Swimming suits for women are generally classified into two types - the one-piece (or tank suit) and the two-piece (or bikini). The two differ in their range of body coverage, with the latter known to have been fashioned in a way that it exposes as much of the body as possible.



Bikinis are the favorites of many women when sun bathing or swimming for recreation. As it is called a two-piece swimsuit, a regular bikini has two parts. The upper part (called bikini top) covers the breasts, while the lower part (called bikini bottom) covers the groin and buttocks.



Bikinis come in various styles. Some of the most popular ones are the microkini, string bikini, tankini, monokini, and sling bikini. The last two, although bikini variants, are technically not two-piece swimsuits.



Microkini:



This bikini style is popular for its extremely scanty design, with only enough fabric used to cover the genitals. The straps in some microkinis are for keeping the swimsuit in place and nothing more. The strapless variant, on the other hand, uses adhesive to keep it attached to the body. Wearers of microkinis are said to be literally only an inch or two away from total nudity.



String bikini:



This is perhaps the most popular of all the many bikini styles. It is skimpier and therefore more revealing when compared with the traditional two-piece swimsuit. The characteristic string design has given this swimsuit its name. The top is kept in place by the attached pieces of string, which are either tied or continuous. The bottom is made up of two pieces of fabric, each in the form of a triangle. These are linked to each other at the groin. A string, which wraps around the waist, connects the two pieces at the sides.



Tankini:



This swimsuit is a combination of the tank top (a one-piece swimsuit with shoulder straps) and the bottom of a regular bikini, hence its name. The top covers much of the body part that is otherwise exposed in a regular two-piece swimsuit. Some women prefer using the tankini for two reasons. The first is that it gives the same degree of modesty provided in a one-piece swimsuit; and the second is that there is no need to take off all of the garments, as one would do with a one-piece suit, when using the toilet.



Monokini:



By its name alone, it's easy to conclude that this is not a two-piece swimsuit. And it really isn't; it consists only of a bikini bottom, and its wearer goes swimming or sun bathing topless. A monokini is also sometimes called a unikini.



Sling bikini:



This may be likened to the lower half portion of a string bikini. However, its side straps, instead of wrapping around the waist, stretch upwards to shield the breasts. The straps then go over the shoulders, link behind the neck, and extend down the back to the buttocks. A picture of a woman wearing a sling bikini will show the entire sides of her torso exposed.



Several other bikini styles have evolved from the styles mentioned above. These include the minimini, teardrop, and thong.

The name should already be a clue as to what kind of swimming pool a vanishing edge swimming pool is. Simply defined, it is a swimming pool that produces a visual effect of water proceeding infinitely into the horizon. It's like an edgeless pool, hence it is also called by other names: disappearing edge, infinity edge, or negative edge swimming pool.



A vanishing edge swimming pool may also be likened to a reflection pool, which is often seen in a memorial. The Taj Mahal in India, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and the Palacio da Alvorada in Brazil are some of the most famous reflection pools in the world. This is perhaps the reason why exclusive estates and exotic resorts often include a vanishing edge pool, to make their place truly memorable to visitors.



Constructing or creating this kind of pool can be very expensive. On top of an extensive architectural design, sound structural engineering is a must in its construction. The reason for this is that the pool is almost always built in such precarious settings, as a beach front or a cliff. A large portion of the total cost of constructing this kind of pool goes to the foundation systems, as should be understandable because of the nature of the site.



The edgeless characteristic of this pool is based on that specific design, in which the pool's edge actually ends in a sort of a lowhead dam, below which a channel is constructed into which, in turn, water from the pool spills. From here, the water is redirected into the pool by its efficient water circulation systems, of which there are two.



The first system works in much the same way as that of a conventional swimming pool; that is, it filters and heats the water in the main pool. The other system operates by filtering the water in the trough (the channel constructed below the lowhead dam) and sending it back to the main pool. Once this second system comes to a halt, the water level in the main pool continues to spill into the trough, stopping just at the level of the trough's wall.



The trough, therefore, should be of an appropriate size. Here, the designer's skill is put to an extreme test. There are two rather grim scenarios that may happen in case the designer fails in this aspect:



1. If the trough is too small, the swimmers will displace more water than the trough can hold. Such error can result to serious hillside erosion or landslides.



2. If the trough is too big, the edge pump may draw down the level of the trough prior to the water's return to normal quantity for the pump's retention of its prime. An overflow instance similar to that in the first scenario may also take place in such a case.



Although the usual design of a vanishing edge swimming pool makes it appear that the water from it falls into a natural body of water (an ocean or a lake, for example), there are other variations that can create an equally impressive illusion. The scenery behind some edgeless pools, for example, is that of a forest.

Choosing what to give to a friend who's a swimming enthusiast on his/her special occasion should not be hard when one thinks about the wide variety of swimming accessories available in the market. But other than the usual swimsuit, swim cap, or such other swimming needs, one may also consider giving a book on swimming.



Here are 12 books recommended as gift ideas for your swimming friends:



1. "First To The Wall: 100 Years Of Olympic Swimming," by Kelly A. Gonsalves and Susan A. LaMondia - This book is a review of one hundred years of Olympic swimming. Photographs are by Tim Morse.



2. "Get Set! Swim," by Jeannine Atkins - This book is a story about a girl's perseverance in succeeding at competitive swimming. Valuable lessons can be learned by the whole family from this book. Illustrations are by Hector Viveros Lee.



3. "The Springboard in the Pond: An Intimate History of the Swimming Pool," by Thomas A.P. van Leeuwen - This book attempts to study the nature and architectural form of the swimming pool and all things that are related to it. It contains over 200 illustrations, 28 of which are in color.



4. "Open Water Swimming: A Complete Guide for Distance Swimmers and Triathletes," by Penny Lee Dean - Those who participate in triathlon or open water swimming competitions will find great use for this book. It includes training programs and lessons for open water swimming beginners. The book contains more than a hundred photos and illustrations.



5. "Superstars of Men's Swimming and Diving," by Paula Edelson and Howard Keiser - The history of competitive swimming and diving is taken up in this book. It describes the achievements of some of the well-known male divers and swimmers who successfully competed in these sports. The book has 64 pages.



6. "The Complete Book of Swimming," by Phillip Whitten - This book, with 400 pages, is a comprehensive guide to the sport of swimming.



7. "Mastering Swimming," by Jim Montgomery and Mo Chambers - A great book to help polish your stroke (whether backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, or freestyle). It also offers training lessons on open water swimming and triathlon.



8. "Complete Conditioning for Swimming," by Dave Salo and Scott Riewald - This book offers training programs on how to perform any of the swimming strokes more powerfully. It also provides exercises and drills for each of the strokes, plus some guides on split-second turns.



9. "Swimming Anatomy," by Ian McLeod - A great book for those who want to improve on their starts and turns. It includes 74 highly effective training exercises with step-by-step descriptions and full-color illustrations.



10. "The Swim Coaching Bible," by Dick Hannula and Nort Thornton - This is a very good swim coaching resource that imparts knowledge on the proper techniques for every stroke as well as effective training programs for any swim event. The book also offers principles on swim coaching.



11. "The Fit Swimmer: 120 Workouts & Training Tips," by Marianne Brems - This book provides useful lessons on how one can become a faster swimmer with programs designed for this purpose. It challenges a swimmer to work harder at practice and provides him/her the opportunity for change from routine.



12. "Extraordinary Swimming For Every Body," by Terry Laughlin - This is an instructional book on Total Immersion, the method of swimming instruction which the author himself developed. It provides techniques on how one can move more efficiently and naturally in the water.



You may need to consider the specific swimming interests of your friend when choosing any of these books to give him/her.

The heat of summer should not keep children from having fun outside. As a matter of fact, this is the time of the year when children should be enjoying the cool waters of a lake or a swimming pool.



