SWIMMING

Swimming is the sport that does not often pop into your head when you think of a sport. Usually you think of Basketball, soccer, baseball hockey and more. But swimming may actually be the most convenient sport of all, because it uses almost every single muscle in your body! I also really like it because you can do it at any age and you are never too young or old to start. I don’t know any other sport like that! In my opinion, learning how to swim should be a law. Did you know about 70% of earth is covered in water. That is not including pools. People, who cannot swim, usually fool around, play, and just talk in a pool or body of water. This is fine, but what if you want to go to the deep end? You need to be able to swim or at least able to hold yourself up in water. Also you should know how to swim in case of any emergency. Lastly, it is a lot of fun to dive or jump in the water, but you are not allowed to jump in the shallow end so after the fun dive you have to safely arrive back in the shallow end. There are many other reasons swimming is important. Let me walk (or should I say swim?) you by them.

As I said, swimming uses every single muscle in your body. It is very good for the cardio and lungs because it keeps your heart rate up and is an amazing workout that can get you tired but that does not give you pain or asthma attacks etc. unlike some other sports. According to healthstatus.com, swimming is actually recommended for asthma victims because the moist air helps them work out their lungs. Did you also know that swimming decreases diabetes risk? Swimming also builds endurance and strength. As you get more and more advanced, you may start doing more laps and may even time yourselves.

You may also want to learn how to save someone’s life and you can do just that by trying to tread in the water with some weight on you. You also need to push against the water current. These things are helping to build strength. A good benefit is that it improves flexibility because you stretch a lot while you do strokes. Did you know that swimming helps injuries to cool down and it can also be a stress therapy? Most people go to water to cool off in a hot summer day, and it can be so refreshing! It does not have to always be tiring because it also a relaxing way to exercise. Besides, what if someone one day drowns, if you can swim fast enough and at least get the victim out of the water, you can save them! You can swim in any body of water that your body fits: pools, lakes, seas, beaches, oceans, and rivers. You have tons of options.

It is easy to start learning how to swim. First, you should try out your own abilities during a free swim or hot day. Next you can sign up for lessons at your local pool or community center. When you are young and starting swimming, you can train to be a lifeguard (like me) and learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and more. The other option is if you think you are a fast swimmer, you can be a competitive swimmer and compete in small competitions and a lot of practices. Though, most people just want to learn the basics to survive. Here are some tips and things to remember:

• You should start at a low level and start slow.
• You should always stretch and warm up before you enter the pool.
• Have a drink prepared to keep hydrated after.
• Do not over do the swimming because you may get small cramps.
• Make sure you can swim well enough before you enter a deep end.

Not only does swimming help you keep fit, it is a way to make new friends that can become close to you. The other reason I like swimming is because it can be started really young and be continued forever no matter what age you are.

In my community there are many different pools that are in one branch. All of them have these levels: Tot and parent, preschool 1-5, swimmer 1-6, rookie patrol, ranger patrol, and star patrol. From there you can decide whether you want to move on to lifeguard training or to competitive swimming! In many other cities, there are different formats like the YMCA or Olympian swimming.

I have been in swimming since I was 5 or 6 starting in swimmer 1. Sometimes teachers can be very strict. I was in swimmer 3 three times because they did not pass me. I also have done swimmer 6 and rookie patrol twice. The more advanced you become, the more harder things you do. For example, I now am in bronze star (Lifeguard training) and I do things like CPR, a lot of laps in timed minutes(harder than it sounds), carrying large weight for large period of time, learn treatment and more. I hope that people can make time once a week or once every 2 weeks to take the time to SWIM!! What has been your experience with swimming?

I love SWIMMING!!

Maxine Mutasingwa