state of undress, it became less popular as society became more conservative in
the early Modern period.[3] Leonardo da Vinci made early sketches of lifebelts. In 1539, Nikolaus Wynmann, a German
professor of languages, wrote the first swimming book Colymbetes. His purpose was to reduce the dangers of drowning.
The book contained a good methodical approach to learning breaststroke, and mentioned swimming aids such as air filled
cow bladders, reed bundles, and cork belts.[2]
In 1587, Everard Digby also wrote a swimming book, claiming that humans could swim better than fish. [4] Digby was a
Senior Fellow at St. John's College, Cambridge and was interested in the scientific method. His short treatise, De arte
natandi, was written in Latin and contained over 40 woodcut illustrations depicting various methods of swimming,
including the breaststroke, backstroke and crawl. Digby regarded the breaststroke as the most useful form of swimming. [5]
In 1603, Emperor Go-Yozei of Japan declared that schoolchildren should swim.[6]
In 1696, the French author Melchisdech Thvenot wrote The Art of Swimming, describing a breaststroke very similar to
the modern breaststroke. This book was translated into English and became the standard reference of swimming for many
years to come.[7] In 1739, Guts Muts (also spelled as Guts Muth) from Schnepfenthal, Germany, wrote Gymnastik fr die
Jugend (Exercise for youth), including a significant portion about swimming. In 1794, Kanonikus Oronzio de Bernardi of
Italy wrote a two volume book about swimming, including floating practice as a prerequisite for swimming studies.
In 1798, Guts Muts wrote another book Kleines Lehrbuch der Schwimmkunst zum Selbstunterricht (Small study book of
the art of swimming for self-study), recommending the use of a "fishing rod" device to aid in the learning of swimming. His
books describe a three-step approach to learning to swim that is still used today. First, get the student used to the water;
second, practice the swimming movements out of the water; and third, practice the swimming movements in the water. He
believed that swimming is an essential part of every education. [8] The Haloren, a group of salt makers in Halle, Germany,
greatly advanced swimming through setting a good example to others by teaching their children to swim at a very early
age.
Swimming as a competitive sport
Swimming emerged as a competitive sport in the 1830s in England. In 1828, the first indoor swimming pool, St George's
Baths, was opened to the public.[8] By 1837, the National Swimming Society was holding regular swimming competitions in
six artificial swimming pools, built around London. The sport grew in popularity and by 1880, when the first national
governing body, the Amateur Swimming Association, was formed, there were already over 300 regional clubs in operation
across the country.[9]
In 1844 a swimming competition was held in London with the participation of two Native Americans. The British competitor
used the traditional breaststroke, while the Native Americans swam a variant of the front crawl, which had been used by
people in the Americas for generations, but was not known to the British. The winning medal went to 'Flying Gull' who
swam the 130-foot length in just 30 seconds the Native American swimming method proved to be a much faster style
than the British breaststroke. The Times of London reported disapprovingly that the Native American stroke was an
unrefined motion with the arms "like a windmill" and the chaotic and unregulated kicking of the legs. The considerable