And to make their afternoon swimming more enjoyable, children can play some of the popular swimming pool games. Three are suggested here: Cherry Drop, Fish out of Water, and Marco Polo. How each of these games is played is described below:



Cherry Drop:



This game, which is sometimes called "Chicken Fight" or "Shoulder Wars," can also be played in lakes. Teams each composed of two members battle it out in the water. A team will have one member sitting on the shoulders of the other member. The player on top is called the "assailer", while the one below is called the "vehicle".



The game begins with the teams charging at one another with the objective of knocking the opponents down by breaking their tandem set up. The rule allows only the top players to use their hands, arms, or even feet in trying to achieve this objective. The bottom players, on the other hand, can use only their momentum to attack by charging at each other.



The team that gets separated or is knocked down is eliminated from the game. The game continues until only one team remains standing, which, of course, is declared the winner.



Due to safety concerns, however, many swimming pool operators prohibit children from playing this game.



Fish out of Water:



This game produces no winners as it is played purely for fun. It starts with one player being selected as the "searcher". This player can open his eyes while swimming under the water but not when surfacing. When the searcher sees (while under the water) or feels/thinks (while on the surface) that another player is out of the water, he/she shouts "fish out of water." The player called out becomes the next searcher.



This game is actually similar to one of the variations of the next game described below.



Marco Polo:



Other names for this game are "Mermaid on the Rocks" and "Alligator". It is a form of tag played safest in a swimming pool.



To begin this game, one player is chosen to be the "it". This player tries to tag the other players with his/her eyes closed, using their shouts of "Marco" and "Polo" as his/her clues to their locations. A player whom the "it" first tags becomes the next "it".



As variations to the tag, a player can be made the "it" by one of two ways. If "it" senses that someone is sitting on the side of the pool with legs on the water, "it" can declare "mermaid on the rocks." That player then becomes the next "it". Or if "it" feels one of the players has gotten out of the water, he/she can call out "alligator", and that player takes over as the new "it".



Playing any of these swimming pool games may require the presence of a lifeguard. Cherry Drop, in particular, can get intense and dangerous, especially with older children as participants.

The breaststroke, one of the swimming styles currently supervised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), is also one of the oldest swimming techniques. It is perhaps the most popular style in recreational swimming primarily because the swimmer is able to keep his head out of the water a great deal of the time.



The swimmer performs this swimming technique on his chest. His torso must not rotate as his arms make a series of sweeping movements - the outsweep, insweep, and recovery motion.



The breaststroke is further classified into three styles, one of which is known as the wave style (the other two being the flat style and the undulating style). This breaststroke style is increasingly becoming popular, especially among Olympic swimmers.



The wave-style breaststroke performer begins to swim in a streamlined position and with his shoulders drawn in or contracted. This is important to reduce resistance to motion in the water. The insweep movement of the arms is given emphasis here, during which the water is pushed backwards.



The insweep goes this way: The hands, which are pointed downwards, push the water; then the hands that were in a horizontal position during the countersweep (outsweep) align in a vertical position. Finally, the palms go back to the position of facing each other near the chest (which is actually the starting position in the outsweep). The pull is done in a circular motion, with the hands increasing speed to maximum.



Throughout all these, the elbows must remain at the surface and in front of the shoulders. This provides the leverage for the abdominal muscles and torso to give support while doing the stroke. Simultaneous with the insweep, the swimmer increases the speed of his hands, hollows out his back, and lifts himself out of the water to take a quick breath.



The simultaneous actions of increasing hand speed and hallowing the back are the keys to lifting the head (which should remain in its natural position - forward and looking down) out of the water. The swimmer uses the moment to breathe in. The contracted position of the shoulders is aided by the swimmer's pulling back of his feet to his buttocks to reduce resistance in the water. At this juncture, the swimmer is at his highest point.



The swimmer then draws in his shoulders and thrusts his arms forward, hurling himself back into the water (note that the swimmer focuses on going forward); as he submerges, he curves his back (as in an arch), and kicks. The kick, done at the precise moment, transfers its force through the curved back. The swimmer soon returns to the streamlined position, and the series of actions begins anew.



The kick used in any of the breaststroke styles is called the "whip kick", so named because the swimmer strokes his legs like whips. Actually, professional swimmers have made tremendous improvements on the breaststroke swimming technique. One example is that they emphasized on the use of the abdominal muscles and hips in powering the whip kick.



Becoming a proficient breaststroke swimmer requires persistence and hard work. After all, this swimming technique is regarded as one of the strokes that are difficult to master.

The 4 x 100 meters medley relay swimming event is a team competition, with each team composed of four swimmers. In a competition, the four team members swim consecutively, with each member swimming one of four strokes. The order goes this way: backstroke first, breaststroke next, butterfly third, and freestyle last.



Since backstroke is started from the water, it is necessary to begin the relay with this stroke. Making it otherwise will have the finishing previous swimmer and the starting backstroke swimmer blocking each other. From the initial backstroke leg, the three succeeding stages are arranged based on the speed, such that breaststroke (considered the slowest) comes next to backstroke, and freestyle (considered the fastest) the last leg.



The last member doing the freestyle actually can perform any style other than any of the first three strokes. Usually the forward crawl is performed in this final phase of the relay. In the Olympics, each team member has to complete two lengths of the swimming pool, since an Olympic size pool measures 50 meters in length.



This swimming event was introduced in the Olympics during the 1960 Summer Games held in Rome, Italy. The men's event was won by Team USA, composed of Frank McKinney, Paul Hait, Lance Larson, and Jeff Farrell. Since then, the 4 x 100 meters medley relay has been a part of every Olympic swimming competition.



Prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, both the World and Olympic records in this swimming event were held by Team USA. That team was composed of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Ian Crocker, and Jason Lezak. The team achieved the feat (with a combined time of 3 minutes and 30.68 seconds) in the 2004 Athens Olympics.



At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a new World and Olympic record was set, eclipsing the previous best by 1.34 seconds. The record did not change hands though, as it was again the relay team from the USA that established the feat. And except for Michael Phelps (who swam the butterfly leg), that team was composed of the same members that made up the previous Olympic team from the USA.



Here's how Team USA performed in the 4 x 100 meters medley relay in the 2008 Beijing Olympics:



1. Aaron Wells Peirsol swam the backstroke leg in 53.16 seconds.



2. Brendan Joseph Hansen swam the breaststroke leg in 59.27 seconds.



3. Michael Fred Phelps swam the butterfly leg in 50.15 seconds.



4. Jason Edward Lezak swam the freestyle leg in 46.76 seconds.



Individually, both Peirsol and Phelps are world record holders. Peirsol holds the records in both 100- and 200-meter backstroke. Phelps is even more impressive with his 29 individual swimming records (held as of August 2, 2009).



World records in this swimming event are recognized by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in both long-course and short-course pools. The former refers to pools 50 meters in length (as those used in the Olympics), while the latter measures 25 meters in length. Incidentally, Team USA held the world record in men's 4 x 100 meters medley relay long course the most number of times (26) as well as the world record in short course (5 times).

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercises. It is good for one's health primarily because it involves the coordinated movements of practically all the parts of the body. It enhances muscle and respiratory functions. And what better way is there to spend a hot summer day than to immerse oneself in the cool waters of a swimming pool?



But a dip in a swimming pool can have other health concerns, too. There is, for instance, the presence of germs that a swimmer has to worry about. Also, the kind and amount of chemicals used to keep the pool clean is something that shouldn't be taken too lightly.



To keep swimming pools clean and germ-free, most owners use chlorine. The chemical is known to bind with germs to kill them. Generally, a couple signs about the condition of the water will tell us the chemical is effective: it is clear and has almost no odor. Does it mean then that when a swimming pool emits strong chlorine odor, too much of the chemical has been used in it? Not necessarily.



In fact, a strong chlorine smell may even be an indication that there isn't enough of the chemical used. Often a swimming pool will give off a strong chlorine odor only after the disinfectant has been consumed by the germs. Therefore, a pool that emits strong disinfectant odor is likely lacking in the amount of that chemical.



