Swimming

by Amanda R.

Swimming is my favorite sport. You have to kick your legs to float in the water. Swimming is one of the most healthful sports. Nearly every muscle of the body is used in swimming and regular practice of the sport helps develop coordination and strength.

Millions of people swim regularly in rivers, lakes, and oceans all over the world. Indoor pools have made swimming a year-round sport. Man is not a natural swimmer. Originally he mus have learned to swim by watching animals that swim by instinct. Swimming was undoubtedly important to the survival of early man but its rise as a sport has been comparatively recent. Swimming as a sport goes back only to the beginning of the 19th century.

Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English channel. The international popularity of competitive swimming has gone hand in hand with the revival of the Olympic Games. Swimming was included in the first modern games in Athens in 1896 and today water spo rts are second only to track-and-field events. At first the breaststroke was the only racing stroke. used but as competition increased racers developed new ways of swimming faster. the best place to learn to swim is in a pool where supervision and coaching are easiest.

A championship swimmer must have physical endurance and strength. A champion swimmer needs plenty of rest and a simple healthful diet. Swimming can be fun!