About Swimming
Swimming is movement through water using one's head, and usually with artificial apparatus. Swimming is an activity that can be both useful and recreational.
History
Swimming has been known since prehistoric times; the earliest records of swimming date back to Stone Age paintings from around 7,000 years ago. Written references date from 2000 BC. Some of the earliest references include the Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Bible (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), Beowulf, and other sagas. In 1538, Nikolaus Wynmann, a German professor of languages, wrote the first swimming book, The Swimmer or A Dialogue on the Art of Swimming (Der Schwimmer oder ein Zweigespräch über die Schwimmkunst). Competitive swimming in Europe started around 1800, mostly using breaststroke. In 1873 John Arthur Trudgen introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native Americans. Due to a British disregard for splashing, Trudgen employed a scissor kick instead of the front crawl's flutter kick. Swimming was part of the first modern Olympic games (1896 in Athens). In 1902 Richard Cavill introduced the front crawl to the Western world. In 1908, the world swimming association, Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), was formed. Butterfly was developed in the 1930s and was at first a variant of breaststroke until it was accepted as a separate style in 1952.
Aquatic Rescue and Safety by Dennis Graver Paperback 2004 NEW 256 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Aquatic Rescue and Safety Be prepared for water emergencies! If you are responsible for the welfare of those who spend time in or around the water—as an aquatic manager scuba diving instructor firefighter law enforcement officer or emergency rescue worker—or if you’re a water sport enthusiast yourself then you need to know how to prevent and manage aquatic accidents. This potentially lifesaving guide shows you how. The only book of its kind Aquatic Rescue and Safety provides detailed information on how to identify treat and prevent all types of submersion injuries from drowning hypothermia and cramps to injuries of the heart lungs head and spinal cord. It also contains special secti more here.....
Rookie Coaches Swimming Guide by American Sports Education Program Paperback 1995 NEW 80 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Rookie Coaches Swimming Guide The Rookie Coaches Swimming Guide provides a unique combination of coaching advice and swimming expertise for the beginning youth swimming coach. This concise book presents the basic principles of coaching and shows you how to teach fundamental swimming skills to young swimmers. The Rookie Coaches Swimming Guide was developed by the American Sport Education Program—America`s premier coaching education program. With contributions by John Leonard executive director of the American Swim Coaches Association this guide details: • your major responsibilities as a coach • the tools required to be an effective coach • the communication skills more details.....
Teaching Swimming and Water Safety by Austswim Paperback 2001 NEW 184 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Teaching Swimming and Water Safety Discover a new and better way to teach aquatics! Australia has long been recognized as one of the world leaders in swimming and aquatics education. Through a new series of books by AUSTSWIM instructors around the world can now incorporate new and better ways to teach aquatics. In Teaching Swimming and Water Safety aquatic education experts at AUSTSWIM provide a proven effective program for teaching swimming and water safety to children. You will learn how to • implement important safety procedures; • use a variety of water familiarization techniques; • de extra info.....
Breakthrough Swimming by Cecil Colwin Paperback 2002 NEW 262 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Breakthrough Swimming Never before has one book taken such a comprehensive look at the evolution science and coaching application of competitive swimming. In Breakthrough Swimming legendary swimming coach and researcher Cecil Colwin provides a rich perspective on the development of the sport and explains major advances in stroke mechanics training methods and racing techniques. Accompanied by richly detailed illustrations this engaging text is one of the most insightful written works on the sport. It makes clear sense out of the scientific principles and puts into context the historical changes in the sport. Not only will you gain a greater understanding of competitive swimming through its origins and evolution but you’ll also gain these valuable skills: more information.....
Scuba Diving Safety by Dan Orr and Eric Douglas Paperback 2007 NEW 216 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Scuba Diving Safety The beautiful locales exotic plant and sea life and relaxing environs of dive locations are even more peaceful when you are armed with the expertise and skill to stay safe in any situation. With self-rescues buddy rescues open-water resuscitation and towing techniques Scuba Diving Safety will become your most valuable diving companion. Covering a full range of underwater environments as well as dangerous marine life entanglements and equipment failures this vital resource is an essential reference for every underwater enthusiast. Do not rely on someone else—or chance—to keep you safe. Let Scuba Diving Safety help you prepare for the unexpected and provide the confidence to enjoy your underwater adventures to the fullest. About Dan Orr Dan Orr is president and CEO of the Divers Alert Network (DAN) an international scuba diving safety organization. A veteran diver of more than 40 years Orr joined DAN in 1991 and immediately established the DAN training department and the Oxygen for Scuba Diving course a standard in find out more.....
