GLORI, GERALDINE A.

BSAIS - 2A

HISTORY OF SWIMMING

Swimming is an ancient activity that has taken place since both water and humans were on the
earth. Prehistoric drawings from the southwestern part of Egypt show original documentation of people
swimming. The images seem to show the dog paddle or breaststroke, but these may have been more
ritualistic than anything. Of course, anciently, swimming was done because it was necessary for survival.
Whether people needed to cross a river to safety on the other side or simply know how to tread water to
prevent drowning, swimming has certainly come a long way since its ancient days.
England is recognized as the first country to participate in swimming as a recreation and
competitive sport. In 1837, competitions were held in man-made pools in London. The National
Swimming Society in England organized the competitions which grew quickly in popularity. The very first
indoor pool in the history of swimming was constructed in 1862 in England. Soon, more pools were built
and another swimming organization was established in 1880. It was known as the Amateur Swimming
Association of Great Britain, an organization with more than 300 member clubs. The main swimming
styles utilized in competitions were the breaststroke and the recently-developed sidestroke.

EQUIPMENTS AND FACILITIES

Swimsuit
It’s obvious that you'll need a swimsuit to swim. However, the right swimsuit fits close to your body and
doesn't hinder movement. A suit that is too big may sag and make you uncomfortable, altering how you
move in the water. A suit that is too snug may restrict range of motion and make it difficult to get the
most out of your swimming session. Try on several swimsuits to find the right fit. Professional swimmers
wear competition suits that streamline their stroke and help with speed. If you are a recreational
swimmer, choose a suit that is comfortable while you are in the water.

Goggles
Goggles allow you to see underwater, important in crowded pools or for lap swimming when you need
to see turns, walls and barriers. Wearing goggles in the water also protects your eyes from chemicals
used to clean the pool. If you wear contact lenses, a pair of goggles helps prevent them from falling out
while you're swimming. Goggles are available in a variety of styles and colors. Choose a pair that sits
snugly on your face, which prevents water from seeping in.

Swimming Cap
Most people forgo a swimming cap in the pool, but if you spend a lot of time in the water, the right one
is beneficial. A swimming cap keeps long hair out of your face while you swim. It also corrals your hair,
helping streamline your silhouette as you swim. Most professional swimmers wear a swim cap for these
reasons. However, a cap also protects your hair from harsh chemicals in pool water. A swim cap also
helps hold your goggles in place, preventing them from shifting as you move underwater.
Fins, Paddles and Boards
Fins, paddles and boards are not required for competition, but may be beneficial during practice or for
recreational swimmers who are looking for a more challenging workout. Fins increase the resistance to
your legs while paddling, which enhances the muscular benefits. Boards aid with buoyancy, allowing you
to practice new techniques. Paddles work much like fins, but attach to your hands. These tools are often
used during professional practice sessions to enhance speed and performance.

SKILLS INVOLVE

Water Comfort
The most basic and essential swimming skill is simply becoming comfortable in the water. Although
humans are born with innate water skills, many people develop a fear of the water. When unintentional
submersion occurs, panicking gets in the way of logical thinking and increases the likelihood of drowning.
To become more comfortable in the water, spend time in a shallow pool or wading in the ocean. Never
enter the water alone, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.

Breath Control
Breathing is often difficult for novice swimmers. With water all around, having some water enter the
nose and mouth is a common occurrence. Some novice swimmers panic at the feeling of water in their
noses, while others have trouble holding their breath while submerged. Learning to control your
breathing is a key component in learning to swim.
Breath control begins with simple exercises such as drawing a breath, submerging, blowing bubbles and
then resurfacing for another breath. As your swimming skills improve, you will learn specific breathing
techniques for different strokes. Work with a swimming coach or a friend or relative who is a strong
swimmer.

Floating
Floating, or keeping your body in a horizontal position in the water, is a basic water skill. If you
accidentally fall in the water, you may be able to float until you are rescued, even if you are not strong
enough to swim to safety. Humans are naturally buoyant, and floating is not difficult. Like any other skill,
however, floating does require a bit of technique. Get lessons from a coach or a competent friend or
relative.