Chlorine or such other disinfectants will function effectively provided the pH level of the pool has a neutral value of 7 (ideally, it should be 7.4 to 7.6). A higher value indicates strong alkalinity, while a lower value indicates strong acidity. Any of the following may be a sign that the pH balance is off: scales form on the walls of the pool; the water is greenish; or the water causes irritation to the skin or a stinging effect on the eyes.



It is important for pool owners to run the filter for about 10 hours or more, two times each day, in order that the contents of the pool are fully processed. For those with new pools, it may be necessary to test the water every day. The purpose of this is to make you familiar with all that your pool requires.



The following factors should guide you as to how often you should test your pool's water:



• The prevailing temperature (note that chlorine, for example, evaporates quickly in hot weather).



• Your pool's location (foreign materials, such as tree leaves, can upset the pH balance).



• Number of swimmers (more bodies can bring in more foreign substances).



This is the reason why, based on the last factor, all those who want to use the pool should be required to shower first. The efficiency of swimming pool chemicals is greatly lessened if body oils and dirt are introduced into the pool. Children should be required to use the bathroom before plunging into the pool and also at regular intervals.



Some pool owners are even stricter, requiring small children to wear watertight plastic pants. This is to lessen the risk of passing along infectious organisms from fecal matter.



It is likewise important to take a water sample to a pool store for analysis at least once a month.



A good alternative to chlorine is bromide, which is equally effective and is gentler. Others install an ozonator, a device that reduces the need for chemicals.

Exercise, recreation and athletic training are the three most common purposes for swimming. We agree that swimming is an excellent form of exercise; it is a good way to relax; and it provides the opportunity for a full-body workout.



Swimming may also be a requirement in certain occupations. Here are six examples:



Lifeguard:



This work is given to someone who is an expert swimmer. Lifeguards man beaches, water parks, and swimming pools, and their job calls for overseeing the safety of those who use such facilities or places. It is no wonder that a lifeguard needs to be a qualified strong swimmer. He or she should be trained and certified in water rescue and should have the expertise in using appropriate equipment and applying first aid.



Marine Biologist:



This job requires the observation of animals and plants in their natural habitat. Specifically, a marine biologist studies the different life forms of the ocean from a scientific point of view. He or she performs his/her job in various capacities, such as in analyzing the behaviors of fish species, studying the interactions of life forms in an ocean environment, or examining microscopic life forms in a part of an ocean. Because of the nature of his/her job, a marine biologist must not only be very good in swimming but must also be a qualified scuba diver.



Coast Guard:



A member of this organization takes part in its various sea services. While its specific responsibilities may differ from country to country, there are areas of similarities, which include search and rescue at sea, border control and maintenance of seamarks, enforcement of maritime law, and overseeing the safety of vessels. Obviously from this job description, a coast guard member has to be an adept swimmer.



Other Military Services:



Members of Special Forces, such as the Navy SEALS and Marine Corps, participate in missions and services that require lots of swimming. Examples are when they have to approach/depart a location, do intelligence gathering, or engage enemies, all of which have to be performed out in the sea. Since their job entails regular exposure to large bodies of water, Navy and Marine Corps personnel are required to complete trainings in basic swimming and water survival.



Pearl Diver:



Because of advances in technology, pearl diving has become virtually an obsolete occupation. There still are, however, pearl divers in some countries who risk the dangers of the deep in search of enough pearl oysters. In many cases, they descend to depths of more than a hundred feet on a single breath. There shouldn't be any doubt that this job requires being very good in both swimming and deep diving.



Water Ballet Performer:



Some entertainment companies offer aquatic shows, many of which include water ballet performances. Water ballet is actually the swimming competition we know as synchronized swimming, in which performers move in synchronized patterns to a musical accompaniment. Definitely water ballet performers are professional swimmers.



Being good in swimming, therefore, gives one the distinct advantage of possessing good health and of having a wide range of opportunities for many things that life offers.

Swimming is a sport that provides a complete balanced workout. Swimmers are known to benefit from its stimulating effect on cardiovascular health, flexibility, and muscle strength. Yet all sports entail risk of injury, and swimming is no exception. The most common injuries associated with swimming are neck pain and swimmer's ear.



There, however, are hazards swimmers face that are far more serious than the two low-risk injuries mentioned. Three examples are given here: hypothermia, the "bends", and the accidental striking of the head against something solid.



Hypothermia:



The condition associated with swimming is specifically referred to as aquatic hypothermia (to distinguish it from the more common land hypothermia, which often affects the elderly and newborn babies). It is characterized by an abnormally low body temperature (dropping below 35 degrees Celsius), which may occur during prolonged open water swimming (i.e., swimming in oceans, rivers, or lakes).



The first signs of this swimming peril are muscle stiffness, tiredness, and a confused mental state. Unless the condition is recognized and immediate action taken, unconsciousness will occur if the body temperature falls too low, followed by brain damage, cardiac arrest, and eventually death.



Swimming in waters with temperature below 10 degrees Celsius is even more perilous, inasmuch as severe hypothermia can occur in less than an hour.



The "Bends":



Other terms for this emergency are decompression sickness and caisson disease. It is a risk associated with underwater swimming and, more especially, deep diving.



Here's how this diving peril can occur: A diver plunges to depths of more than 30 feet (9 meters) and remains there for too long; he then ascends to the surface without allowing sufficient time for the gases dissolved in his body fluid to reach a new equilibrium. Consequently, bubbles of gas develop in his tissues.



Some of the signs that may appear soon after the diver emerges from the water are pain in the joints, paralysis of certain muscles, chest pain with cough and difficult breathing, disturbances of vision, and dizziness.



Handling of this emergency requires the use of pressure equipment (specifically, a special tank). The victim is placed in this equipment where the air pressure is increased to simulate the underwater pressure. The pressure is reduced over a period of a few hours, allowing the victim's body to make gradual adjustment.



Accidental banging of the head on something solid:



Perhaps the greatest hazard associated with swimming is that associated with diving (an essential part of swimming), which involves the possibility of striking one's head against a rock or the floor of the swimming pool. Injury to the neck is likely in such a case; the swimmer may even suffer a broken neck. In a more serious case, the victim's spinal cord may be severed, causing lifelong paralysis.



Rather than removing the victim from the water quickly, a good swimmer has to keep him afloat until help arrives to support him properly (here, the victim should be kept lying on his back in the water).



When help arrives, remove the victim from the water by placing a rigid stretcher or wooden plank (a surfboard will also do) under him and then gently lifting him. His body has to be kept motionless as he is placed in the ambulance. This is important to avoid further damage to his neck or spinal cord.



One of the best ways for avoiding these swimming and diving perils is to always wear appropriate protective equipment.

Swimming is generally regarded as the best form of physical exercise. There's no doubt that the person who regularly engages in swimming possesses a healthy body and a sound mind. But can swimming also serve as an auditory stimulus?



It's a question intended for fun, actually. The sound of the word "swimming" may really be pleasing to the ear, as there are quite a number of songs that has this word in their lyrics, often repeated many times throughout the song. Here are some examples:



1. "This World Of Water" (recorded as a single in 1980 by the English synthpop group New Musik) - The line "But you're swimming against the tide" appears four times in the song.



2. "Blue" (recorded in 1995 by the Canadian hard rock band Harem Scarem, as the second track of their album "Voice of Reason") - The line "Swimming with (in) chains in the river" appears twice in the song.



3. "Theme from the Bottom" (recorded in 1996 by the American rock band Phish, as the seventh track of their album "Billy Breathes") - The line "So I ask you why if I'm swimming by" appears three times in the song.



4. "The Background" (recorded in 1997 by the American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind, as the twelfth track of their eponymous debut album "Third Eye Blind") - The line that goes "Cause (Well) you come swimming into view" appears three times in the song.



5. "The Mask" (recorded in 1984 by the Welsh songwriter Roger Glover) - The line "But the swimming pool is empty now, no water there at all" is sung prominently in the middle of the song.



6. "Yellow Boat" (recorded by the Dutch rock group Nits) - The song includes the lines "She is swimming and I will give her water to drink" and "She is swimming and I will leave her".