The Swimming Drill Book by Ruben Guzman Paperback 2007 NEW 296 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About The Swimming Drill Book Improve your times by improving your technique! Whether you are a competitive swimmer coach triathlete or dedicated fitness enthusiast The Swimming Drill Book will propel you to better results by maximizing efficiency in the water. With 128 highly effective drills expert instruction and more than 375 detailed illustrations you can use this comprehensive resource to improve every facet of your swimming. Establish a greater sense of balance and position in the water; maintain perfect form for the freestyle backstroke breaststroke and butterfly; and master the techniques for starts turns and finishes. Use the drills individually or create a personalized program based on your goals and fitness level. Either way the tools you need are within your grasp. Dive into The Swimming Drill Book and see fast results! About Ruben Guzman Ruben Guzman a United States Swimming (USS) coach f find out more.....
Water Exercise by Martha White Paperback 1995 NEW 192 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Water Exercise Water exercise is excellent for physical therapy and fitness because it enhances range of motion and eases pain of movement. Now a single book makes it easy for you to design your own water exercise program whether for injury rehabilitation special conditions cross-training or just shaping up. Water Exercise features 78 clearly described and illustrated exercises that range from beginning to advanced levels of difficulty. The book also features complete exercise programs for specific injuries and conditions and for improved fitness. You can tailor each program to suit your needs so no matter which exercise program you choose you`ll start at the appropriate level and progress safely into more challenging movements. Part I discusses the rehabilitative benefits of water exercise along with guidelines for customizing your workout prog more here.....
Water Fun by Terri Lees Paperback 2007 NEW 192 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Water Fun Swimming participation in the United States rose to 58 million in 2005 according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. A popular activity for both fun and fitness swimming is now easier to learn enjoy and use as exercise with Water Fun. Including more than 100 stunts skills games and workouts that may be tailored to meet specific needs this book has something for every age and skill level. To help beginners gain confidence in the water basic water exercises that may be performed in a vertical position are provided along with workout options that do not require participants to be fully submerged in the water. Water Fun also includes activities for exercisers who want to transition from water exercise to swimming. Athlete more details.....
Fitness Swimming Second Edition by Emmett Hines Paperback 2008 NEW 232 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Fitness Swimming Want more from your workout? Whether you seek to improve your technique trim your times swim greater distances or simply improve your fitness level Fitness Swimming will help you achieve your goals all in full-color. Expert swim coach Emmett Hines has created 60 new workouts and 16 sample programs each arranged into suggested training zones to correspond to your fitness level and performance goals. Over a dozen cutting-edge technique drills help you progressively build an effective freestyle stroke. The text covers stretching warm-up and cool-down methods heart rate zone targets expanded instruction for strok more details.....
Janet Evan's Total Swimming by Janet Evans Paperback 2007 NEW 224 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Janet Evan's Total Swimming Improve your fitness level achieve your swimming goals and maximize your workouts with the help of four-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans! Whether you have been swimming laps for years want to get back into the water or have a competitive streak for masters meets or triathlons Janet Evans’ Total Swimming has you covered. A total of 60 workouts and 12 progressive programs allow you to tailor your swim sessions by distance intensity and goal. The gold-medal information also details proper stroke technique advantages of various gear concepts such as interval sets and training phases and makin more here.....
Coaching Swimming Successfully Second Edition by Dick Hannula Paperback 2003 NEW 192 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Coaching Swimming Successfully Over the course of a distinguished coaching career Dick Hannula led his high school teams to 24 consecutive state championships was a two-time president of the American Swim Coaches Association and is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Hannula shares more than 50 years of coaching experience and knowledge in Coaching Swimming Successfully. With input from successful U.S. and international coaches Hannula presents the latest stroke improvements for greater efficiency and speed as well as new instruction on underwater dolphin kicking techniques. Full practice plans help coaches accomplish more in each training session. Veteran and beginning coaches will learn how to motivate swimmers become better communicators and be prepared for the challenges of competitive meets. Hannula reveals his personal coaching philosophy and helps coaches develop their own code of ethics as the more information.....
