Drew Sez: Secrets to being a great swimmer

Are you the type of person who doesn’t like to swim, or don’t know how? Swimming is a healthy, fun and cool activity you can do all year. I swam for 6 years with a swim team, so I'll give you some tips about swimming that might help you in the pool. First, there are four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breast stroke, and butterfly.




FREESTYLE: Head in a straight line, chin down, looking at the bottom of the pool. When you breathe, do not lift your chin; turn your head to the side. Hands point to the end of the pool as you reach, not the bottom of the pool. Hands should be parallel with your shoulders as they enter the water. Make yourself as tall as you can while swimming. Don’t wiggle your hips; they can roll, but not wiggle.

Do you wish to swim like a fish?

BACK STROKE: Chin up, not down toward chest. Hips up and straight. While kicking, knees stay underwater; feet are just at the surface of the water. Roll your shoulders as you reach with your arms. Reach your hands towards end of pool, arm near your ear. When your hand comes out of the water, it is with thumbs up. As your hand enters the water, it is with pinkie down. Make yourself as tall as you can on your reach.

BREAST STROKE: With your kick, heels are up toward ceiling. Heels to your butt, then toes out come around with your feet, then snap them together. Make sure they touch. With your pull, make a circle with your hands, bring your elbows to your side, hands touch, then quickly reach in front. Start your kick when your hands are together. Hold your reach until your feet are together, make sure you glide. Head down when you reach. Again, make yourself as tall as you can.  

BUTTERFLY: With the kick, press your stomach to the bottom, and then get your hips out of the water. Relax your legs; the whole kick comes from your hips. Get arms all the way out of the water and reach hands to other end of the pool. Point your chin to the end of the pool when you breathe. Hands should be parallel with your shoulders when they enter the water.

I hope you have learned a ton and I highly encourage you to swim. I’ve been swimming for twelve years and I know you might not get the hang of it at first, but it takes time and dedication to succeed.

-- Drew Y., Connecticut