Swimmer

A swimmer is a person who moves through water by using their limbs and breath and engages in swimming as an activity. The term covers casual recreational swimmers as well as athletes who compete at local, national, and international levels.

Competitive swimming centers on four strokes—freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly—and on medley events that combine strokes. Races occur in pools of short or long course, typically 25-meter or 50-meter pools, with sprint and distance events. Open-water swimming is a related discipline.

Techniques emphasize body position, propulsion, breathing, starts, and turns. Efficient swimmers maintain a streamlined posture, generate propulsion with coordinated arm strokes and kicks, and minimize drag. Training combines technique drills, interval workouts, endurance sets, and strength conditioning, often under the guidance of a coach.

Safety and accessibility: swimming requires supervision in many settings. Instruction in water safety, rescue skills, and basic first aid reduces drowning risk. Programs range from learn-to-swim classes to advanced competitive training.

Equipment and attire: swimsuits or racing suits, swim caps, and protective goggles are commonly used. In training or competition, fins, kickboards, pull buoys, and paddles may be employed.

Governance and events: international competition is overseen by World Aquatics (formerly FINA), with national federations organizing domestic meets. Major events include the Olympic Games, World Championships, and regional championships.