Swim

Swim is moving through water using limbs and breath. It can be recreational, competitive, lifesaving, or therapeutic and takes place in pools, rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water venues.

The four main competitive strokes are freestyle (front crawl), backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. An individual medley combines all four. Swimmers coordinate arm movements, kick tempo, and breathing. Common gear includes swimsuits, goggles, and swim caps; open-water swimmers may wear wetsuits in cold conditions.

Training emphasizes technique and conditioning. Swimming strengthens cardiovascular fitness, builds muscular endurance, and is relatively low impact on joints. Workouts include drills to fix technique and interval sets to develop speed and endurance. Beginners often start with guidance and flotation aids or supervised lessons.

Safety and accessibility: learning to swim reduces drowning risk. Practices include lifeguards, designated swim areas, and certified instruction. Many communities offer learn-to-swim programs and adaptions for people with disabilities.

History and competition: Swimming has ancient roots and was part of early athletic contests. Modern competitive swimming developed in the 19th century; men competed in 1896 Olympics, with women joining in 1912. World Aquatics (formerly FINA) governs the sport and oversees world championships and records in pool and open-water events.