¶ … Special Interest Hobby: Swimming

Swimming is the only activity that I enjoy doing so much. This is because it involves the whole of my body yet at the same time it relaxes my nerves (Gifford 17). It is a sport that has come a long way from its inception. There are no chronological recordings of discovery of when the sport. Therefore, it is one among the few sports that has been in existence for the longest time possible. Swimming in sports and recreational activities, is the forward motion of the body in water by a combination of legs and arms motions and the natural floating of the body on water. It is a tremendously enjoyable recreational activity.

The archaeological evidences and other sources show that swimming had been in practice since 2500 BC. The practice of swimming started in Egypt and later spread through Assyria, Greece and the Roman empires (Wiltse 8). In some sections such as Rome and Greece, swimming was a main part of training for martial arts and the elementary education sessions for the male children. However, in the After Domino (A.D) period, swimming is first traced to Japan as the origin of the sport. In Japan, it was compulsory for every school to teach swimming by the 17th century (Gifford 21). The first swimming competitions were established with the outside world in the early 19th century in Japan. Interesting fact is that the earliest heated swimming pool was built in the 1st century in Rome by Gaius Maecenas.

However, in Europe the practice of swimming did not develop fast because of fear that sharing water for swimming caused epidemics and spread infections. The earliest swimming evidences in Great Britain show that the sport was established in the late 17th century (Gifford 23). The primary swimming organization was formed in 1837. Swimming pools with diving boards have ever since then been built and various swimming competitions held.

Competitive swimming internationally was held in the London Olympics of 1896. The events included catered for men only, but later women were included. It has hence evolved to a full sport with many physically endowed swimming champions. Various people have made a name for themselves via the sport.

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Personally, am talented to know all basic strokes of swimming, and therefore, I enjoy doing all these styles. Besides the common four styles, that is freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke, there are also others. These additional strokes include the sidestroke, combat swimmer and the trudgen strokes.
The freestyle swim stroke is also called the front crawl. It is a common stroke and the most basic. Almost every Learner begins learning the front crawl as it is the simplest to learn and practice. It is preferred by most of the seasoned swimmers. In doing the freestyle stroke, the swimmer propels the body forward by using alternating arm motions continuously recovering from above the water and pushing the water beneath the body (Webster, and David 10). The swimmer uses the legs to execute a fluttering kick on in the water to propel the body across the water surface. The face of the person usually faces down. The freestyle stroke is the fastest and most efficient.

The second stroke is the breast stroke (Keegan 67). It is perhaps the most popular of all swimming strokes. In this style, the swimmer executes half-circular movements of the arms simultaneously beneath the water surface in front of the body. The recovery of the arms is also at the same time for both arms and occurs under the water surface. The legs of the individual on the other end perform a frog kick. It is also exceptionally easy to learn, and most beginners learn the style. It is also most advantageous in that it is easy to keep the head above the water surface hence breathing easily. However, experienced swimmers submerge the head so as to enhance efficiency. It is the slowest form of all strokes.

The third type is the backstroke. In this stroke, the swimmer swims on the back with the face up on the water surface. In executing the stroke, the individual kicks the legs in a flutter kick similar to freestyle. The simmer also uses reverse alternating circular movements of the arms with an above the water surface recovery. The backstroke is much faster than the breast stroke but slower than the butterfly stroke. It is useful for patients with back problems too.

Another stroke of swimming…