Scuba Diving Fourth Edition by Dennis Graver Paperback 2010 NEW 248 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Scuba Diving Scuba Diving provides a clear thorough and captivating learning experience for all who want to take the plunge. Packed with beautiful full-color photographs and detailed diving instruction this updated edition is the preferred guide for recreational divers diving instructors and students around the globe. Renowned diving instructor Dennis Graver sheds light on the undersea world and how to experience it safely with essential details on skills techniques and planning. In Scuba Diving you’ll learn how to select outfit and care for diving equipment; equalize pressure in the ears sinuses and mask; use dive tables and diving profiles; fo more here.....
Springboard and Platform Diving Second Edition by Ron O'Brien Paperback 2003 NEW 232 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Springboard and Platform Diving Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1988 Ron O’Brien coached two-time Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis and many others during his extensive reign as the U.S. Olympic team’s head diving coach. Now in the latest edition of Springboard Platform Diving the best-known diving coach in the United States shares new information and training plans never before published. Along with a wealth of technical instruction Springboard Platform Diving gives you the fundamentals of the sport. O’Brien shows you how more here.....
Fantastic Water Workouts Second Edition by MaryBeth Pappas Baun Paperback 2008 NEW 264 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Fantastic Water Workouts Have fun get fit and stay healthy with Fantastic Water Workouts. With more than 130 exercises that use the natural resistance of water you will improve your body’s composition and tone strengthen muscles increase aerobic and muscular endurance and improve flexibility coordination and agility—all with minimal stress on your body. In addition to the unique and creative individual exercises Fantastic Water Workoutsincludes 14 step-by-step programs that can be tailored to your personal needs interests and fitness goals. Whether you’re seeking general prog more details.....
Swimming - Steps to Success Third Edition by David Thomas Paperback 2005 NEW 200 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Swimming - Steps to Success Become more fluid in the water with Swimming: Steps to Success. This comprehensive guide provides progressive instruction to help you master several swimming strokes and skills: backstroke front crawl breaststroke butterfly sidestroke back crawl trudgen floating diving sculling and underwater swimming. Step-by-step instruction and 195 illustrations break down each stroke to the basic arm and leg movements and their timing. The multiple drills in each step include a scoring system to gauge success and determine readiness to advance to the next skill. About David Thomas David G. Thomas has been a swimming teacher and coach since 1948 when he became a water-safety field representative for the American Red Cross. In 1955 he became swimming coach and aquatics director at Berea High School in Berea Ohio. Eight years later he moved to t more here.....
Diving Science by Michael Strauss and Igor Aksenov Paperback 2004 NEW 408 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Diving Science Prepare for each underwater adventure and its challenges. Diving Science will help you anticipate recognize and respond to the physical physiological and psychological stresses encountered in sport diving. Written by two experts in diving physiology and medicine this comprehensive resource will help you manage each stage of a dive more safely and successfully. Whether you’re on the surface or bottom in the descent or ascent you’ll know exactly what to do and when to do it. With information on everything from on-gassing and off-gassing to first response interventions for medical problems Diving Science is as essential as a wetsuit for your next dive. Use the book’s diving-specific fitness specifications to learn how to make diving safe and enjoyable at any age. And apply the detailed equipment recommendations to prepare properly for each dive. Diving Science provides a wealth of information useful to all divers. Tap into this treasure chest b find out more.....
Open Water Swimming by Steven Munatones Paperback 2011 NEW 264 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Open Water Swimming Swim faster stronger and more efficiently. Whether you are a dedicated open-water swimmer or a triathlete looking to conquer the sport’s most challenging event Open Water Swimming is your complete guide to improving your performance and decreasing your time. In Open Water Swimming renowned marathon swimmer coach and commentator Steven Munatones shares his insights and expertise on preparing training and competing in open-water events. From triathlon to marathon and all distances in between you’ll learn these tactics: Refine your freestyle stroke to improve power speed effectiveness and navigational IQ. Pace yourself and conserve energy for faster finishes. Train for every event with conditioning p more information.....
Swimming Fastest by Ernest Maglischo Hardcover 2003 NEW 800 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Swimming Fastest Let one of the world’s greatest swimming coaches teach you how to perfect your competitive strokes! In Swimming Fastest—a revised and updated version of one of the best books ever written on competitive swimming—author Ernest Maglischo reveals the science behind the training principles that led his teams to 13 NCAA national championships at the Division II level and 19 conference championships. This book is the definitive reference on stroke technique and training methods for swimming. It shows you how to apply scientific information to the training process so that you can swim stronger and faster. Swimming Fastest addresses not only the how but also the why of training. It’s the one source that you can turn to for reliable information about hydrodynamics and exercise physiology giving you all the information you need to evaluate present and future concepts of traini more here.....
