Swimming Styles

Let's now turn our topic from gym to swimming.

Swimming, either casual or competitive, is a fun cardiovascular exercise. It mainly requires you to be "moving forward (or backwards)" in water. Compared to other sports, this doesn't make you sweat!

There are four major swimming styles:

1. Freestyle
   
   
   • Arms: Palms should be cupped, with fingers sticking to each other. Arms move in an "alternating windmill motion", i.e. alternatingly, each palm pushes the water downwards, then moves in a "circular" motion, comes out of water, then "dives" back into the water (do not hit your entire palm onto the water).
   • Legs: Legs should be straightened and alternatingly kick each leg above and below of the water surface.
   • Breath: When moving one arm in the windmill motion, tilt your head towards the direction of that arm, then breathe in. When your arm comes back into the water, tilt your head back into the water and either breathe out slowly or hold your breath.
     
     
2. Breaststroke
   
   
   • Arms: Arms are straight and in front of the head initially. Push your hands outwards, then come towards the chest and finally straighten.
   • Legs: Resembles the movement of the frog's hind legs. Each time your arms are going back to the original straightened position, bring your knees towards your chest, then thrust both legs backwards together.
   • Breath:  During each arm stroke, bring your head out of the water surface, breathe in, then back into the water and either breathe out slowly or hold your breath.
     
     
3. Backstroke
   
   
   This is the similar to freestyle, the difference being the swimmer is facing the ceiling, with head out of the water surface.
   
   • Arms: Same as freestyle - move arms in an "alternating windmill motion".
   • Legs: Same as freestyle - alternatingly kick your straightened legs above and below the water surface.
   • Breath: Different from freestyle - since head is always out of the water surface, breathe when needed.
     
     
4. Butterfly Stroke
   
   
   
   • Arms: Hands are initially in front of the head. With hands cupped, push your palms outwards, pressing downwards and outwards. Then swing your arm in a "sweeping motion" above the water to return to original position.
   • Legs: Initially bend your knees slightly and keep them next to each other. Then straighten and thrust your legs downwards. Return to original position. For every arm stroke, there must be two kicks!
   • Breath: Bring head out of water during an arm stroke to breathe in, then bring it back into the water to either breathe out slowly or hold your breath.
     

Before trying the above swimming styles, remember to learn the kicking and breathing basics, probably with a float and/or flippers. Also, always warm up before swimming!
Enjoy!

TeamNotSoCool
Sinn-Shun