Kicking
Kicking provides propulsion through the water. Once you are comfortable with floating, kicking is the
logical next step. Kicking is also used in treading water, which is the process of remaining in one place
while keeping your head above the water line. Many coaches use kickboards, or flat flotation devices
made of foam or plastic, to support the swimmer’s body. A kickboard allows you to focus solely on your
kicking technique without worrying about staying afloat.

Strokes
Strokes are the arm movements used to pull the body through the water. The front crawl, sidestroke,
breast stroke, backstroke and butterfly are the five most common swimming strokes. Each stoke uses
different body positioning, breathing techniques and arm movements. Training with a qualified
swimming coach is the best way to learn the various strokes.

SWIMMING RULES AND REGULATIONS

There are four different strokes used in Olympic swimming: freestyle,

breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke.

- The programs for men and women are the same, except that the longest race for men
is the 1500m while the women’s longest race is the 800m.
- In addition to individual events for each of these strokes, individual medley events and
relays are contested.
- Medley events utilise all four strokes. In the 200m individual medley, competitors swim
50m of butterfly, followed by 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.
- The order is the same for the 400m individual medley, with competitors swimming
100m of each stroke.
- In the 4x100m medley relay, the race begins with backstroke, then breaststroke,
butterfly and freestyle.
- In freestyle and backstroke, swimmers may touch the wall at the end of the pool with
any part of their bodies, so most perform tumbleturns, somersaulting in front of the wall
and pushing off it with their feet.
- However, in individual medley events, swimmers must touch the wall with their hands
at the end of the backstroke leg before switching to breaststroke.
- Breaststroke and butterfly swimmers have to touch the end of the pool with both hands
at the end of each lap, therefore the tumbleturn is not possible.
- For breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events, swimmers begin the
race by standing on blocks at the end of the pool.
- Swimmers are given a warning before a loud beep sounds to start the race.
- A false start results in disqualification at the Olympics.
- All timing is electronic — pressure pads in the blocks and the wall at the end of the
pool register when swimmers have begun and finished their races.
- In relays, a team is disqualified if a member of the team leaves the blocks more than
0.03 of a second before the team member in the water touches the wall.
- Olympic events take place in a 50m pool, meaning events longer than 50m require
laps to be swum.
- Water in the Olympic pool is regulated to be between 25ºC and 27ºC.

STROKES
Freestyle
- Any stroke is permitted in freestyle events, but all competitors choose the crawl stroke
in these events because it is the fastest stroke. Because of this, the crawl stroke has
become known as freestyle.
- When swimming freestyle, some part of the body must remain above the water at all
times.
- The exception is when swimmers start the race and make turns at the end of each lap.
- At these times swimmers are allowed to remain submerged for 15 meters.

Butterfly
- Butterfly was “invented” for the 1956 Games after some swimmers had begun to
exploit a loophole in the breaststroke rules by lifting their arms out of the water.
- Like breaststroke, butterfly is swum face down, but some swimmers now breathe to
the side, rather than by looking out in front of them.
- The kick is a vertical one, and both feet must be moved together.

- The arms must be swung forward together.

- At the end of each lap, both hands must touch the wall together.

Backstroke
- Backstrokers must swim on their backs with their faces towards the sky.
- They are allowed a degree of body rotation as they swim.
- Both the swimmer’s feet must be under the water at the start. After starting, the
swimmer can remain underwater for 15 metres.

Breaststroke
- This stroke requires swimmers to swim face down, moving their arms and legs at the
same time in a horizontal plane.
- After each turn, and at the start, swimmers are allowed to make one arm stroke and
leg kick while underwater.
- The swimmer’s head must break the surface during each complete stroke.
- Like the butterfly, the swimmer must touch the end of the pool with both hands at the
end of each lap.

REFERENCES

https://www.singaporeswimming.com/2011/07/the-history-of-swimming-from-ancient-times-to-
modern-olympic-games/

https://woman.thenest.com/equipment-used-swimming-1492.html

https://woman.thenest.com/five-basic-skills-swimming-3049.html