splashing that the stroke caused was deemed to be barbaric and "un-European" to the British gentlemen, who preferred to
keep their heads over the water. Subsequently, the British continued to swim only breaststroke until 1873. The British did,
however, adapt the breaststroke into the speedier sidestroke, where the swimmer lies to one side; this became the more
popular choice by the late 1840s. In 1895, J. H. Thayers of England swam 100 yards (91 m) in a record-breaking 1:02.50
using a sidestroke.
Sir John Arthur Trudgen picked up the hand-over stroke from South American natives he observed swimming on a trip to
Buenos Aires. On his return to England in 1868, he successfully debuted the new stroke in 1873 and won a local
competition in 1875. Although the new stroke was really the reintroduction of a more intuitive method for swimming, one
that had been in evidence in ancient cultures such as Ancient Assyria, his method revolutionised the state of competitive
swimming his stroke is still regarded as the most powerful to use today. In his stroke, the arms were brought forward,
alternating, while the body rolled from side to side. The kick was a scissors kick such as that familiarly used in
breaststroke, with one kick for two arm strokes, although it is believed that the Native Americans had indeed used a flutter
kick. Front crawl variants used different ratios of scissor kicks to arm strokes, or alternated with a flutter (up-and-down)
kick. The speed of the new stroke was demonstrated by F.V.C. Lane in 1901, swimming 100 yards (91 m) in 1:00.0, an
improvement of about ten seconds compared to the breaststroke record. Due to its speed the Trudgen became very
quickly popular around the world, despite all the ungentlemanlike splashing.
Captain Matthew Webb was the first man to swim the English Channel (between England and France), in 1875. He used
breaststroke, swimming 21.26 miles (34.21 km) in 21 hours and 45 minutes. His feat was not replicated or surpassed for
the next 36 years, until T.W. Burgess made the crossing in 1911. Other European countries also established swimming
federations; Germany in 1882, France in 1890 and Hungary in 1896. The first European amateur swimming competitions
were in 1889 in Vienna. The world's first women's swimming championship was held in Scotland in 1892.
Nancy Edberg popularised women's swimming in Stockholm from 1847. She made swimming lessons accessible for both
genders and later introduced swimming lessons for women in Denmark and Norway. Her public swimming exhibitions
from 1856 with her students were likely among the first public exhibitions of women swimming in Europe.
In 1897, Capt. Henry Sheffield designed a rescue can or rescue cylinder, now well known as the lifesaving device. The
pointed ends made it slide faster through the water, although it can cause injuries.
Olympic era
Alfrd Hajs, swimmer who won the first Olympic Gold medal.The Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, a maleonly competition. Six events were planned for the swimming competition, but only four events were actually contested:
100 m, 500 m, and 1200 m freestyle and 100 m for sailors. The first gold medal was won by Alfrd Hajs of Hungary in
the 100 m freestyle. Hajs was also victorious in the 1200 m event, and was unable to compete in the 500 m, which was
won by Austrian Paul Neumann.
The second Olympic games in Paris in 1900 featured 200 m, 1000 m, and 4000 m freestyle, 200 m backstroke, and a
200 m team race (see also Swimming at the 1900 Summer Olympics). There were two additional unusual swimming
events (although common at the time): an obstacle swimming course in the Seine river (swimming with the current), and
an underwater swimming race. The 4000 m freestyle was won by John Arthur Jarvis in under one hour, the longest
Olympic swimming race until the 10k marathon swim was introduced in 2008. The backstroke was also introduced to the
Olympic Games in Paris, as was water polo. The Osborne Swimming Club from Manchester beat club teams from
Belgium, France and Germany quite easily.
The Trudgen stroke was improved by Australian-born Richmond Cavill. Cavill, whose father Frederick Cavill narrowly
failed to swim the English Channel, is credited with developing the stroke after observing a young boy from the Solomon
Islands. Cavill and his brothers spread the Australian crawl to England, New Zealand and America. Richmond used this
stroke in 1902 at an International Championships in England to set a new world record by out swimming all Trudgen
swimmers over the 100 yards (91 m) in 0:58.4
The Olympics in 1904 in St. Louis included races over 50 yards (46 m), 100 yards, 220 yards (200 m), 440 yards, 880
yards (800 m) and one mile (1.6 km) freestyle, 100 yards (91 m) backstroke and 440 yards (400 m) breaststroke, and the
4x50 yards freestyle relay (see also Swimming at the 1904 Summer Olympics). These games differentiated between
breaststroke and freestyle, so that there were now two defined styles (breaststroke and backstroke) and freestyle, where
most people swam Trudgen. These games also featured a competition to plunge for distance, where the distance without
swimming, after jumping in a pool, was measured.
In 1908, the world swimming association Fdration Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) was formed.
Women were first allowed to swim in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, competing in freestyle races. In the 1912
games, Harry Hebner of the United States won the 100 m backstroke. At these games Duke Kahanamoku from Hawaii
won the 100 m freestyle, having learned the six kicks per cycle front crawl from older natives of his island. This style is
now considered the classical front crawl style. The men's competitions were 100 m, 400 m, and 1500 m freestyle, 100 m
backstroke, 200 m and 400 m breaststroke, and four by 200 m freestyle relay. The womens competitions were 100 m
freestyle and four by 100 m freestyle relay.
The Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG) (German lifesaving organization) was established on October 19,
1913 in Leipzig after 17 people drowned while trying to board the cruise steamer Kronprinz Wilhelm. In the same year the
first elastic swimsuit was made by the sweater company Jantzen.

