Methods and Means Regarding the Learning of Swimming in Pools of Different Depths

Abstract

Swimming plays an outstanding role in the daily life of contemporary man. Its hygienic and recreational importance has favourable effects upon the body and consequently strengthens health. In order to gradually reach the intensity and a huge workload in case of the performance sport necessary to a world- wide competitive swimmer the initiation from a very early age is needed along with the learning, if possible, of the four correct swimming techniques in the shortest possible time. This is achievable only through the creative use of the existing conditions, organisation and correct training, by choosing the most efficient methods and teaching means and the judicious use of the time devoted to the training classes. By using adequate means during the initiation process we will get very good results and stimulate courage, self-confidence, increase of work capacity as well as the avoidance of monotony providing a greater variety and complexity. I do consider that the use of water games in going through the fundamental steps of the specific initiation (getting used to the water, learning of the basic technical elements (floating, breath, glid- ing), learning of the leg and arm movements and the co-ordination of the legs movement with the arms movement and breath are of utmost importance. The goal of this paper is to prove that the initiation of swimming in deep wa- ter is as efficient as the initiation of swimming in shallow water.