Swimming Anatomy by Ian McLeod Paperback 2010 NEW 200 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Swimming Anatomy See how to achieve stronger starts more explosive turns and faster times! Swimming Anatomy will show you how to improve your performance by increasing muscle strength and optimizing the efficiency of every stroke. Swimming Anatomy includes 74 of the most effective swimming exercises each with step-by-step descriptions and full-color anatomical illustrations highlighting the primary muscles in action. Swimming Anatomy goes beyond exercises by placing you on the starting block in the water and into the throes of competition. Illustrations of the active muscles for starts turns and the four competitive strokes (freestyle breaststroke butterfly and backstroke) show you how each exercise is fundamentally linked to swimming performance. You’ll also learn how exercises can be modified to target specific areas improve your form in the water and minimize com more information.....
Developing Swimmers by Michael Brooks Paperback 2011 NEW 240 pages Get other Swimming and Aquatics books here About Developing Swimmers Talent skill and a passion to compete: These are the characteristics that define elite-level swimmers. But as the sport’s best coaches know even the most gifted of athletes won’t develop these traits without a plan—one that recognizes talent develops skills and nurtures success. Developing Swimmers is the only book to offer a comprehensive long-term plan beginning at an age-group level. Renowned coach Michael Brooks shares the insights secrets and strategies that have transformed his athletes and swim teams from novice competitors to distinguished champi extra info.....
As key survival skill
The human being is a land animal, and the human who can't get out of the water dies from it with absolute certainty (see Risks). Swimming is a key survival or rescue skill in almost all incidents involving people involuntarily entering water while alighting a disabled vessel or aircraft or falling accidentally in it from land, especially while in motor vehicles.
As occupation
Some occupations require the workers to swim. For example, abalone- or pearl-divers swim and dive to obtain an economic benefit, as do spear fishermen.
Swimming is used to rescue other swimmers in distress. In the USA, most cities and states have trained lifeguards, such as the Los Angeles City Lifeguards, deployed at pools and beaches. There are a number of specialized swimming styles especially for rescue purposes (see List of swimming styles). Such techniques are studied by lifeguards or members of the Coast Guard.
Swimming is also used in marine biology to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences use swimming, for example Konrad Lorenz swam with geese as part of his studies of animal behavior.
Swimming also has military purposes. Military swimming is usually done by special forces, such as Navy SEALs. Swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, sabotage or combat, and to depart a location. This may also include airborne insertion into water or exiting a submarine while it is submerged. Due to regular exposure to large bodies of water, all recruits in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are required to complete basic swimming or water survival training.
Swimming is also a professional sport. Companies sponsor swimmers who are at the international level. Cash awards are also given at many of the major competitions for breaking records.
Professional swimmers may also earn a living as entertainers, performing in water ballets.
As a form of travel
Essential travel by swimming over brief distances is frequent when alternatives are precluded. Innumerable migrants swam across rivers and seas, famously across the Rio Grande, and the Bug[citation needed]. There are known cases of political refugees swimming in the Baltic Sea, and of people jumping in the water and swimming ashore from vessels not intended to reach land where they planned to go. Swimming travel is central to the plot of the motion picture "Welcome". In the 1980s thousands of retreating Iraqi soldiers swam across the lower Shatt al-Arab. US president John F. Kennedy led his sailors swimming island to island after his torpedo boat was sunk in World War 2. His senator brother Ted Kennedy claimed to have left Chappaquiddick island by swimming.
As recreation and exercise
The most common purposes for swimming are recreation, exercise, and athletic training. Recreational swimming is a good way to relax, while enjoying a full-body workout.
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise. Because the density of the human body is very similar to that of water, the water supports the body and less stress is therefore placed on joints and bones. Swimming is frequently used as an exercise in rehabilitation after injuries or for those with disabilities.
Resistance swimming is one form of swimming exercise. It is done either for training purposes, to hold the swimmer in place for stroke analysis, or to enable swimming in a confined space for athletic or therapeutic reasons. Resistance swimming can be done either against a stream of moving water in a swimming machine or by holding the swimmer stationary with elastic attachments.
Swimming is primarily an aerobic exercise due to the long exercise time, requiring a constant oxygen supply to the muscles, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. As with most aerobic exercise, swimming is believed to reduce the harmful effects of stress. Swimming can improve posture and develop a strong lean physique, often called a "swimmer's build."