7. "Love to Hate, Hate to Me" (recorded in 2002 by the post-hardcore band A Static Lullaby, as the first track of their album "Withered") - This song has the line "Swimming in the pools of my mind" repeated twice.



8. "Swimming (I Dive Into You)" (recorded by the Hungarian pop-rock singer Akos) - This song includes the following lines, each of which is repeated at least twice during the entire song:



• "Swimming in your pool"



• "Swimming in your water"



• "Babe, I'm swimming in your sea"



• "Swimming in your silence"



• "Swimming the sadness out of me"



• "Swimming the badness out of me"



9. "Swimming Ground" (recorded in 1985 by the American rock band Meat Puppets, as the sixth track of their album "Up on the Sun") - The song has the line "We could go and float around in our favorite swimming ground".



10. "Swimming In Your Ocean" (recorded in 1993 by the Canadian folk rock band Crash Test Dummies, as the fifth track of their album "God Shuffled His Feet") - The song climaxes with the line "When I'm swimming in your ocean...".



The list of songs with swimming in the lyrics can simply go on and on.

One of the five aquatic sports currently being supervised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) is synchronized swimming. This sport combines swimming with gymnastics and ballet. Accompanied by music, synchronized swimmers perform a sequence of complex moves.



Performers in a competition are judged based on three criteria: difficulty of every movement; satisfactory execution and synchronization of routine; and the ease projected by the swimmers while performing the elaborate moves.



Obviously, synchronized swimmers are no ordinary swimmers; they ought to possess grace, flexibility, artistry, perfect timing, endurance, and power all at once. Also, competitors need to have superior breath control, which is especially important while performing underwater upside down.



Overall, competitors need to have advanced water skills. Specifically in synchronized swimming, several sets of basic skills are used. Two of these are the various forms of sculls and the different types of lifts. The following notes describe how each of these basic skills is performed:



Sculls:



Ordinarily, sculls are oars used to propel a boat forward. Thus in synchronized swimming, sculls are hand movements used to propel the body. It is impossible to perform synchronized swimming sans the different sculls that include foot-first, head-first, barrel, split, thrust, paddle, and support.



The latter is used to support the body during an upside down routine. In this skill, the upper arms are held against the sides of the body, while the lower arms - which are moved back and forth - are angled 90 degrees to the body. This causes some pressure to work against the hands which, in turn, enables the swimmers to hold their legs above water while performing their routine.



Lifts:



These skills are used to propel teammates out of the water. The three different types of lift are platform, stack, and throw.



In the platform type of lift, one of the members of the team prepares in a back layout position; another member (the one to be lifted out of the water) then stands on top of the one lying down. The rest of the team lift the "platform" out of the water using a technique called "eggbeater". In this technique, swimmers momentarily propel their bodies out of the water with the use of their legs.



The stack lift is a sort of an improvement of the platform type. It is made up of the member to be lifted (called the "flyer"), the pushers or lifters, and the base (not lying down, but in a squatting position this time). This results in a higher lift because both the flyer and the base are able to extend their legs.



The throw is considered the most difficult among all the types of lift. Its setup is similar to that of the stack lift. On reaching the lift's peak, the flyer performs acrobatic movements.



Synchronized swimming is usually performed in duets or teams, but may also be performed individually. Depending on the rules and the technical requirements of a competition, a routine can last from 2 to 5 minutes. Large teams understandably need to perform longer to complete the elements of their routine.

Swimming is an exercise that is good for people of all ages and of most any physical condition. It can be performed with little risk of strain. In turn, there is a form of swimming exercise that is used as a form of training for athletes and also for use as a therapy. This is known as resistance swimming.



As a form or method of exercise for swimmers, resistance swimming is useful when training for any of the swimming styles or strokes. Its simplest form makes use of a restraining device that keeps the swimmer rather fixed in a particular position while swimming. Swimming machines are used to create an "artificial" flow of water against which the swimmers perform the exercise.



Thus, resistance swimming is synonymous to the use of any of the various types of swimming machines. The pressure-driven swimming machines are examples of these. Included here are the bare propulsion system and the swim spas (single- and dual-zone systems).



Pressure-driven swimming machines work on at least one pump. They artificially set the water in motion. A 3-horsepower (2.24-kilowatt) motor discharges water at the rate of 13 liters per second, or 206.05 US gallons per minute. Some models, which are attached to pools, work simply as a propulsion system. Here, an explosive force of motion is produced by means of a metal-water reaction, which is made possible by the action of a high alternating magnetic field on metal fuel slurry.



Other more convenient models are those that actually come in the form of a spa. These models often are fiberglass shells fitted with a number of pool pumps that set the water in motion. One example of a typical model consists of an exercise pool with swim jets at one end. In addition, it has at least one seat equipped with a massage jet at the other end.



Open water swimming and triathlon competitors prefer to use these pressure-driven swim spas in their training because the turbulence produced in these machines simulate that which they usually encounter in the sea during actual competition. This, the athletes say, improve their endurance and overall fitness.



Another model of the pressure-driven swim spa, called the dual-zone system (developed in the 1980s), consist of two pools. Water temperature in each of the pools can be set at different degrees. Also, the kind of chemical that may be used for each of the pools can be varied. In the therapeutic pool, for instance, bromine is used and water temperature is moderately hot, which is ideal for massage and/or relaxation. The athletic-training pool, on the other hand, uses chlorine, with water temperature suited for vigorous exercise.



The most basic kinds of swimming machines are those called countercurrent swimming machines. A machine of this type is made up of a tank, with length two times and width one and a half times those of an average individual (arms and legs extended). The swimmer swims sans restraint against the water's movement artificially created by a propeller, paddle wheel, or jet.

By far, the biggest risk associated with swimming pools is drowning. It is for this very reason why most pool owners enclose their pools with fences. As a matter of fact, some countries have pool fence laws primarily to protect children and pets from falling into the pool.



In Australia, for example, the law requires pool owners to install a 4-foot (1.2-meter) high fence around their pool and secure this with a self-latching gate. The best kind of pool fence is the chain-link type, which allows one to see through to the pool.



There are different types of pool fences, and they are determined by the kind of materials used on them. As examples, there are the wooden types, tubular steel types, glass types, and aluminum tube types. A pool fence may also be distinguished by other means, such as when we refer to the baby guard type or the removable mesh type.



The removable mesh swimming pool safety fence is actually the only type of fence that is exclusively used around the pool. The other types were originally meant for other uses until they were considered good alternatives to the removable mesh type. Pool owners should not be confused by these terms when they hear them: mesh fence, child fence, pool fencing, pool barrier, safety fence, or simply swimming pool fence; they all refer to the same removable mesh type of pool safety fence.



A typical removable fence has a series of sections, with lengths ranging from 6 to 15 feet (1.8 to 4.6 meters). A childproof latch links the sections at the top. Each section, in turn, is made up of several poles, which are arranged at intervals. The poles are set on aluminum (sometimes plastic) inserts that are core-drilled into the deck of the pool and a weblike material (mesh) that extends across the poles.



A firmly built pool fence is one that has been subjected to extreme tensioning during manufacture. On installation, it must be tightened to the appropriate degree.



The type of pool fence a pool owner chooses should depend on his budget and specific needs. Here, he can choose from among several colors available. Also, he can select the kind of material used for the support poles (usually they are made of fiberglass or aluminum).



Apart from pool fences, there are other measures pool owners can take to prevent accidents from occurring in or around the pool. Foremost, where a child is concerned, is never to leave him/her out of your sight or unattended, even in a baby pool. Toys, which lure children, should be kept away from the pool area, especially when no adult is there.



No one should ever be allowed to dive into the shallow end of the pool. Always make sure that the diving board is perfectly anchored. In relation to these, ensure that rescue devices are kept near the pool.



Another safety measure pool owners must observe relates to prevention of another kind of accident that can occur around the swimming pool - poisoning. Make sure that all chemicals used to keep the pool clean are locked up.

