The Joys of Learning to Swim

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Cover of "Learn to Swim (Dk Childcare)"

Cover of Learn to Swim (Dk Childcare)

Everyone who likes swimming knows just how fun and enjoyable that it can be. There are many ways to begin to learn how to swim. Many start learning how to swim at a very early age, at around three, four or five years of age or sometimes even younger. Some children are even born in the water and seem to grow up loving the water. Some learn to swim when they get a little older, early teens to late teens and finally some people don’t learn to swim until adulthood.

When learning to swim there are many ways you can get started. One of the most likely ways is for parents to teach their children and even their children’s friends how to swim. The ways parents teach their children to swim vary from person to person. The reason this is one of the best ways to learn is because children trust their parents explicitly and this leads to being less afraid of water.

Another very effective way for people, adults and children alike to learn how to swim is to engage in swimming lessons. You can sign up for swimming lessons at your local recreation center or sometimes your local high school.

One of the many benefits of signing up for swimming lessons is that you get taught how to swim from professional swimming instructors and sometimes from lifeguards who know what they are talking about. These instructors allow you to learn how to swim in a controlled environment and to learn at your own pace.

Whether you learn to swim at home from your parents or from a professional instructor swimming must be first and foremost fun and enjoyable. You will find it hard to enjoy swimming and learning the various techniques when you are not enjoying what you are doing. You will also learn faster when you are relaxed and having fun as opposed to afraid of the water.

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Brief History of Backstroke

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Swimming has always been a major interest of athletes all over the world. However, it should be interesting to note that there are a lot of facts and history surrounding the backstroke. Here are some interesting facts and historical elements about the backstroke.

Ancient History. The backstroke is actually pictured in ancient pictures. It is believed that this style of swimming can date back to the early years. In fact backstrokes are mentioned in the Bible.

Back Swimming. The backstroke is the only stroke that allows swimmers to swim on their backs and breath through their mouths properly.

Olympic Debut. The backstroke made its Olympic debut in 1900. It was actually one of the last styles of swimming strokes to enter the Olympic competition. Swimming competitions were around before that but there was no official backstroke in the mix.

Changes. There are very little changes that have happened to the backstroke. Some of the strokes have seen some improvements over the years but the backstroke has remained virtually unchanged over the years. The only slight change that happened over the years is that the arm will be slightly bent so that there is more momentum and freedom to move around. This was discovered in the early 2000s and has been used since then.

Starting in Pool. All swim strokes require that the swimmer to start out of the water. The backstroke is the only stroke that allows swimmers to start their swimming competition in the water instead of out of the water.

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Proper Way to Perform the Backstorke

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A common swim stroke is that of the backstroke. The backstroke is one of the only swimming strokes that can be performed on the back of the swimmer with them able to breath.

Here is a look at how to perform this swimming backstroke should you wish to learn it.

Step 1. The swimming backstroke is started with the swimmer on their backs. The head will be in a relaxed state and in line with the spine. You will be looking to the sky with the water at your ears.

Step 2. Your legs will need to be straight and with your toes pointed as much as they can go. Start to kick your legs up and downwards. You will alternate between one leg and the other. Try to make as little splash as possible as this will allow you to help keep the water level smooth.

Step 3. You will move one arm up and move the body in a 65 degree rotation with the arms and the hips under the water. You will still be floating and moving in the water.

Step 4. Move your arm above your head and put it at a 45 degree angle to the body. Move your arm towards your feet so that you can move it through the water.

Step 5. You will also move your body so that it is facing the bottom of the pool. This will cause your body to appear flat and will move across the water with a propelled motion.

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Swimmers: Vegetarian Is an Option

February 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Some believe that eating a vegetarian diet is not acceptable for the swimmer. The swimmer’s body needs to be lean, muscular and able to move freely and easily through the water. The fact is, swimmers do need protein. In the average western diet, protein comes from meat products, such as pork or beef. These are not the only sources of protein though. As a swimmer, it becomes very important for you to focus specifically on building protein levels in your diet, around your vegetarian desires.

You do not have to give up being a vegetarian to swim, even in competitive arenas. Rather, you can focus on eating a diet rich in other sources of protein. The following tips can help you to accomplish this.