As a competitive sport
The aquatic sport of swimming involves competition amongst participants to be the fastest over a given distance under self propulsion. The diffd '1500' free, and the '100', '200', and '400' Individual Medley,also known as the 'IM', which consists of all strokes in equal proportierent events include 50, 100, and 200 yards/meters in breaststroke,freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, the '50', '100', '200', '400', '800' anon, starting with butterfly then backstroke, breaststroke, and then freestyle. There are also medley relays, which combine strokes swum by four relay partners leading off with Backstroke, then Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle. In this, swimmers only swim one stroke, such as 100 yards (American) or meters of butterfly, while other swimmers take the other strokes. Medley relays are swum up to 400 meters, freestyle relays up to 800 meters, with each participant swimming an equal "leg" from the racing blocks. Regulation swimming pools are either 25 or 50 meters or yards across. Racing or training from one side to the other is known as a lap (one way), so a coach may say four laps in place of 100 yards/ or 200 meters. Typical public pools, school pools, and regulation private pools tend to be 25 meters/yards long and Olympic competition is always in fifty meter pools.
Swimming has been part of the modern Olympic Games since inception in 1896. Along with the other aquatic disciplines of diving, synchronised swimming and water polo, the sport is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), and each country has its own National Governing Body(NGB) such as United States Swimming.
Styles
A style is also known as a stroke. "Stroke" can also refer to a single completion of the sequence of body movements repeated while swimming in the given style.
Several swimming styles are suitable for recreational swimming; many recreational swimmers prefer a style that keeps their head out of the water and has an underwater arm recovery. Breaststroke, side stroke, head up front crawl and dog paddle are the most common strokes utilized in recreational swimming. The out-of-water arm recovery of freestyle or butterfly gives rise to better exploitation of the difference in resistance between air and water and thus leads to higher speed.
It is possible to swim by moving only legs without arms or only arms without legs. Such strokes may be used for special purposes, for training or exercise, or by amputees and paralytics.
Competition
Competitive swimming became popular in the nineteenth century. The goal of competitive swimming is to constantly improve upon one's time(s) in any given event. To be the best in a particular event means having the fastest time compared to other people in that event, though some professional swimmers who do not have a number one national or world ranking are known to be the best with regard to their technical skills in the water. Typically, an athlete goes through a cycle of training in which the body is overloaded with work in the beginning and middle segments of the cycle, and then the workload is decreased in the final stage as the swimmer approaches the competition in which he or she is to compete in. This final stage is often referred to as "shave and taper"; the swimmer has tapered down his or her work load to the point where he or she is able to perform at their optimal level, and then the swimmer shaves off all exposed hair and dead skin cells for the sake of reducing drag and having a sleeker and more hydrodynamic feel in the water.
Swimming is an event at the Summer Olympic Games, where male and female athletes compete in 16 of the recognized events each. Olympic events are held in a 50 meter pool (long course). There are 40 officially recognized individual swimming events in the pool, however the International Olympic Committee only recognizes 32 of them. The international governing body for competitive swimming is the Fédération Internationale de Natation ("International Swimming Federation") better known as FINA.
Open-water
In open-water swimming, where the events are swam in a body of open water (lake or sea), there are also 5 km, 10 km and 25 km events for men and women. However only the 10 km event is included in the Olympic schedule, again for both men and women. Open-water competitions are typically separate to other swimming competitions with the exception of the World Championships and the Olympics.
Swim styles
In competitive swimming four major styles have been established. These have been relatively stable over the last 30–40 years with minor improvements:
- Freestyle swimming
- Breaststroke
- Backstroke
- Butterfly stroke
The Dolphin Kick
In the past two decades the main addition to swimming has been the underwater dolphin kick. This is used to maximise the speed at the start and after the turns. The first successful use of it was by Henry Van Slooten at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta where he completed almost half of the 100 m butterfly underwater to take the gold medal. In the past few years it has been the Americans who have shown the most use of the underwater motion to gain advantage, mainly Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, both multiple Olympic and World medal winners in a range of events.
While the dolphin kick is mostly seen in middle distance freestyle events and in all distances of backstroke and butterfly it is not usually seen with the same effect in freestyle sprinting. That changed with the addition of the so called Sharkskin suits until the European Short Course Championships in Rijeka, Croatia in December 2008. There Amaury Leveaux set new world records of 44.94 seconds in the 100 m freestyle, 20.48 seconds in the 50 m freestyle and 22.18 in the 50 m butterfly. Unlike the rest of the competitors in these events he spent at least half of each race underwater using the dolphin kick.
