BASIC SWIMMING

Let’s Play
Direction: Observe the following images below. Try to find out which is the correct when near or inside the
pool are.

1 4

2 4

3 6
 LESSON 1:
THE HISTORY AND
DEVELOPMENT OF
SWIMMING
Objectives

at the end of the lesson the student must have:

a) understand the History of Swimming correctly
b) appreciated the importance of the history and
development of swimming
c) defined the important facts in swimming properly
THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SWIMMING

Human being are great imitators. Long before they learn

how to tread and swim through lakes, rivers, or streams, it was
the animals that actually introduced the art of treading or
swimming. With keen observation and curiosity and being
great imitators, human beings copied movement from animals.
Instinctively, just like the animals they had to forge (search
around and cross bodies of water for the sole reason to survive.
 So swimming evolved and came into the Ancient
then the middle ages. It came to the period of the
Greek and the Romans. Swimming became a necessity
during period. When The Famous Trojan War Erupted,
Armies had to correspondingly defend their territories.
When they were forced to flee from their own land,
they were also force to swim across waters. And also,
at later times. Perhaps during absence of wars,
swimming became a leisure activity.
 Entering the Olympics

Swimming joined the Olympics in 1896 as a men’s sport. They

competed in the categories of 100-meters and 1500-meters Freestyle.
There were held in open water. More Olympic events were soon added
during the history of swimming, including breaststroke, backstroke,
butterfly, and individual medley. The first few Olympic games that
featured swimming did not include women. It was not until 1912 that
women’s swimming made its debut. There are now 16 races held for
men and women, totaling 32 altogether, in each Summer Olympics
Games. The Special Olympics also has 22 swimming categories for men
and women, totaling 44 altogether.
 Synchronized Swimming as a sport and an art
form of rhythmical water activity that is performed
in a definite pattern and usually done to the
accompaniment of the music or narration.
Experienced swimmers swim in unison or planned
order. Basic or modified swimming strokes from
the basis of the design. These types of swimming
are creative, beautiful and entertaining.
 The Olympics

The highest stage of athletic competition. The Games

occur every four (4 years). The first Ancient Olympics was
in 776 B.C. in honour of Zeus. It came to a period of
banning because of “idolatry”. It was banned by the
Emperor Theodosius. It was revived and called the Modern
Olympics in 1896 (in Athens) through the efforts of Baron
Pierre de Coubertine.
 Swimming in the Olympics has four competitive strokes.

Movement Copied
Strokes Commonly Called Year Born “Fathers”
From

Front Crawl/
Free 1870 John Arthur Trugen Mammals
Freestyle

Back crawl/Back The Reverse of

Back 1912 Harry hebner
Stroke mammals

The English (People

Breast Stroke Breast 1800s Frogs
of England)

Henry Myers and Butterfly(arms)

Butterfly Stroke Fly 1930s
Erich Rademacher Dolphin (legs)
 LESSON 2:
Values and Rules of
Swimming
Objectives

at the end of the lesson the student must have

a) understand the values and rules of swimming correctly
b) appreciated the importance of values and rules of
swimming
c) practiced the values and rules of swimming properly
Values of Swimming
1. For Self-Preservation. You may be able to save not only your life but
also the lives of other people. The ability to swim could help the person survive
in case of emergencies in the water as well as allow him to extend assistance to
others.
2. For Physical Fitness. Swimming is considered as one of the healthful
forms of exercise because it uses all muscle groups and by acting against the
water resistance, one gains strength. And because of its repetitive cycle
cardiovascular endurance is also developed.
3. For Recreation. Swimming is worthwhile activity that one can engage in
during leisure hours.
4. Sports Activity. When one is endowed with ability in swimming, he can
pursue to the level of amateur athletics.
 Purposes of Swimming:
 
1. Survival. Skill in swimming is the most effective way to save your life in a
threatening situation involving water.
2. Search for Food. Swimming ability could be an additional instrument of a
person whose source of living is in the water.
3. Safety in Foreign Environment. The ability to swim can make us feel safe
in an area unfamiliar to us.
4. Improve Health. Swimming is considered as a very good form of exercise
because it uses almost all muscle groups.
5. Participation in other aquatic activities. Swimming skills are a
prerequisite in all aquatic activities. One enjoys more when one
feels safe in activities in the water.
6. Fun and Fellowship. Swimming is a worthwhile activity during leisure
hours. You enjoy being with other swimmers when you can swim with them.
 Rules for Safe Swimming

1. Learn to swim well from a competent instructor – A competent instructor

can teach the correct skills, knowledge, and techniques that will help deal
appropriately with emergencies.
2. Never swim alone, regardless of your skill or experience – That one time
you are alone is when you might get cramps, slip, be knocked unconscious, or meet
with some unexpected problem that you cannot solve alone or that keeps you
from seeking necessary assistance. Common sense dictates that you have a buddy
while swimming.
3. Do not overestimate your ability – No matter how strong a swimmer you are;
you also have a weakness. Never swim more that actually you can perform. And if
you attempt to do it, you must have precautionary measures for the worst situation.
4. Never depend on air-floatation devices – if you are unable to take care of yourself
under all unexpected circumstances in the water, never rely on an air-filled floatation
device especially in deep water.
 5. Avoid strenuous swimming after eating – The digestive system
works hard during digestion and if we do exercise such as swimming
there is a restriction of the blood flow to the viscera and to the
working muscles.
6. Observe regulations involving limitations in swimming areas –
observing regulations in areas especially not familiar to you could help
you get away from any danger.
7. Always look or jump before you dive into a pool – This is a
common courtesy in the pool. Check first the area if it is safe to dive
and nobody on the deck could be splashed as a result of the dive.
8. Only one diver on the board at one time – For safety purposes,
observe this rule to avoid diving that can cause severe injuries.
 9. No running on the pool deck – This should be an obvious warning. The pool
deck is slippery when wet.
10. Shower before entering the pool – the concern is more for cleanliness. The
major purpose is to remove waste materials from the body in order not to bring this
in the pool.
11. Never attempt a swimming rescue when you are not qualified to do so:
a. Reach – have something to reach the victim but take precautions. Be in safe
position to reach the victim.
b. Throw – Look for a floater or the like and throw it near the victim, and again
be sure you have a firm support in order that you cannot be pulled by the victim.
c. Row – When there is an available boat, go nearer the victim, this is faster and
safer for both victim and rescuer.
d. Go – When needed to rescue bring with you any floatation device or buoy and
keep it away from you in extending to the victim.
 END
HERE!