frisimmande

Frisimmande is a Swedish term that literally translates to "free swimming." It describes a swimming stroke characterized by an alternating motion of the arms and legs, similar to the crawl stroke. The defining feature of frisimmande is the streamlined, horizontal body position and the continuous, rhythmic propulsion through the water.

The stroke involves a symmetrical movement of the arms, where each arm moves independently through the air and water. As one arm enters the water and pulls backward, the other arm is recovering above the surface. The legs perform a flutter kick, a rapid up-and-down movement that provides balance and additional propulsion. Breathing is typically done by turning the head to the side during the arm recovery phase, allowing for an intake of air without disrupting the body's streamline.

Frisimmande is the most efficient and fastest of the four competitive swimming strokes. It is the stroke most commonly associated with the term "freestyle" in international swimming competitions, though technically, swimmers in freestyle events can use any stroke they choose. However, due to its speed and efficiency, the front crawl is almost universally adopted in freestyle races. The technique emphasizes minimizing drag and maximizing forward momentum.