New strokes
Over the past few years two strokes have emerged as possible alterations or additions to the current strokes. The first of which is Bree which is a combination between the front crawl (freestyle) and breaststroke. In Bree swimmers move their arms as they would in the front crawl, but on every other stroke they include a single breaststroke kick. This technique is especially beneficial to swimmers who excel at breast stroke kick. It is a very energy efficient stroke that allows for constant movement while kicking breaststroke. Swimmers treat walls and dives like they would in a breaststroke race. The second stroke is the Clayton's Crawl. Developed at a local swimming pool in Nashville, TN the Clayton's Crawl uses the front crawl (freestyle) arm motion and a dolphin kick. This stroke combines the Butterfly kick and the front crawl. Swimmers treat their turns and finish as if they were swimming Freestyle. The Clayton's Crawl was developed and perfected by Clayton Webb and Patrick Wehby at their local swimming pool, the JCC.
These events are unlikely to ever feature as competition events although many swimmers include them during their warm ups or as drills during training.
Competition pools
Most swimming sport events are held in special competition swimming pools, which are either long course pools such as those used in the Olympic Games (50 m) or short course pools such as those used in the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) (25 yards or 25 m). Competition pools have starting blocks from which the competitor can dive in, and possibly also touch-sensitive pads to electronically record the swimming time of each competitor.
Lessons
Children are often given swimming lessons, which serve to develop swimming technique and confidence. Children generally do not swim independently until 4 years of age.
In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia and Finland, the curriculum for the fifth grade (fourth grade in Estonia) states that all children should learn how to swim as well as how to handle emergencies near water. Most commonly, children are expected to be able to swim 200 metres (660 ft) – of which at least 50 metres (160 ft) on their back – after first falling into deep water and getting their head under water. Even though about 95 percent of Swedish school children know how to swim, drowning remains the third most common cause of death among children.
In both the Netherlands and Belgium swimming lessons under school time (schoolzwemmen, school swimming) are supported by the government. Most schools provide swimming lessons. There is a long tradition of swimming lessons in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Dutch translation for the breaststroke swimming style is even schoolslag (schoolstroke). The children learn a variant of the breaststroke, which is technically not entirely correct. In France, swimming is a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary schools. Children usually spend one semester per year learning swimming during CE1/CE2/CM1 (2nd, 3d and 4th grade).
In many places, swimming lessons are provided by local swimming pools, both those run by the local authority and by private leisure companies. Many schools also include swimming lessons into their Physical Education curricula, provided either in the schools' own pool, or in the nearest public pool.
In the UK, the "Top-ups scheme" calls for school children who cannot swim by the age of 11 to receive intensive daily lessons. These children who have not reached Great Britain's National Curriculum standard of swimming 25 metres by the time they leave primary school will be given a half-hour lesson every day for two weeks during term-time.
In Canada and Mexico there has been a call for swimming to be included in the public school curriculum.
Clothing and equipment
Swimsuits
Standard everyday clothing is usually impractical for swimming and may even be unsafe. Most cultures today expect swimsuits to be worn for public swimming.
Modern men's swimsuits are usually briefs or shorts, either skintight (jammers) or loose fitting (swim trunks or board shorts), covering only the upper legs or not at all. Usually, the upper body is left uncovered. In some cultures, custom and/or laws have required tops for public swimming.
Modern women's swimsuits are generally skintight, either two pieces covering only the breasts and pelvic region (see bikini), or a single piece covering these areas and the torso between them. Skirts are uncommon, and are usually short when included, but in some cultures they have been required even to the point of a full length skirt being necessary.
Competitive swimwear seeks to improve upon bare human skin in order to obtain a speed advantage. For extra speed a swimmer wears a body suit, which has rubber or plastic bumps that break up the water close to the body and provides a small amount of thrust—just barely enough to help a swimmer swim faster.
Wetsuits provide both thermal insulation and floatation. Many competitive swimmers, mainly men, lack buoyancy in the leg. A swimming wetsuit has very thin arm neoprene to aid flexibility and thick forelegs. This holds the swimmer in a flatter attitude in the water, and so their streamlining. This construction makes breaststroke rather inefficient (legs too rigid) but is perfect for frontcrawl/freestyle.
Accessories
- Ear plugs can prevent water from getting in the ears.
- Noseclips can prevent water from getting in the nose.
- Goggles protect the eyes from chlorinated water, and can improve underwater visibility.
- Swim caps keep the body streamlined.
- Swimming floats and swimming boards are used for training or exercise purposes.