Athletes with physical and visual disabilities compete in the different fields of the Paralympic Games. Twenty sports events make up the program of the Summer Paralympic Games. One of these events is swimming and, hence, is called Paralympic swimming.



But Paralympic swimming is also played in sports competitions for the physically- and visually-impaired athletes in many countries. Its rules conform with those outlined by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), most of which are similar to those applied in competitions for able-bodied athletes.



Paralympic swimming participants are grouped into six categories: amputee, visually impaired, wheelchair, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and all other physical disabilities not falling strictly within any one of the first five mentioned. The participants are further classified according to their varying level of disability. This is necessary to ensure that every event will be among swimmers with the same level of function.



The three main groupings are as follows:



1. 1 to 10 - for the physically impaired, with S1 being the most severe and S10 the least.



2. 11 to 13 - for the visually impaired, S11 the most severe and S13 the least.



3. 14 - for those with learning difficulty (this group, however, is not currently included in the Paralympic Games).





The groupings are assigned with prefixes to further distinguish the classes:



• S - for the class earmarked for the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events.



• SB - for the class earmarked for the breaststroke event.



• SM - for the class earmarked for individual medley.



Here are a few examples of how competitors in Paralympic swimming are classified. The examples given are the most and least severe classes of each of the first two of the three groupings. Keep in mind, as stated previously, that the severity of the disability decreases as the classes go up in rank.



Group 1:



• Classes S1, SB1, and SM1 - These include swimmers with severe coordination problems in both legs, both hands, and trunk; they have very little use of their shoulders. Usually they are wheelchair bound and may rely on others for much of their needs.



• Classes S10, SB9 and SM10 - In these classes are swimmers considered to have the most physical ability. They include those with limitation of movement of the hip joint, those whose legs are minimally affected by weakness, those missing either of the hands, those with either of the legs amputated below the knee, or those with misshapen feet.



Group 2:



• Classes S11, SB11 and SM11 - Included in these classes are swimmers who are completely sightless. They are required to wear blackened goggles while competing. With the use of a pole, persons designated as "tappers" will tap the swimmers to let them know they are nearing the wall and thus must prepare for the turn.



• Classes S13, SB13 and SM13 - Swimmers in these classes are the most sighted, although they are still legally considered blind. Qualification for competing in these classes is as per visual category B3, as defined by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).



Group 3, which has classes S14, SB14 and SM14 under it, includes swimmers with recognized intellectual impairment. Again, this group has been excluded in the Paralympic Games.

Swimming, whether for recreation or in competition, requires the use of certain equipment, aids or accessories. The essential ones are, of course, swimsuits and goggles (the latter are particularly important in competitive swimming).



Some swimming accessories are used to aid the swimmer in some specific water exercises, to enhance the swimmer's performance in his/her chosen style, or simply for protection. Examples of optional swimming aids and accessories are fistgloves, hand paddles, kickboard, leg float, and swim cap.



Fistgloves:



These gloves, which are made of latex, are different from the ordinary gloves in that they do not have sheaths for the individual fingers. When worn, a fistglove gives the hand the shape of a fist. Swimmers who practice the forward crawl often use fistgloves to enhance their feeling for water. During practice while the gloves are on, the open palms are deprived of the feel of the water. Once the gloves are taken off, the hands get a better feel of the rush of water at each stroke.



Hand Paddles:



These are plastic devices worn on the hands during practice to enhance the swimmer's speed, muscle buildup, or arm strength. The latter can be helped further if the paddles are used in conjunction with another swimming aid or accessory - the leg float. Some of the most commonly used types of hand paddles are the sculling and vortex paddles (for building upper body strength), freestyle paddles (to enhance a swimmer's performance in freestyle), and finger paddles (to enhance a swimmer's performance in any swimming stroke).



Kickboard:



This is a flotation device used to develop or enhance the kicking action of a young swimmer or a beginner; for the more experienced swimmers, it can aid in refining the kicking technique. Kickboards can likewise help to strengthen a swimmer's legs. They may be used when practicing any of the swimming strokes.



Leg Float:



This is a piece of closed-cell foam made in the shape of the figure "8". It is an excellent training device for enhancing upper body strength and developing endurance. The float is placed between the legs in the crotch area. The purpose of this device is to let the swimmer focus on training only his/her arms, while providing support to the body without the need for kicking the legs.



This device is also sometimes called "pull buoy." However, the use of this term is often avoided when referring to the leg float, so as not to confuse (when only heard and not read) with "pool buoy," the floating plastic line used to mark a pool's separate lap lanes.



Swim Cap:



Also called "bathing cap," this accessory may be worn by both recreational and competitive swimmers. It is made of silicone or latex, and is generally used to keep the hair dry or protect the hair against the effects of the chlorine in the water. When used with ear plugs, a swim cap can also help keep water out of the ears. Swim caps are especially useful during long swimming sessions, when it is important to keep the swimmer's head warm.



Other swimming aids and accessories may be used depending on the needs of a swimmer. These include water wings (inflatable armbands), monofin, swim tube (inflatable lifebelt), and any of the swimming machines.

Swimming is such an interesting subject that not a few movie makers considered at one time or another creating films based on this topic. In fact, there already were a number of films shown that carried the theme of "swimming." Here are eight of them:



"Dangerous When Wet"



This is a 1953 musical that starred Esther Jane Williams, an American competitive swimmer who set a number of national and regional records during her teen years. The movie is most memorable for its featured animated swimming sequence, showing Williams with Tom and Jerry, the well-loved cat-and-mouse duo.



"The Swimmer"



The title alone leaves no doubt that this 1968 film touches on the theme of "swimming." It starred Burt Lancaster in the lead role (Ned Merrill). At one crucial point in his life, Ned vowed to "swim home," by swimming in every pool that he'll come across in his journey.



"Alex"



Classified as a sports drama, this 1993 film had Lauren Jackson in the lead role of Alex Archer. Alex dreams of competing in the Olympics (the Rome Olympics in particular), and seriously prepares for it. She's teeming with confidence when another swimmer of her caliber emerges and begins challenging her in every competition she enters in.



"Swimfan"



This 2002 American film starred Jesse Bradford as Ben Cronin, an aspiring Olympian swimmer training seriously to impress an athletic scout who is set to visit their place. His Olympic swimming dream is placed in jeopardy when the girl he had a one-night stand with threatens to wreck his life.



"On A Clear Day"



This is a 2005 British drama movie, which starred Peter Mullan in the role of Frank Redmond. Frank is an engineer in the shipyards on the River Clyde when he was let go of the company he's working for due to redundancy. Finding himself suddenly out of job, Frank, a naturally strong swimmer, gets a seemingly "out-of-this-world" idea with his friends to swim across the English Channel. His obsession for this new goal led to his rediscovering himself.



"Swimming Upstream"



This is a 2003 Australian film based on the life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton (Jesse Spencer played the role). Tony grew up in a troubled family, constantly overshadowed by his five siblings in their father's eyes. Swimming became his outlet and it is through his extraordinary talent in this sport that he felt he finally has that chance of making his father proud of him.



"Pride"



This 2007 film starred Terrence Howard as Jim Ellis, a real-life swimming coach. Despite being an excellent swimmer, Jim was often the subject of discrimination from swimmers of other teams because he was the only black swimmer on his college team. As a coach, he dedicated himself to "saving" the troubled teens of Philadelphia by starting a swim team for them.



"Victor"



This is a 2-hour movie that was telecast on CBC Television in 2008. It is about the life of Victor Davis (played by swimmer Mark Lutz), a Canadian Olympic and world champion swimmer. The film captures Victor's heroic legacy, from his winning 29 national titles to his triumphant swim for the Gold in the 200-meter breaststroke event of the 1984 Summer Olympics.



Other notable films about swimming include "Les Diaboliques," "The Guardian," "Alphaville," "Children of Glory," and "Water Lilies".

Watching the various water sports competitions, particularly swimming, have made us familiar with some of the swimsuits being worn by competitors. Of course, swimsuits are not confined for use only in such competitions; they are also donned by those who swim simply for recreation.