In 1922, Johnny Weissmuller became the first person to swim the 100 m in less than a minute, using a six kicks per cycle
Australian crawl. Johnny Weissmuller started the golden age of swimming, winning five Olympic medals and 36 national
championships and never losing a race in his ten-year career, until he retired from swimming and started his second
career starring as Tarzan in film. His record of 51 seconds in 100-yard (91 m) freestyle stood for over 17 years. In the
same year, Sybil Bauer was the first woman to break a mens world record over the 440 m backstroke in 6:24.8.
At the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, lane dividers made of cork were used for the first time, and lines on the pool
bottom aided with orientation.
Swimming innovation
Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m Long and Short Course
Butterfly-Backstroke-Breaststroke-Freestyle
The scientific study of swimming began in 1928 with David Armbruster, a coach at the University of Iowa, who filmed
swimmers underwater. The Japanese also used underwater photography to research the stroke mechanics, and
subsequently dominated the 1932 Summer Olympics. Armbruster also researched a problem of breaststroke where the
swimmer was slowed down significantly while bringing the arms forward underwater. In 1934 Armbruster refined a method
to bring the arms forward over water in breaststroke. While this "butterfly" technique was difficult, it brought a great
improvement in speed. One year later, in 1935, Jack Sieg, a swimmer also from the University of Iowa developed a
technique involving swimming on his side and beating his legs in unison similar to a fish tail, and modified the technique
afterward to swim it face down. Armbruster and Sieg combined these techniques into a variant of the breaststroke called
butterfly with the two kicks per cycle being called dolphin fishtail kick. Using this technique Sieg swam 100 yards (91 m) in
1:00.2. However, even though this technique was much faster than regular breaststroke, the dolphin fishtail kick violated
the rules and was not allowed. Therefore, the butterfly arms with a breaststroke kick were used by a few swimmers in the
1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin for the breaststroke competitions. In 1938, almost every breaststroke swimmer was
using this butterfly style, yet this stroke was considered a variant of the breaststroke until 1952, when it was accepted as a
separate style with a set of rules.
Around that time another modification to the backstroke became popular. Previously, the arms were held straight during
the underwater push phase, for example by the top backstroke swimmer from 1935 to 1945, Adolph Kiefer. However,
Australian swimmers developed a technique where the arms are bent under water, increasing the horizontal push and the
resulting speed and reducing the wasted force upward and sideways. This style is now generally used worldwide.
In 1935 topless swimsuits for men were worn for the first time during an official competition. In 1943, the US ordered the
reduction of fabric in swimsuits by 10% due to wartime shortages, resulting in the first two piece swimsuits. Shortly
afterwards the Bikini was invented in Paris by Louis Reard (officially) or Jacques Heim (earlier, but slightly larger).
Another modification was developed for breaststroke. In breaststroke, breaking the water surface increases the friction,
reducing the speed of the swimmer. Therefore, swimming underwater increases the speed. This led to a controversy at
the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, and six swimmers were disqualified as they repeatedly swam long distances
underwater between surfacing to breathe. The rule was changed to require breaststroke to be swum at the surface
starting with the first surfacing after the start and after each turn. However, one Japanese swimmer, Masaru Furukawa,
circumvented the rule by not surfacing at all after the start, but swimming as much of the lane under water as possible
before breaking the surface. He swam all but 5 m under water for the first three 50 m laps, and also swam half under
water for the last lap, winning the gold medal. The adoption of this technique led to many swimmers suffering from oxygen
starvation or even some swimmers passing out during the race due to a lack of air, and a new breaststroke rule was
introduced by FINA, additionally limiting the distance that can be swum under water after the start and every turn, and
requiring the head to break the surface every cycle. The 1956 Games in Melbourne also saw the introduction of the flip
turn, a sort of tumble turn to faster change directions at the end of the lane.
In 1972, another famous swimmer, Mark Spitz, was at the height of his career. During the 1972 Summer Olympics in
Munich, Germany, he won seven gold medals. Shortly thereafter in 1973, the first swimming world championship was held
in Belgrade, Yugoslavia by the FINA.
Breaking the water surface reduces the speed in swimming. The swimmers Daichi Suzuki (Japan) and David Berkoff
(America) used this for the 100 m backstroke at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Berkoff swam 33 m of the first lane
completely underwater using only a dolphin kick, far ahead of his competition. A sports commentator called this a Berkoff
Blastoff. Suzuki, having practiced the underwater technique for 10 years, surfaced only a little bit earlier, winning the race
in 55.05. At that time, this was not restricted by FINA backstroke rules. The backstroke rules were quickly changed in the
same year by the FINA to ensure the health and safety of the swimmers, limiting the underwater phase after the start to
ten meters, which was expanded to 15 m in 1991. In Seoul, Kristin Otto from East Germany won six gold medals, the
most ever won by a woman.
Another innovation is the use of flip turns for backstroke. According to the rules, a backstroke swimmer had to touch the
wall while lying less than 90 degrees out of the horizontal. Some swimmers discovered that they could turn faster if they
rolled almost 90 degrees sideways, touched the wall, and made a forward tumble turn, pushing off the wall on their backs.
The FINA has changed the rules to allow the swimmers to turn over completely before touching the wall to simplify this
turn and to improve the speed of the races.
Similarly, the dolphin-kick underwater swimming technique is now also used for butterfly. Consequently, in 1998 FINA
introduced a rule limiting swimmers to 15 meters underwater per lap before they must surface. After underwater swimming

