NOTES IN AQUATICS
10km open water marathon was added to the
AQUATICS. Sport that involve bodies of water.
TYPES OF AQUATIC SPORTS
DIVING. The sport of jumping or falling into water from a
platform or a springboard, usually while performing acrobatics.
WATER POLO. Sport played in a pool with two teams of seven
opposing players who attempt to score points at the opposite
goal using a ball.
CANOE. Sport of travelling in a canoe or kayak in water ranging
from calm to turbulent in a river or man-made course.
SURFING. The sport or pastime of riding a wave toward the
shore while standing or lying on a surfboard.
SAILING. A sport that involves a variety of competitive sailing
formats that are sanctioned through various sailing federations
and yacht clubs.
SCUBA DIVING. Sport consisting of descending underwater
and swimming around; it can be done holding one’s breath or
with a scuba gear.
SWIMMING. The sport or activity of propelling oneself using the
limbs. Defined by using your arms and legs to move through
water.
HISTORY OF SWIMMING
1891. First synchronized swimming competition held in Berlin
1896. Debut of Modern Swimming Olympics. Swimming was
part of the first modern 1896 Summer Olympics games in
Athens.
1900. Summer Olympic Games held at Seine River, Paris.
Backstroke was included as an Olympic event.
1908. The World Swimming “Federation International de
Natation” (FINA) was formed.
1952. Butterfly emerges as a new stroke. Butterfly was first a
variant of breaststroke, until it was accepted as a different style.
1976. Swimmers were allowed to wear goggles.
2004. Michael Phelps and Mark Splitz won 7 Olympic gold
medals.
2008. Michael Phelps beat his record with an 8 Olympic gold
medals.
21st Century.
Summer games.
HISTORY OF SWIMMING IN THE PHILIPPINES
SPANISH ERA. Though ancient writings of the Filipinos were
lost during the colonization of Spain, some writings of Father
Chirino, a Spanish-priest historian in his book “Relacion de los
Islas Filipinos” showed that Filipino men, women and even
children swam like fishes. Andin also averred that Filipinos took
a bath in the rivers and lakes at ay time of the day for cleanliness
or for recreation purposes.
AMERICAN ERA. Swimming was introduced as a competitive
sport in the country by the American Military men with the help
of the YMCA leaders. In 1907, the first swimming pool in the
country was constructed at Fort McKinley YMCA. And, the
conduct of the 1st Dual Swimming Meer in 1910 between Manila
YMCA and Fort McKinley YMCA marked rhe formal conception
of swimming as a competitive sport in the Philippines. In 1911,
the Filipinos watched avidly from sidelines the 1st Swimming
Championship Meet held at the American Columbian Club
Swimming Pool. The competing teams then were the America
Team from Manila YMCA, and American Columbian Club and
the USS Saratoga. In 1912, the Filipinos participated in the 2nd
Swimming Championship Meet of the forty-two (42) individual
entries. Conrado Benitez emerged as the Most Outstanding
Filipino Swimmer. In 1913, the Philippine Team composed of
Conrado Benitez, J. Del Pan C. Aiville, and L. Cristobal won the
Championship Game against China and Japan in the Far
Eastern Games held in Manila. In 1924, Teofilo Yldefonso, a
Philippine Scout soldier of the U.S. Army won recognition as the
greatest Filipino swimmer for his feats in the National
Championship Meets, the Far East, and the Olympic Games.
JAPANESE ERA. During the Japanese occupation, swimming
competitions were suspended.
DO’s AND DON’Ts IN SWIMMING
DO’s
1. Obey posted safety rules and do not swim alone. It is
advisable to swim if a licensed lifeguard is present.
2. Wear proper swimming attire.
3.Walk carefully in the pool area and enter the water safely.
4. Stay out of water during thunderstorms and other extreme
weather condition. If lightning starts, get out of water and seek
shelter away from metal objects, large trees, and open areas.
5. Swim in a safe are where you are familiar with the depth of
the water.
6. Keep a portable phone with you at all times, so you can call
for help if necessary.
DON’Ts

1. Do not wear any jewelries or body accessories.

2. Do not swim if you have any wounds or if you are suffering
from fever, cough cold, inflammation of the eyes, nasal or ear
discharges, or any communicable disease.
3. Do not chew gum or eat while you swim, you might easily get
choked.
4. Do not trust anybody with his/her swimming ability.
5. Do not swim when you are tired or recovering from an illness.
6. Diving without instructor’s supervision, running, or horse play
of any kind are not allowed in the pool area.

2 BASIC WATER ENTRIES

WADE IN. Sit on the edge, hands on both side, palm flat on the
sitting floor, fingers facing backward. Slowly get into the pool
with one foot at a time till both feet touch the floor of the foot.
Advance forward. Move your arms and feet simultaneously.

SLIDE IN. Sit on the edge, hands on both side, palms flat on the
sitting floor, fingers facing backward. Turn left and place the right
hand parallel to left hand. Complete the body turn with the
weight of the body on the hands and the arms push upward to
get ready for the slide-in entry.

4 DIFFERENT STROKES USED IN SWIMMING

FREESTYLE. Is the fastest swimming stroke and is the most

popular stroke and the easiest for beginners to learn. It is a
simple flutter kick and windmill arm motion. The most difficult
part is coordinating the breathing since your face is in the water
most of the time.

BACKSTROKE. Similar to a freestyle in that you use an

alternate windmill arm stroke and flutter kick. Two keys to a
proper backstroke are that your arms move with equal strength,
otherwise you will swim off to one side, and that your body rolls
from one side to side so that your arms catch enough water to
propel you forward.

BREASTSTROKE. Is the slowest swimming stroke. The

breaststroke involves exquisite timing, and in fact, you can be
disqualified from a competition if you miss even one stroke. This
is a difficult stroke and not one to choose if you’re just learning
how to swim. The basics are that your arms pull, you breathe,
you kick (arms alternate with the kick), and you glide.

BUTTERFLY. Is the second fastest swimming stroke. Like the

breaststroke, this is a difficult stroke and not recommended for
beginners because it requires perfect timing and a good deal of
strength. During the stroke, the legs move together in a dolphin
kick (imagine a mermaid), the arms move together to push the
water downward and backward, and the torso undulates like an
earthworm as the body moves forward through the water.

Prepared by: Jonathan B. Cerezo