Swimsuits come in different styles. There are swimsuits fashioned for use exclusively by women as there are those made exclusively for men. Still other swimming outfit styles are unisex.



Some of the most popular swimming outfit styles for men include boardshorts, drag suits, jammers, racing briefs, square cut suits, and trunks. Below are brief descriptions of each.



Boardshorts:



These swimming outfits, which are loose-fitting, knee-length style of shorts, are named as such because they were originally worn by those who participate in surfing, a water sport that uses a board. The name continues to be justified as the outfits are preferred by competitors in the different aquatic boardsports events, such as bodyboarding, skimboarding, and wakeboarding. But their popularity has spread to enthusiasts of other water sports, primarily because of their practical style.



Drag suits:



These fall under the "competitive swimwear" category. They are worn by swimmers over their inner swimsuit during training, the purpose for which is to give extra resistance from the water. In competition, however, swimmers understandably do not use drag suits as these make swimming more difficult.



Jammers:



Swimming competitors use these outfits because of the speed advantages they get from them. They are made of elastic materials (examples, nylon and spandex) and are designed for minimal water resistance. Their usual length extends from the mid-waist to just above the knee.



Racing briefs:



These male swimsuits come in the same style as underwear briefs. They are form fitting with a solid back and a V-shape front, which usually has a white lining on the inside. Some racing briefs are made of Lycra, while others are of polyester material. An elasticized waistband and a thin strip at the upper thighs secure the outfit in place. Racing briefs are most often used in swimming and diving competitions.



Square cut suits:



Also called square leg suits, these outfits are often used in recreational swimming, diving, and water polo. Their design of a quadrate seam opening for the leg provides a "square" coverage for the upper thighs, hence the name. Made from spandex-nylon combination, these swimsuits are somewhat similar in appearance to racing briefs, except that they provide more coverage for the upper leg.



Trunks:



These are perhaps the most popular swimsuit style for men in North America. They are very similar to boxer shorts, extending from the waist to mid-upper leg. Most trunks are made of nylon and come in various designs. A mesh lining ensures quick drying.



Two other less popular swimming outfit styles for men are the fundoshi and the mankini. The fundoshi is a traditional Japanese undergarment for men that is sometimes used as a swimwear. In fact, some high school boys in Japan compete in open water swimming wearing fundoshi.



The mankini (a portmanteau of the words "man" and "bikini"), on the other hand, is a close-fitting, one-piece buttock-revealing swimsuit for men popularized in the movie "Borat".

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) is the organization tasked by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to oversee international aquatic sports competitions. There are 5 aquatic sports FINA supervises, which include open water swimming.



Simply defined, open water swimming is swimming in any of the different bodies of water, including rivers, bays, lakes, or oceans. Several events are held in different countries at various times of the year. Three of the most notable open water swimming events that draw competitors from around the world are the Round Christiansborg Open Water Swim, the Rottnest Channel Swim, and the Great Swim.



Round Christiansborg Open Water Swim:



This event, which is considered one of Europe's best open water swimming contests, is held in Slotsholmen, an island in Copenhagen, Denmark. It takes place in August during which temperatures of the waters at the 2,000-meter Frederiksholm Canal racecourse range from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.



Competitors have to complete five loops, for a total distance of 10,000 meters. The event holds two sets of competitions - one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The morning competition, dubbed the FINA 10-kilometer Marathon Swimming World Cup, offers a pot of 11,000 U.S. dollars. Amateur swimmers compete in the afternoon event.



Rottnest Channel Swim:



This event is known to be one of the world's biggest open water swimming events, in terms of the number of participants and the total distance the race covers. It is held annually (around February) in Western Australia. The race begins at Cotesloe Beach and ends at Rottnest Island, a distance of 19,700 meters (19.7 kilometers).



Started in 1991, this swimming event is participated in by some 2,000 competitors of all ages every year. The competition has both individual and team (with 2 or 4 members) races.



Great Swim:



This event was initially staged on September 14, 2008 at Lake Windermere, England. The race, called Great North Swim, covered a distance of 1.61 kilometers. More than 2,000 swimmers competed in this race and the event was considered a big success.



The following year, four separate Great Swim events were held:



1. Great London Swim - held at the Royal Victoria Dock on August 15, 2009 (initial staging).



2. Great Scottish Swim - held at the Strathclyde Park on August 29, 2009 (initial staging).



3. Great North Swim - held on September 12 and 13, 2009 (second staging).



4. Great East Swim - held at Alton Water on September 26, 2009 (initial staging).



The success of the 2008 edition of the Great North Swim continued in the 2009 event, with more than 6,000 participants, about 77 percent of which was recorded to have finished the race. Swimmers from all over the world hope all four Great Swim events will be held every year.



The origin of open water swimming, both as a recreation and a sport, may be traced to the successful Europe-Asia swim of Lord Byron across the Turkish strait of Hellespont on May 3, 1810. The first recorded use of open water swimming in a sporting event was during the first holding of the modern Olympics in 1896 in Athens, Greece.

Summer is that time of the year when families troop to beaches and swimming pools for a cool dip. Other than being a good form of exercise, swimming is an opportunity for members of the family to enjoy each other's company in a relaxing environment.



There shouldn't be any boring time for parents and their children at the swimming pool, as there certainly are lots of fun-filled activities that can be done here that one wishes the day will never come to an end. For example, several games can be played in swimming pools which can bring enjoyment to everyone; one such popular swimming pool game is dibble.



This game is very popular in Massachusetts, although it is often played too in other areas in the USA but under different names, such as "dibble dabble" or "toothpaste top" (the latter in reference to one of several objects that may be used for this game).



There is no limit to the number of players that can participate. The game begins with all participants standing at the side of the pool, except for one who will place any buoyant object - usually a popsicle stick (others use the top of a toothpaste tube, a clear water bottle cap, or a light blue-colored golf tee) at the bottom of the deep end of the pool.



As the player who hid the object gets out of the pool quickly (usually this player will not compete in this round), the object will slowly rise to the pool's surface. Once any of the players spots the object, he or she calls out "dibble", jumps into the water, and tries to get to it before anyone else does.



Some strategies can add to the excitement:



• For the player who spots the object: He or she may opt to mislead the others by not jumping directly toward the object; remember that there will always be someone who can swim faster than you.



• For the other players who have not even spotted the object yet: They can jump into the pool, following the one (or several ones) who might have already seen the object, and try to create distractions by splashing around.



• For any player: He or she can trick the others by shouting "dibble" and jumping into the water even when he/she has not spotted the object yet.



In one variation of the game, the player who hid the object can participate in the "retrieval" but only after at least one player has jumped into the pool.



A couple rules to observe:



• Only those players who are in the water can retrieve the object; those who are not, or are just standing on the side of the pool, may not do so.



• A player has to first shout "dibble" before jumping into the pool; otherwise he gets disqualified in that round (often however, in the heat of excitement, no one may really care anymore if one called out the key word or not).



The winner of the game (that is, the one who successfully retrieved the object) will act as the "hide master" (and he or she can choose any other buoyant object he/she wishes to hide) in the next game.



Those who may be playing dibble for the first time may hear, during a game, such terms as "dibbler", "crabble", and "frabble". The first refers to the player hiding the object; the second describes an erroneous catch of the object between the fingers (instead of being firmly clasped in the hand); and the last one pertains to the catching of the object with the use of the toes.



Children aged 8 and above, provided they can swim, are the ideal participants in this really exciting swimming pool game. And the more players there are, the more fun this game can generate.

Each of the different swimming styles has known advantage and disadvantage. In the case of backstroke, the advantage is that the swimmer is able to breathe easily, while its disadvantage is that the swimmer is not able to see where he is going. And of the different swimming competitions, the backstroke competition is the only one that starts in the water.



A backstroke competition begins with the swimmers seen in the following position: they lie flat on their back, arms (and the fingers) extended, and legs stretched backwards.