for freestyle and backstroke, the underwater swimming technique is now also used for butterfly, for example by Denis
Pankratov (Russia) or Angela Kennedy (Australia), swimming large distances underwater with a dolphin kick. FINA is
again considering a rule change for safety reasons. It is faster to do butterfly kick underwater for the first few meters off
the wall than swimming at the surface. In 2005, FINA declared that you may take 1 underwater dolphin kick in the motion
of a breaststroke pull-out.
In 1998, Benot Lecomte swam across the Atlantic Ocean, a total of 5,600 kilometres in 72 days, swimming 6 to 8 hours
daily. He was accompanied by three sailors on a boat. The Rocky Mountain News disputed what he did could be
described as having swum across the Atlantic.[14]
Sophisticated bodyskins were banned from FINA competitions from the start of 2010 after many national swimming
federations demanded the action, and leading athletes such as Michael Phelps and Rebecca Adlington criticized the suits.
[15]

Equipment Used in Swimming

Overview
Whether you are an Olympic swimmer or someone who is stepping into a swimming pool for the first time, odds are you
are going to end up using some form of equipment to assist you while in the water. Equipment ranges in purpose from
tools used in competitive swimming, to recreational equipment for snorkeling and other water sports. New swimmers
especially depend on swimming equipment to help with form and technique when learning new strokes in the water.
Earplugs/Nose Clips
Some swimmers use earplugs to block water from entering the ear canal while they are swimming. Excess water entering
the ear can cause discomfort for several hours after swimming and can also increase your chances of developing an outer
ear infection, known as "swimmer's ear." Some swimmers also use nose clips to prevent water from entering their nose
while they are swimming.
Goggles
Most pools contain high levels of chlorine or other chemicals to help keep the water free of bacteria and control the growth
of algae in the water, states the Environmental Protection Agency. However, chlorine can irritate the eyes. Goggles allow
you to see while your head is immersed in the water, without having to worry about chlorine irritation.
Training Tools
Numerous pieces of swimming equipment are designed to help in strength training and technique while swimming. For
example, pull buoys are foam flotation devices that can be placed between the legs and used to strengthen and place
focus on arm technique. The pull buoy forces swimmers to rely less on their legs to push through the water and more on
the arms. Swim paddles develop arm strength by increasing resistance in the water, and they also help develop proper
stroke mechanics. Kickboards switch the majority of work onto the legs when swimming to strengthen the legs as well as
help develop proper kicking technique, states the U.S. Masters Swimming organization. Stretch cords and resistance
bands develop both arm and leg strength.
Swim Caps
The swim cap is a piece of equipment that provides multiple benefits. For professional swimmers, swim caps reduce drag
to increase speed in the water. Swim caps also keep hair out of the face, help reduce the effects of chlorine on the hair
and help swimmers retain body heat when they are swimming in colder water.
Competition Equipment
Competitive swimmers use several additional pieces of equipment. For example, coaches and timers at meets use
stopwatches to help keep track of completion times for swimmers. Swimmers use lap counters in competition to help keep
track of how many more laps they need to complete their event. Lane dividers consist of buoys that are strung on ropes
and placed across the pool to divide the water into several swimming lanes.
Recreational Equipment
Some swimming equipment falls in the recreational category, including devices such as snorkeling masks and swimming
fins, which allow swimmers to navigate natural aquatic environments such as lakes, seas and the ocean.

