Swimming Styles – Overview and Characteristics

Swimming Styles – Overview and Characteristics

Swimming was initially treated as a skill and later evolved into a sport. Over time, specific methods of moving in the water, known as swimming styles, were developed. Discussions on these styles date back to at least the 17th century, when Edward Digby wrote that the purpose of swimming is for a person to float independently on the surface of the water.

He also provided a detailed description of backstroke:

"When swimming face-up, the right hand grasps the left leg and vice versa, with each shin alternately rising and falling."

In describing techniques resembling the modern breaststroke, terms such as "side swimming," "quadruple emergence," "water kneading," or "goat jump" were used. These examples serve as an introduction and a reminder, highlighting the contrast between past and present swimming techniques.

This raises the questions: What are the swimming styles? And which is the fastest swimming style?

Key Swimming Styles:

• Freestyle (Crawl)
• Butterfly (Dolphin)
• Breaststroke (Classic)
• Backstroke

All swimming styles combine to form the individual medley, whose main rule is to complete the same distance with each style in the correct order (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle). Underwater swimming is also a critical focus, which will be discussed further.

Freestyle (Crawl)

Freestyle is characterized by alternating arm strokes while swimming on the chest, with breathing to the side, and scissor-like leg movements. Variations include lifesaving crawl, where the swimmer keeps their head above the water, and open water crawl, which involves periodically lifting the head for orientation. Freestyle is the fastest swimming style, with world record holders completing 100 meters in a 25-meter pool in under 45 seconds (e.g., Amaury Leveaux).

Fun fact: Freestyle is permitted in freestyle events during competitions. This means that after the starting dive, you can swim in any style you prefer, not necessarily crawl. However, changing styles mid-race leads to disqualification according to competition rules.

How to Prepare for Swim Training?

Enhancing training and improving a swimmer's performance can also be achieved with carefully selected swimming accessories. These tools add variety and efficiency to training, making it more engaging and productive.

Swimming Style – Butterfly (Dolphin)

The butterfly, colloquially called "the horse" in swimming circles, is the most challenging swimming style to master due to its technical demands. The arms move simultaneously, and the breath is usually taken forward (though some swimmers breathe to the side). The legs also kick simultaneously. This style requires excellent coordination, significant strength, and flexibility. The dolphin is the second fastest swimming style globally, with the world record for 100 meters in a short course (25m pool) at under 48 seconds (Caeleb Dressel).

Swimming Style – Breaststroke (Classic Style)

Breaststroke is the most favored style among recreational swimmers, likely because it was the primary style taught in schools and colleges to earlier generations. It is characterized by symmetrical arm movements combined with a forward breath, with leg movements resembling a frog's kick. However, adults often make the mistake of swimming breaststroke recreationally with their heads raised above water, which leads to excessive tension in the spine muscles. In competitive breaststroke, each pull is followed by a glide phase, during which the head submerges, allowing the spine to relax. Breaststroke is not a fast swimming style; the world record for 100 meters is 55.41 seconds (Adam Peaty).

Swimming Style – Backstroke

Backstroke mirrors freestyle but is performed on the back. Modern backstroke speed depends heavily on long underwater dolphin kicks (though underwater swimming plays an increasingly important role in all swimming styles). Backstroke is often the first style taught to beginner swimmers and is the third fastest style overall. The 100-meter backstroke world record stands at 48.5 seconds (Kliment Kolesnikov).

As a fun fact, while freestyle and butterfly are the fastest swimming styles, videos of Ryan Lochte’s training (a multiple Olympic medalist) show incredibly fast underwater dolphin kicking over 50 meters in a long-course pool, with a time of 23.37 seconds. This demonstrates that underwater swimming can be a secret weapon for any swimmer. However, achieving a satisfactory level requires considerable effort and a willingness to embrace the challenge of swimming without taking breaths.