The forward movement of the body in backstroke is due mainly to the stroke of the arms, which has two phases. The first phase is called the "power phase" and the second is called the "recovery phase." A full arm cycle is made once the arms complete an alternating turn. In this alternating turn, one arm is submerged as the other is recovering.



From the starting position described above, one arm goes partly underwater with the palm turned outward. The hand then enters the water downward (little finger first), and then pulls out at an angle of about 45 degrees. From here, the hand makes a circling motion all the way to the hip's side.



All throughout, the palm should be facing opposite the direction of the swim, though it must remain straight to serve as the arm's extension. The elbow, on the other hand, should always be pointing downward (towards the pool's bottom). These coordinated actions are necessary in order that the arms and elbows are able to push the greatest volume of water possible back to help in the body's forward motion.



Within the power phase of the arm's stroke is a sub-phase called "mid-pull." This occurs at the level of the shoulders, when the lower and upper arms appear to form a right angle. This sub-phase, in turn, has the palm forcefully pushing down, and with the fingers pointing upward. The purpose here is the same: push the body forward against the water.



At the end of this sub-phase, the palm loosely beats down to begin a final forward push down to as deep as about half a meter. This is the end of the power phase. This particular movement helps prepare the body to roll back to the other side. Also to increase the hand's resistance in the water because of the turbulence, the fingers can be somewhat apart during the power phase.



In initiating the recovery phase, the swimmer turns his hand, such that the palm points toward the legs and the side of the thumb points upward. As mentioned earlier, the start of the recovery phase of one arm coincides with the beginning of the power phase of the other.



The arm in the recovery phase is moved to the front, over the shoulder, in a semi-circular motion. Also during this phase, the palm turns in a way that the hand enters the water with the little finger first, so that water resistance is minimal; the palm, at this point, points upward.



After a brief gliding interval, the arms proceed anew with the alternating power/recovery phase cycle.

The backstroke swimming style dates from the remote past and is more or less as ancient as the forward crawl. As its name suggests, backstroke is swum like an upside down forward crawl (note that both backstroke and forward crawl are considered long-axis swimming strokes).



Backstroke had its debut in Olympics during the Games of the II Olympiad (the 1900 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France), with an event in men's 200-meter individual race. This event was won by Ernst Hoppenberg of Germany. At the following Summer Olympic Games held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904, the men's backstroke event was cut by more than a half to 100 yards (91.44 meters), which was won by Walter Brack of Germany.



At the 1908 London Olympics, the men's 100-meter backstroke was added to the swimming events. The following is a list of the Gold Medalists in the first 10 Olympics in which this event was held.



1. Arno Bieberstein of Germany (1908 London Olympics). In the finals, he outsprinted Ludvig Dam of Denmark, with a time of 1 minute and 24.6 seconds.



2. Harry Joseph Hebner of the USA (1912 Stockholm Olympics). He clocked 1 minute and 21.2 seconds in the finals, beating Otto Fahr of Germany by 1.2 seconds.



3. Warren Paoa Kealoha of the USA (1920 Antwerp Olympics). He beat fellow American swimmer Raymond Kegeris in the finals, with a time of 1 minute and 15.2 seconds.



4. Warren Paoa Kealoha of the USA (1924 Paris Olympics). This makes him the first back-to-back Olympic Gold Medalist in this event. He beat yet another American swimmer (Paul Wyatt) in the finals, clocking 1 minute and 13.2 seconds.



5. George Harold Kojac of the USA (1928 Amsterdam Olympics). This event actually had three American swimmers finishing 1-2-3 (Walter Laufer won the Silver Medal and Paul Wyatt the Bronze). Kojac won in the finals in 1:08.2.



6. Masaji Kiyokawa of Japan (1932 Los Angeles Olympics). He is the first Asian to have won this event, prior to the successes of Yoshinobu Oyakawa (who actually represented the USA) in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and Daichi Suzuki also of Japan in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Masaji won in the finals over fellow Japanese swimmer Toshio Irie, clocking 1 minute and 8.6 seconds. Interestingly, if the previous Olympics had a 1-2-3 American finish in this event, here it was a 1-2-3 Japanese finish, with Kentaro Kawatsu winning the Bronze Medal.



7. Adolf Gustav Kiefer of the USA (1936 Berlin Olympics). He is the fourth American swimmer to win this Olympic swimming event. In the final race, he outclocked Al Vande Weghe (also of the USA) by 1.8 seconds, winning the Gold Medal in 1 minute and 5.9 seconds.



8. Allen McIntyre Stack of the USA (1948 London Olympics). He won in the finals over fellow American swimmer Robert Cowell by the slimmest of margins - a mere tenth of a second. His winning time was 1 minute and 6.4 seconds.



9. Yoshinobu Oyakawa of the USA (1952 Helsinki Olympics). His winning time was 1 minute 5.4 seconds, beating Gilbert Bozon of France by eight-tenths of a second.



10. David Egmont Theile of Australia (1956 Melbourne Olympics). He is the first and so far the only Australian swimmer to have won this Olympic swimming event. He won over fellow Australian swimmer John Monckton, with a time of 1 minute and 2.2 seconds. Actually, Theile is the second back-to-back Gold Medalist in this event, having also won the Gold in the 1960 Rome Olympics.



Note that the 1916 Summer Olympics, which was supposed to be held in Berlin, Germany, was cancelled because of the war at that time. Likewise, there were no Olympic Games held in 1940 and 1944 (with Tokyo and London as the supposed sites, respectively) due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

The term "underwater sports" includes a range of disciplines, most of which involve the use of certain equipment, such as a snorkel, scuba, or a swimfin. The discipline that makes use of a swimfin is aptly called fin swimming (also sometimes written as a single word - finswimming).



Simply defined, fin swimming involves the action of a swimmer in advancing into the water using muscle strength and with the aid of a monofin (a type of swimfin consisting of a single surface attached to footpockets for both the underwater swimmer's feet) or flippers (the normal swimfins, such as the bifins or stereofins).



Fin swimming, in turn, has four sub-disciplines: surface, surface bifins, apnea, and immersion. While fin swimming differs from conventional swimming, mainly due to the use of said special equipment, both use the same distances for competitions.



Surface fin swimming competitions have races in 50-, 100-, 200-, 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter distances. There also are 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter surface fin swimming races. In these races, swimmers have to surface before the 15-meter mark after the start and each turn. Each swimmer uses a center-mounted snorkel to breathe. Surface bifins swimming has competitions in 50-, 100-, and 200-meter distances.



Apnea fin swimming has generally only one competition, and this is in the 50-meter distance. The term "apnea", as we know, refers to the suspension of external breathing. Hence, apnea competition is a race for distance underwater with no breathing allowed (even during a turn).



Immersion fin swimming differs from the apnea discipline in that competitors pull themselves down to the required depth and then resurface in a race format. There are competitions in 100-, 400-, and 800-meter depths. This discipline involves the use of a scuba tank with a simplified regulator.



Training programs for fin swimmers differ in many ways from those undertaken by swimmers in the other swimming disciplines. For example, fin swimmers do a lot of out-of-water work, and many of these can be compared to those done by track runners in their training. The programs often involve weight training, plyometrics, and core stability.



Fin swimming is already very popular in many countries around the world and is steadily gaining enthusiasts in the United States. A big reason for the sport's popularity is the speed that a fin swimmer can attain. Note that the world record in 50-meter apnea fin swimming (currently held by Russia's Euvjeny Skorjenko) is 14.18 seconds, while that in 50-meter freestyle (currently held by France's Frederick Bousquet) is 6.76 seconds off, at 20.94 seconds.



Another thing that attracts many conventional swimmers to fin swimming is that in this sport one does not need to be a good swimmer. Any individual can excel in fin swimming, provided he or she works hard in training. Many scuba divers choose to engage in heavy fin swimming training because it enhances their endurance and strength, which makes them very competitive when swimming against strong underwater currents.



Competitions in the different fin swimming disciplines are currently regulated by the World Underwater Federation, or CMAS (for the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques), the international umbrella organization for all the diver training organizations in the world.