Swimming stroke
Swimming styles

Front crawl: the fastest style.

o

Dolphin crawl: Similar to front crawl, but with a dolphin kick. One kick per arm or two kicks per cycle. This
style is often used in training.

Catch up stroke: A variation of the front crawl where one arm always rests at the front while the other arm
performs one cycle. continue in use. This can also be used as a drill when training in competitive
swimming.

Head-high crawl (also known as the water polo stroke, lifeguard approach stroke, or Tarzan drill): This
stroke is used for water polo, lifeguards to keep the victim in sight, or those who simply want to see where
they're going and breathe with ease. It is similar to front crawl, but with head above the water. This can
also be used as a drill when training in competitive swimming.

Trudgen: The trudgen is similar to the front crawl, except that it is swum with a scissors kick, similar to that used in
the breaststroke.
o

Trudgen crawl: similar to the trudgen, but with the use of a flutter kick (up and down leg kick) between the
scissors kicks.

Double trudgen: Similar to the trudgen, but the sides of the scissors kick alternate.

Double trudgen crawl: Similar to the double trudgen, but with a flutter kick between the scissors kick
alternate.

Butterfly stroke: performed face down in the water. The legs perform a dolphin kick and while the arms move in a
forward circle at the same time.
o

Breaststroke: performed face down in the water without rotating the torso. The arms stay in the water and move
synchronously, while the legs perform a whipkick. It is possible to keep the head elevated out of the water
throughout the stroke, although the head usually dips in and out.
o

Inverted breaststroke: Similar to elementary backstroke, but with a breaststroke kick and arm motions.

Backstroke (also known as back crawl): Similar to the front crawl, but done while lying on the back. One arm
reaches behind the head with a pinky finger tip entry while the other arm is by the side.
o

Elementary backstroke: Both arms move synchronized (They begin out like an airplane, then go beside
the body like a soldier then they run up your sides and back out to an airplane position) with whip kick
(breaststroke kick).

Inverted butterfly: Similar to elementary backstroke, but with a dolphin kick. This is often used for training.

Back double trudgen: Similar to the backstroke, but with a scissors kick to alternating sides.

Sidestroke: On the side, pull the water as if with a rope with arms going out and stopping in the middle, while
ensuring that the strokes are most hydrodynamic when moving towards the desired location, and pushing the
most water when moving away from the location. In addition, the legs are performing a scissors kick, which is like
breaststroke kick, but sideways.
o

Lifesaving stroke: Similar to the side stroke, but only the bottom arm moves while the top arm tows a
swimmer in distress.

Combat sidestroke: This stroke was developed and used by the United States Navy SEALs and is
designed to be more efficient and reduce profile in the water.

Dog paddle: face over water and paddling with alternate hands, often with the nose and mouth above the water.
This stroke can be used in reverse to propel the body feet first.
o

Slow butterfly (also known as "moth stroke"): Similar to butterfly, but with an extended gliding phase,
Breathing during the pull/push phase, return head into water during recovery. This style uses two kicks
per cycle.

Human stroke: Similar to the dog paddle, but the arms reach out more and pull farther down.

Survival travel stroke: Alternating underwater arm stroke, one cycle for propulsion, one for lift to stay on the
surface. This style is slow but sustainable.

Breast feet first strokes: With legs extended, use the arms with a pushing, flapping, clapping or uplifting motion.