  • Learn the types of vegetables and other foods available to you containing protein. If you are unsure of your options, do a bit of research in this area. Sweet potatoes, lentils, mushrooms and asparagus all contain high levels of protein.
  • Beans and legumes are a very good source of protein. These are packed with the nutrition your body needs to build lean muscle mass.
  • Eggs are another sources of protein. While some vegetarians prefer not to eat eggs, note that you can select better quality products. Try to use free range eggs, for example, since these have a higher level of Omega 3 fatty acids in them, which is important for joint health.
  • Do consider eating fish. Those vegetarians who eat fish find it easier to obtain the level of protein necessary to boost muscle mass.

Vegetarian cooking can be a bit more challenging than everyday cooking. Vegetarians need to pay closer attention to the actual amounts of nutrition in the food eaten. Protein-packed diets are critical for those who are physical active, like the swimmer. By paying closer attention to your protein intake level, though, you can build strong muscles and perform well in the water and throughout life.

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Performing the Overarm Stroke

February 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A commonly used swimming stroke that will allow the swimmer to get an advantage when they are swimming is a swimming stroke known as the overarm stroke. Many long distance swimmers will use this type of swimming stroke because it is known for allowing the swimmer to swim long distances without growing tired.

Here is a look at how to properly perform the overarm stroke.

Step 1. Lay sideways in the water. You will want to put one the lower arm in the water and place your ear on the water. Your top arm will be outside of the water and at your side.

Step 2. Your legs will need to be pulled into you so that your legs are almost at chest level. Your feet will be resting almost on your bottom but not touching it.

Step 3. Move your lower arm through the water. While you do this you will want to move your upper arm through and out of the water. This will almost feel as if you are reaching forwards and trying to crawl through the water.

Step 4. Your legs will be moving in a scissor like movement. One leg will go in the front while the other will go in the back. You will then use your leg muscles to pull them together and perform a scissor kick.

Step 5. Complete the stroke by moving the lower arm through the water and back to your side. You will do this as your top arm is pushed through the water and pulling yourself through it.

Step 6. Allow your body to propel itself through the water and glide on the top surface. Try to make your arms, legs and kicks so that they are all going at one time. This will be the easiest way to perform the stroke and will make it easier for you to perform this over long distances.

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How To Freestyle Stroke

February 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment
freestyle swimming

Image via Wikipedia

In swimming there is a style known as the freestyle stroke. The freestyle stroke is commonly referred to as a front crawl or a sidestroke. You may notice that this is used in swimming competitions. However, the stroke known as the front crawl is the one that most use as it moves the swimmer faster through the water.

If you are considering learning the freestyle stroke hers is how you can do the freestyle stroke.

Line Visualization. You will want to try to think of a line running down the center of your body. This is the best way to keep the body afloat. You will want to think of the line as lying horizontally and you just pivoting on it from side to side.

Straight Legs. Your legs will need to be straight. You do not want to be too rigid as this will only result in problems. While swimming you will need to kick your legs up and down the whole time as this will help move you forward.

Windmill. When it comes to arm movements you will need to think of a windmill. IT is important to practice as one arm is above your head the other will be behind it. When the arm is down it should be fairly close to your body.

Hands. Hands are in a flat shape with the thumb a little ways away from the index finger. You will slightly bend your elbows and push your arms through the water as if you were crawling at a certain pace.

The Motion. To move you from one side to the other you will move your arms around in circles in order to propel you through the water. As you swim you will also be moving your head from side to side so that you can get proper breath. Your head will move as you move your arms above your head.

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An Overview of Swimming as an Exercise

February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
long distance swim waves p 2

Image by summerrunner2009 via Flickr

Exercise is an important part of daily living. It is needed in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. People exercise in many different ways. Some people walk, some people life weights, some do aerobics and some people, especially those that love the water, will swim for exercise. Swimming as a form of exercise is a wonderful way to get and remain healthy and in good shape.

Swimming is a great form of aerobic exercise because your body is constantly in motion. Different types of swimming do different things for your body. What type of swimming you choose to do depends on what you are looking to get out of it.

If you decide to swim as a form of exercise you can choose to do long distance swimming, speed or sprint swimming which involves short distances or just plain old recreational swimming. All these choices lead to exercise and to good health and to feeling good. There are also different forms of swimming that involves all the different parts of your body from your back, shoulders, arms and legs. These allow you to get your whole body moving and work out every single part of your body from head to toe.

Swimming helps you to burn calories by constantly keeping you moving. It also helps get your heart going. Swimming does all these good things for your body but it is also easier on your body. Some forms of exercise tend to take a toll on your body, your joint in particular. Swimming avoids this toll on your body.

