Which competitive swim strokes you should learn first when learning how to swim?

Swimming is an essential life skill that everyone should learn. When first learning how to swim, it's important to start with the basic strokes and gradually progress to more advanced techniques. In this blog post, we'll go over which of the four competitive swim strokes you should learn first when learning how to swim.

1. Freestyle

Freestyle, also known as the front crawl, is the most basic and widely used swimming stroke. It's the first stroke that most swimmers learn and is essential for swimming long distances efficiently. To perform the freestyle stroke, swimmers alternate their arms in a circular motion while kicking their legs in a flutter kick.

2. Backstroke

Backstroke is the second basic swimming stroke that most swimmers learn. It's a great stroke for beginners because it allows swimmers to breathe easily and maintain a comfortable position in the water. To perform the backstroke, swimmers lie on their back and alternate their arms in a circular motion while kicking their legs in a flutter kick.

3. Breaststroke

Breaststroke is a slightly more advanced swimming stroke that requires coordination and timing. To perform the breaststroke, swimmers alternate their arms in a sweeping motion while bringing their legs together in a frog-like kick.

4. Butterfly

Butterfly is the most advanced swimming stroke and requires a high level of strength and coordination. It's not typically taught to beginner swimmers but is important for advanced swimmers looking to improve their technique. To perform the butterfly stroke, swimmers perform a dolphin kick while pulling both arms through the water in a sweeping motion.

When learning how to swim, it's important to start with the basic strokes and gradually progress to more advanced techniques. The first strokes to learn are the freestyle and backstroke, followed by the breaststroke and butterfly. By mastering these strokes, swimmers can develop a strong foundation of swimming skills and enjoy the many benefits of swimming as a form of exercise and recreation.