Snorkeling: Swimming on the breast using a snorkel, usually in combination with masks and fins. Any stroke on
the breast can be used, and there is no need to lift or turn the head for breathing.

Finswimming is the progression of a swimmer using fins either on the water surface or under water. Finswimming
is usually done on the breast.

An arm and a leg: is the progression of a swimmer clasping one leg with the opposite arm, and using breaststroke
movements with the remaining arm and leg.

Flutter back finning: Symmetrically underwater arm recovery with flutter kick.

Feet first swimming: A very slow stroke on the back where a breaststroke movement with the arms propels the
body forward feet first. Also the arms can be lifted out of the water and pulled backwards together with a scooping
movement. Alternatively, the arms can be raised behind the head, alternately or together pushing with the hands,
propelling the body. Similarly, the hands can be brought together in a clapping action. These strokes are often
used for training.

Corkscrew swimming: Alternating between front crawl and backstroke every arm. This leads to a constant rotation
of the swimmer. The stroke is used mainly for training purposes and is also sometimes known as Newfie Stroke,
referring to Newfoundland. When rotating every third stroke, this is called waltz crawl.

Gliding: The swimmer is stretched with the arms to the front, the head between the arms and the feet to the back.
This streamlined shape minimizes resistance and allows the swimmer to glide, for example after a start, a push off
from a wall, or to rest between strokes.

Turtle stroke: On the breast, extend right arm then pull, after pushing with the left leg (while opposite limbs are
recovering), then opposite limbs repeat this process, i. e. left arm pulls after right leg pushes. Uses muscles of the
waist. Head can easily be above or below water: this is a slow but very sustainable stroke, common in turtles and
newts.

Oarstroke/Moth Stroke: Recreationally and unofficially developed, the oarstroke consists of the opposite motions
of the butterfly stroke, hence, the alternate moniker: "mothstroke"; unlike the butterfly stroke the swimmer is
moving in a backwards direction. The arms are moved in a circular motion akin to the butterfly stroke. The legs
are however, kicked out in the breaststroke position. The Moth Stroke is not to be confused with the "slow butterfly
stroke" which also can be alternately labeled as the "moth stroke."

Special purpose styles

A number of strokes are only used for special purposes, e.g. to manipulate an object (a swimmer in distress, a ball), or
just to stay afloat.
Underwater swimming
Any style with underwater recovery can be swum under water for certain distances depending on the need for air.
Underwater swimming on the back has the additional problem of water entering the nose. To avoid this, the swimmer can
breathe out through the nose or wear a nose clip. Some swimmers can close their nostrils with the upper lip or with the
compressor naris muscles.

Pull-down Breaststroke: most common swim stroke underwater as it requests very low energy. Main application is
for dynamic apnea (DNF)

Dolphin kick: really fast underwater swimming style e.g. Ryan Lochte 50m Underwater - 20.8 SCY

Sea lion stroke: this swimming stroke is primarily performed with sculling, arms at the side along the bodyline and
strongly supported with flutter kicks in a contralateral sequencing. It can be identified to the sea lion swimming
style. It's very effective to swim through narrow underwater places.

Lifesaving strokes

Lifesaving stroke: Similar to the side stroke, but only the bottom arm moves while the top arm tows a swimmer in
distress.

Lifesaving approach stroke (also known as head-up front crawl or Tarzan stroke): Similar to the front crawl, but
with the eyes to the front above the water level, such as to observe the surroundings as for example a swimmer in
distress or a ball.

Pushing rescue stroke: This stroke helps assisting a tired swimmer: The tired swimmer lies on the back and the
rescuer swims a breaststroke kick and pushes against the soles of the tired swimmer (not taught or recognized by
the RLSS body governing UK lifeguarding).

Pulling rescue stroke: This stroke helps assisting a swimmer in distress. The both swimmers lie on the back, and
the rescuer grabs the armpits of the swimmer in distress and performs a breaststroke kick (on the back) for
forward motion. The kick has to be not too shallow as otherwise the victim will be hit.

Extended Arm Tow (unconscious victim): swimming sidestroke or breaststroke on their back the rescuer holds the
head with a straight arm the hand cupping underneath the chin, and ensures that the mouth and nose are out of
the water.