So for all these reasons swimming as a form of exercise is a simple way to lead to a healthy and happy life. So whether you want to swim in the pool or in the ocean at the beach you can get a good bit of daily exercise and have a lot of fun while doing it.

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Swimming Lessons for Kids

January 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Some people argue that children are ready to learn to swim independently from just a few months of age. If you choose to try this approach, you will need to take some very specific safety requirements. Most children, and most adults, are more comfortable starting swimming lessons in some sort of parent and child course beginning at about 6 months of age.

During these classes, the baby and parent are in the water together. These courses are really just designed to help the child adjust to the sensation of the water.

Most children are ready for formal lessons at around 3 or 4 years old. You will know if your child is ready when he or she can easily listen to and follow simple instructions. The child will also need to be comfortable around water, and not frightened. If your child is scared of the water, consider introducing him or her to the water over time before beginning formal lessons.

There are probably a variety of locations in your area where you can take your child for swimming lessons. Many outdoor public pools offer lessons, but only during the summer when the pool is open. Health clubs and universities with indoor pools are a good option for year-round lessons.

To find a good program, talk to other parents for recommendations. Once you think you’ve found a good class, see if you can watch a class before officially signing up. Pay special attention to the instructor. You want an instructor who has experience teaching kids and who is able to develop a rapport with them.

Many people sign their children up for lessons as a safety precaution. Children and water – swimming pools, lakes, rivers, etc – are a dangerous combination. But don’t let the fact that your child has completed swimming lessons be a safety crutch. Always be vigilant when your child is around water, no matter his or her swimming skill level.

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Best Beaches in the Continental U.S.

January 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

With a slow economy and high gas prices, many people cannot afford a big vacation. Instead of hopping on a plane or a cruise ship, people are looking for vacation options that are closer to home. If you are looking for a beach destination you can drive to, there are several in the continental U.S. to choose from.

Florida offers many great beaches. Bahia Honda State Park has many beautiful beaches that offer white sand and great swimming. Since it is a state park, many of the beaches also offer amenities such as picnic pavilions and shower houses.

Another great Florida beach is at Fort Desoto Park near Tampa Bay. In addition to the beach, visitors here can enjoy camping, fishing, boating, nature trails and more. Siesta Beach in Florida has been named the Best Sand Beach in America. The beautiful soft white sand is made almost entirely of quartz, and this beach is also well-known for gentle surf that is good for ocean swimming.

Ocracoke Island in North Carolina also makes the cut as a great American beach. Ocracoke is a barrier island and can only be reached by water or air. This beach not only offers long stretches of uninterrupted sand, it is full of history. The famous pirate Blackbeard is said to have spent time here. If you visit here, maybe you’ll even find some buried treasure!

Cumberland Island, Georgia, is the final beach on this list. This 17-mile long island offers more than just a beautiful beach. Visitors here can also see marsh, tidal creeks and mudflats. The wild nature of the island harbors abundant wildlife, dunes and even some historic buildings.

While all of these beaches are on the eastern or southern shores of the U.S., there are many good beaches on the west coast, too. You are sure to be able to find a good beach that is close to you.

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Michael Phelps Planning Last Trip to Olympics

January 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In 2008 Michael Phelps captured the hearts and imagination of America during the summer Olympics in Bejing. Phelps out-swam the competition to win eight gold medals that summer, which he added to his collection of six gold and two bronze earned in Athens. Phelps now holds the record for winning the most gold medals in any one Olympics. His overall medal total is only two behind Larissa Latynina, who holds the record for having the most Olympic medals at 18.
As a result of his success he captured endorsements and thousands of fans, and was named by “Sports Illustrated” as the Sportsman of the Year. After the Olympics, Phelps also ran into a little trouble with the law, but now seems to be back on track and gearing up for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Due to his success, Phelps has been hounded by questions of performance enhancing drugs. But he always tests clean and is even involved with the US Anti-Doping Agency’s “Project Believe” program to ensure it. His amazing success is more attributable to his physique. He is tall and thin, with a disproportionately long arm span and long feet that act like flippers. He was created to be a swimmer.
Phelps was recently named to the United States team for the World Swimming Championships that will be held in July. There, he plans to compete in the 200 meter freestyle, up to three relays, four individual events and a couple of other events, too.
The World Swimming Championships will help ensure Phelps is in top form for the 2012 games. Phelps has said this will be his last Olympics, and that he plans to compete in some new events. If he is in top form, as he appears to be now, perhaps he will bring home another record-setting amount of medals to add to his trophy case.

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