HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF SWIMMING

TOPIC OUTLINE

I. Swimming

II. “History” And “Origin” Definition

III. History Record of Swimming

IV. Swimming as an Ancient Activity

a) Egypt

b) Ancient Greece and Rome

c) Great Britain

V. Swimming as a Competitive Event

VI. Swimming in Dark Ages

VII. Notable Years in the History of Swimming

a) 1875 (Matthew Webb)

b) 1876 (Captain Boyton)

c) 1880 (Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain)

 PRE-ASSESSMENT

1. “History does not record when swimming first began.”

a) the statement is true

b) the statement is false

c) the statement is neither true nor false

d) none of the choices

2. Prehistoric drawings from the southwestern part of _________ show original documentation of

people swimming.

a) Ancient Greece

b) Rome

c) Egypt

d) Great Britain

3. Who swam across the English Channel between Dover and Calais in 21 hours and 45 minutes

in 1875?

a) Captain Boyton

b) Jack Sparrow

c) Alex Reeves

d) Matthew Webb

ANSWER KEY
1. a
2. c
3. d
 HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF SWIMMING

I. SWIMMING

Swimming in recreation and sports, is the propulsion of the body through water by

combined arm and leg motions and the natural flotation of the body. It is an ancient activity that

has taken place since both water and humans were on the earth. Moreover, it is a great

recreational activity for people of all ages.

II. “HISTORY” AND “ORIGIN” DEFINITION

Merriam Webster Dictionary defined history as a chronological record of significant

events often including an explanation of their cause. Accordingly, it is a branch of knowledge

that records and explains past events.

On the other hand, “origin” is defined as the point or place where something begins or is

created. It is the source or the cause of something. Furthermore, it means the point at which

something begins its course or existence.

III. HISTORY RECORD OF SWIMMING

History does not record when swimming first began. We do know that it is a very old skill

in for survival, preservation of life, economic necessity, comfort, as well as hygiene purposes.

IV. SWIMMING AS AN ANCIENT ACTIVITY

Swimming is an ancient activity that has taken place since both water and humans were

on the earth. This statement can be proven by events that happened in the following countries

or places:
1. EGYPT

Source: https://www.youngpioneertours.com/egypt-map-basics/

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.

“Cave of Swimmers”

Source: https://africanrockart.britishmuseum.org/country/egypt/cave-of-swimmers/
 The image above is the Cave of Swimmers which is a cave with ancient rock art

in the mountainous Gilf Kebir plateau of the Libyan Desert section of the Sahara. It is

located in the New Valley Governorate of southwest Egypt, near the border with Libya.

Rock art which depicts that the humans are swimming

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_Swimmers

The main painted panel on the cave wall, Two ‘negative’ hand prints from the left side of
showing the famous ‘swimming’ figures. the main panel, blown in different pigments.

Source: https://africanrockart.britishmuseum.org/country/egypt/cave-of-swimmers/
2. ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/comparisons-ancient-greece-and-ancient-rome-118635

During Ancient Greek and Rome swimming was practice by warriors they were

forced to swim as part of their military training. As swimming was a part of martial

training, consequently it was also part of elementary education for males along with the

alphabet. Perhaps better known for their pool construction were the Ancient Greeks and

Romans. They too used pools in religious ceremonies but also to show their wealth, to

socialize, and for physical and mental health.

 A mosaic in Rome that depicts a human swimming

Source: https://www.quora.com/Did-the-Romans-know-how-to-swim-Did-any-ancient-societies

Depiction of swimming Alexander the Great coming through Corinth

Source: https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/18/ancient-greeks-swimming-beach/

Ancient Greeks shown swimming The Tomb of the Diver

 Source: https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/18/ancient-greeks-swimming-beach/

3. GREAT BRITAIN

Source: https://geology.com/world/british-isles.shtml

During the time of Henry II of Great Britain. Young people learned to swim as

their physical activity and recreation until such time swimming became a sport

competition.
 “Henry II of Great Britain”

Source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_II_of_England/

V. SWIMMING AS A COMPETITIVE EVENT

Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/132363676524432274/
 As a competitive event, swimming has its earliest references in Japan where swimming
in schools was ordered by the Imperial Edict of Emperor Go Yogei (1586-1611 AD). Their first
tournaments were held only during the year of 1810.