Arm Tow: the rescuer swims sidestroke, behind the casualty holds the upper right arm of a casualty with their left
hand or vice versa lifting the casualty out of the water.

Vice Grip Turn and Trawl: used on a victim with a suspected spinal injury. The lifeguard approaches slowly to the
victim (who is usually face down in water), places one hand on the victim's chin, with arm pressed firmly against
the victim's chest. The other hand is placed on the back of the victim's head with the arm down the victim's back.
Both arms press together (like a vice), and the lifeguard uses his feet to begin moving forward and then rolls
under the victim to come up alongside her or him but with the victim now on his or her back. (This is one of the
hardest lifesaving maneuvers, as the grip must be perfect on the first attempt; otherwise the victim may be given
further spinal damage, such as paralysis.)

Clothes swimming: The swimmer is wearing clothes that restrict movement when wet, i.e. almost all clothes. This
is done to practice situations where the swimmer fell in the water dressed or the rescuer did not have time to
undress. Due to the restricted movement and the weight of wet clothes out of the water, an overarm recovery is
not possible. Most swimmers swim breaststroke, but any stroke with underwater recovery is feasible.

Rescue tube swimming: The lifeguard pulls a flotation device, which is pushed forward when approaching the
victim.

Without forward motion

Survival floating (also known as dead man float and drownproofing): Lying on the prone (face down in water) with
minimal leg movement, and staying afloat with the natural buoyancy. Lift the head to breathe only then back to
floating. This style is only to stay afloat and to rest.

Back floating: Similar to the survival floating, except on the back.

Treading water: The swimmer is in the water head up and feet down. Different kicks, such as the eggbeater kick,
and hand movements are used to stay afloat. This is useful to keep the head out of the water for a better view or
to catch an object as for example in water polo.

Sculling: This is a figure 8 movement of the hands for forward motion or upward lift. Used in surf lifesaving, water
polo, synchronized swimming and treading water.

Turtle float: The knees are raised to the chest and encircled by the arms.

Jellyfish float: Holding the ankles with the hands.

Head first surface dive.

5 Types of Swimming Styles

Swimmers should learn as many different swimming techniques as possible, since each of them will put your body in a
different position and will use different muscles. This can hold importance if you ever find yourself swimming for a lengthy
distance, as it can help prevent fatigue by allowing you to rest in certain positions. Competitive swimmers should also
learn multiple swimming techniques, since it gives you the chance to compete in more than one event.
Front Crawl
You will commonly hear the front crawl referred to as the freestyle stroke, since the majority of the swimmers in a freestyle
event use it because it provides the most speed. The front crawl calls for you to kick hard with your feet, while bringing
your arms over your head and into the water one at a time. You must keep your body as straight as possible, as any
lateral movements will slow you down. Your breathing also holds importance, as you must time the breaths that you take
with your swimming strokes.

Backstroke
The backstroke has many similarities to the front crawl, except that you float on your back, rather than propelling your
front through the water first. You will begin this stroke by floating in the water with your lungs on the surface, but the rest of
your body beneath the water. You must keep yourself horizontal as you move through the water, which you will achieve
through your leg kicks. Your stroke will involve pulling the water beneath you, which will propel your body through the
water.
Butterfly
The butterfly stroke calls for you to bring both arms over your head at the same time and push them into the water to
propel yourself. The butterfly stroke uses a dolphin-style kick, which means that your legs will stay straight and together as
you kick them through the water. When using the butterfly stroke, you must remember to stabilize yourself with your core
and create a rhythm between the underwater and above-water portions of the stroke.
Breaststroke
The breaststroke uses a frog-style kick, where you will bend your knees and then kick your legs out beneath the water.
Your arm stroke will begin with a sweep out from your breast and then a sweep in back to your breast. Make sure that
your body remains completely straight between your strokes, as this will allow your body to move through the water easily
at this time.
Sidestroke
Although not used in competition, the sidestroke holds importance for swimmers because you can use it to rescue
someone, since it only requires one arm. The stroke resembles picking apples, as you will float on your side, reach up like
when picking an apple and then reach down like when putting the apple into a basket. You can glide in between strokes,
which allows you to move easily through the water while tugging along some person or thing.