Several factors need to be considered when choosing the kind of suit to wear for swimming or any other water activity. Most of the factors are optional or those that are dictated by the wearer's preferences. For example, how much exposure to the sun is the swimmer willing to take? Here, he or she will pick a swimsuit based on the extent of body coverage the garment will provide. Of course, trends in fashion will also be in his/her mind.



But one factor that always has to be given weight is water temperature. It is advised that swimmers use the kind of swimsuit that will give them sufficient body coverage and protection during cold water swimming, as in swimming in outdoor bodies of water (oceans, rivers, or lakes). Two types of swimsuit are recommended for this purpose: wetsuit and dry suit.



Wetsuit:



Open water swimmers and deep divers use wetsuits because of the thermal insulation they provide. A typical wetsuit is made of neoprene (a synthetic rubber), which is foamed with small bubbles of nitrogen gas. These bubbles reduce heat conduction by minimizing heat transport through the gas. Note that like most other gas, nitrogen has minimal thermal conductivity in relation to water. Apart from insulation, wetsuits also provide abrasion resistance and buoyancy, the latter made possible by the low density the bubbles give.



An efficient wetsuit is one that fits snugly. If a suit fits too loosely, it will cause water to break away from between the body and the suit, taking the body's heat away as well in the process. An important feature of a wetsuit is the flexible seal at each cuff, which helps in the retention of water.



A reminder to underwater swimmers and divers: A wetsuit's thermal insulation and buoyancy properties are reduced as the foamed neoprene gets compressed at depth.



Dry Suit:



This suit is often used in cold water swimming, diving, and other such activities or sports done in or around outdoor bodies of water. Wearers of dry suits are provided with thermal protection while immersed in water or exposed to cold temperatures while, for instance, windsurfing or canoeing.



Except for the head and the hands and feet, a dry suit protects the entire body during extended immersion in cold water, especially if the water temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). Some divers or swimmers find discomfort in a wetsuit during prolonged stay in cold water, and thus they prefer to wear a dry suit instead.



Compared with a wetsuit, a dry suit provides better thermal insulation as it is designed to prevent the entry of water. If only for this, many open water sports enthusiasts prefer dry suits over wetsuits, as they consider the former more suitable for use in cold water.



A dry suit has three necessary parts:



1. Waterproof shell - This is the main part, which is made from synthetic rubber (example, polychloroprene) that gives the suit its thermal insulation property.



2. Seals - These are usually made from latex rubber, and are set around the neck and cuff portions of the suit to prevent entry of water. They are, however, not perfectly watertight, such that seepage is possible during use.



3. Waterproof zipper - This essential part is commonly set up across the rear of the shoulders or the front of the torso (diagonally or straight down the middle).



It is a fact that water is more efficient than air when it comes to conducting heat away from the body. Cold water is understandably even more efficient in this respect. Hence, an improperly geared open water swimmer or diver faces the risk of hypothermia (below normal body temperature). A wetsuit or dry suit is therefore important in any cold water activity.

Swimming in outdoor bodies of water always entails some risks. There is, for instance, the possibility that a swimmer will attempt descending to great depths and then getting caught between rocks or entangled in weeds. Such a scenario can most likely result to drowning, often the main cause of death in underwater accidents.



In a typical case similar to that illustrated above, the swimmer who begins to drown is at once overpowered by fright. This makes attempts of rescue by another swimmer highly risky, since the rescuer may be pulled under the water and drowns as well. In such a case, it is always better that the drowning swimmer is thrown anything that will help him buoy himself up (a pole, for example) than to attempt a person-to-person rescue.



If the drowning swimmer has been injured, he should be removed from the water very carefully. Keeping the victim's nose and mouth above water while he is adrift may be easy. But the moment his removal from the water is attempted, the water loses its buoyancy and the effort to take him out of the water may worsen his injury.



Many times it is suggested that an injured swimmer is kept afloat until some equipment suitable for use in the given situation arrive; it may be necessary, however, to restore breathing by means of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while the victim is kept above water. When removing an injured swimmer from the water, it is important that his body is kept straight by placing him on top of anything firm with a flat surface as he is being carried out of the water.



The danger of drowning has a lot of contributing factors that not even seasoned swimmers are absolutely safe. Hyperventilation is one such factor. It is defined as the "excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood."



Such a condition can occur in a swimmer the moment he repeatedly breaths deeply just prior to going under water; by this, the swimmer effectively lets loose a substantial amount of carbon dioxide from his body (carbon dioxide, in fact, stimulates breathing). Consequently, the swimmer sort of deprives himself his breathing capacity and may altogether lose consciousness.



A similar situation in which hyperventilation may occur is when a swimmer performs successive dives with only brief intervals between plunges. Again in this situation, the diver may take repeated deep breaths between plunges, which, in effect, may result to the total removal of carbon dioxide from his body. And in all certainty, this will lead to his losing interest in breathing any further, causing him to lapse into unconsciousness.



Note that a swimmer rescued from drowning in salt water has lost body fluid from osmotic action of the saltwater. Thus he needs water given him orally. The additional water may not be necessary for someone rescued from a freshwater accident.



In case the drowning victim has stopped breathing, artificial respiration should be started immediately. Allow members of a rescue squad to take over (when they arrive), so that pure oxygen can be given to the victim. The rule is to continue attempting to revive the victim for no less than an hour before giving him up as dead.



On the other hand, a swimmer successfully rescued from drowning still needs care, preferably in a hospital, for as long as the doctor thinks is necessary.

There are at least sixteen different strokes used in swimming, and about half of these are used in competitions. By simple definition, a swimming stroke refers to a technique used by a swimmer to drive himself forward; the technique involves the coordinated movements of the arms and legs.



Of the different swimming styles that are regulated by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), the butterfly swimming stroke is regarded as the fastest (actually, another swimming stroke - called forward crawl - is considered the fastest, except that it is not regulated by FINA).



A distinguishing feature of the butterfly swimming stroke is the synchronous pull-push motion of both arms. Because of this, its maximum speed is deemed even faster than the forward crawl's; overall, however, it is slightly slower when the recovery phase is considered, during which the speed considerably goes down.



Here's how the butterfly stroke compares with two other FINA-regulated swimming styles in terms of their respective top speeds:



• butterfly - 2.18 meters per second



• backstroke - 2.04 meters per second



• breaststroke - 1.84 meters per second



Another point of comparison between the butterfly and the other swimming styles is the degree of difficulty at which each is performed. For example, the backstroke and breaststroke styles can be performed with relative ease even with an imperfect technique. But the same can't be said of the butterfly, which requires flawless technique.



Beginners swear that butterfly is very difficult to learn, and expert swimmers and swimming coaches agree it's the most difficult swimming stroke indeed. The style involves swimming on the breast while pulling and pushing both arms at "exactly" the same time. Note the emphasis on the word exactly; the technique is considered poor if the arms are not moving perfectly in unison.



Swimmers are unanimous in saying that the difficulty in the butterfly style lies in the recovery phase, when all the necessary over-water moves have to be done synchronously. This means that in that single motion, the swimmer has to take a quick breath while simultaneously lifting out of the water fully his head, arms, shoulders, and part of his chest.



A flawed technique won't be overcome by the swimmer's purely physical strength. Also during competition, the butterfly swimmer is not allowed to swim underwater, except for the first stroke after the start (in which the swimmer is allowed up to 15 meters of swimming underwater before his head breaks the surface) and after each turn.



Another distinguishing feature of the stroke is the kick that accompanies it - the dolphin kick. Here, the legs also move in unison, using an entirely different set of muscles: a forceful up and down kick brings the shoulders above the surface, while the reverse of this kick sequence brings the shoulders back below the surface.



Although the butterfly swimming stroke is known to have been used in a competition for the first time in 1933, the dolphin kick was only developed two years later. The combined windmill-like movement of the arms and the fishtail-like kicks are the keys to the development of this very fast, albeit quite difficult, swimming style.