Emperor Go Yogei

Source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-Y%C5%8Dzei
VI. SWIMMING IN DARK AGES PEOPLE

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_of_the_Late_Middle_Ages
 Dark Ages people were retrain and afraid/fear from swimming activity because of the

idea or general belief that outdoor bathing or water practices anywhere could catch a fatal

sickness that all diseases were spread by water.

VII. NOTABLE YEARS IN THE HISTORY OF SWIMMING

1) 1875 (MATTHEW WEBB)

Source: https://www.fsps.muni.cz/emuni/data/reader/book-23/07.html

In 1875, Matthew Webb swam across the English Channel between Dover and

Calais in 21 hours and 45 minutes. The distance was 34 km. He covered the whole

distance swimming breaststroke. At 27-year-old, the merchant navy captain becomes

the first known person to successfully swim the English Channel.

The English Channel

 Source: Source:
https://maritimesa.org/grade- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ISS0
12/english-channel-and-the-straits- 14E16718_English_Channel_Dover_Calais_
of-dover/ Outreau_Folkestone.jpg

The English Channel, also called The Channel, French La Manche, narrow arm

of the Atlantic Ocean separating the southern coast of England from the northern coast

of France and tapering eastward to its junction with the North Sea at the Strait of Dover.

2) 1876 (CAPTAIN BOYTON)

 Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Boyton#/media/File:Paul_Boyton_(photo).jpg

In 1876, Captain Paul Boyton, known as the Fearless Frogman was also

considered to be a great long-course swimmer. He swam from Linz to Budapest in a

specific way, lying on his back, with oars in his hands and a sail attached to his feet. He

covered the distance in 52 hours. These long-course swims have primarily increased the

popularity of swimming as a sport.

Source: http://www.19thcenturyphotos.com/Captain-Paul-Boyton-125033.htm

3) 1880 (AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN)

In 1880, more pools were built and another swimming organization was

established. 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.

POST-ASSESSMENT
(Question and Answer Portion)
1. In your perspective, how relevant is it to know the history and origin of swimming?

2. Describe the history and origin of swimming in one word. Explain.

REFERENCES

Augustyn, A. et al. (2021). Swimming. Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/sports/swimming-sport

Boca, D. (2021). Swimming. Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/s/photos/swim

Cartwright, M. (2019). Henry II of England. Retrieved from

https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_II_of_England/

Cave of Swimmers (2021). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_Swimmers

Chaline, E. (2018). How Europe Learnt to Swim. Retrieved from

https://www.historytoday.com/miscellanies/how-europe-learnt-swim

Englishman Swims The Channel (2010). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/this-

day-in-history/englishman-swims-the-channel

History (2021). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/history

History of the Swimming Pool (2021). Retrieved from
https://www.jetformpools.co.uk/history-of-the-swimming-pool/

Kokkinidis, T. (2021). Did ancient greeks enjoy swimming and going to the beach?
Retrieved from https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/18/ancient-greeks-
swimming-beach/

Men's Swimming 200m Butterfly Semi-Finals London (2012). Retrieved from

https://gfycat.com/glaringuncomfortablecrane-semi-finals-highlights-butterfly-
all-tags

Origin (2021). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origin

Paul Boyton (2021). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Boyton

Prehistoric Paintings in Gilf Kebir (2009). Retrieved from

https://youtu.be/HCUdOhG__d4

Singapore Swimming Academy (2021). The History of Swimming – From Ancient

Times to Modern Olympic Games. Retrieved from
https://singaporeswimming.com/the-history-of-swimming-from-ancient-times-
to-modern-olympic-games/

Swimmers (2021). Retrieved from https://www.wallpaperflare.com/search?

wallpaper=swimmers

Swimming (2021). Retrieved from https://www.fsps.muni.cz/emuni/data/reader/book-

23/07.html

The First Rubber Celebrity - Captain Paul Boyton (2018). Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/DLxaQk_Fad8

25th August 1875: Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim the
English Channel (2019). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/E4Kdh1TSmJE