Swimming report

 Swimming by Ella

Introduction: Swimming is a sport that involves moving your body through water.  It can be done for fun, sport and even as a job! Swimming has been around since Egyptian times !  You can swim in pools, the sea, river or lakes. 

There are different types of swimming styles known as strokes. They are:

Front crawl: fastest and most efficient technique; also called freestyle, because swimmers use it in freestyle events

Backstroke: only stroke that is swum on the back with the swimmer looking up; uses the same flutterkick as crawl

Breaststroke: one of the easiest and most relaxing strokes for novices; competitive swimmers find it difficult because it uses more energy when swum at a fast pace.

Butterfly: powerful and fast; relies on good technique; uses the dolphin kick; the hardest and least popular stroke.

 

Swimming has become an Olympic sport since 1896! Freestyle and breaststroke were the first swimming styles featured at the Games. Backstroke was added in 1904. In the 1940s it was discovered that breast strokers could go faster by bringing both arms forward over their heads. It wasn't until 1912 that women were allowed to compete in swimming. Sometimes swimmers had to use the open water to compete and left to the cold and tide. 

 

Togs, wetsuits can be worn for swimming. They are made especially for the water using special material so they don't drag you down. Goggles and ear plugs can also be used to stop your eyes and ears being full of water. Flippers can help you swim easier if you are under water and oxygen tanks are needed to help you breathe. Diving gear and training is needed to safely swim underwater. 

Conclusion: I have enjoyed learning about swimming. There is a lot to learn about the types of swimming, the history and what is needed when swimming. There is a lot involved when swimming, especially being safe and learning how to swim at a young age is important so you won't drown.