6 - Swimming

The earliest recording of swimming dates back to stone age from around 10000 years ago. Now, swimming is a sport where everyone can participate in. Swimming is one of the most popular Olympic sports, with events  in freestyle,backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. I, for one, have the ability to perform all the strokes in swimming. Although I don't consider myself good at it. So what are those strokes used in swimming? I'm here to tell some additional information about it.

1. The Freestyle Stroke

Freestyle is fast and efficient. In fact, it is the fastest of all strokes. That's why it is used in freestyle competitions and in the swimming leg of triathlon.You can learn this easily.

2. The Breaststroke

Breaststroke is often  the first swimming stroke  taught to beginners. In fact, many occasional swimmers can only swim this stroke. The advantage of breaststroke is that you can keep your head above the water. This avoids breathing and orientation issues. More experienced swimmers however submerge their head during the stroke cycle to improve efficiency. Breaststroke is the slowest of all strokes.

3. Backstroke

As its name suggests, backstroke is swum on the back. It uses alternating circular arm movements and an above water recovery. The legs execute flutter kicks similar to the one used in freestyle.
Backstroke is faster than breaststroke but slower than butterfly. Doctors sometimes tell their patients to swim. Swimming can help you cure your back problems.

4. Butterfly stroke

The butterfly stroke stands out the most among the competitive strokes because of its unique and spectacular technique.  It uses a symmetrical arm stroke with an above water recovery. It also uses a wave-like body undulation and a dolphin kick. Butterfly is the second fastest stroke after freestyle. Once you mastered it, swimming a few lengths of butterfly can be a lot of fun.

Being able to perform those strokes is a lot of fun. Two years ago, I participated in a swimming competition. It was my first competition ever. I was nervous and told my coach that I don't have the skills to participate in the competition. My coach told me that " Nothing matters when you're in the water". After hearing those words, I realized that I just have to believe in myself. I got 7th place in the competition. Thanks to my coach, I was able to finish all the strokes. Swimming is really fun and I suggest you should try it.