Swimming is not just a sport; it’s a life skill. In the past, it was even a survival skill and thus was passed on through generations of human history. It is estimated that across the US, 44% of people over the age of 15 can swim, and 57% of the global population can swim unassisted. Aside from its safety benefits, swimming as a form of fitness is also popular, with an estimated 4.7 million adults worldwide swimming at least twice a month.
Alongside its sporting popularity, swimming has a history rooted in the ancient past, dating back thousands of years. This article will explore its history and origins.
10 Facts About Swimming History
Swimming dates back over 4000 years to 2500 BCE in Ancient Egypt. Since bygone Egypt, swimming has been practiced in Ancient Greece and Rome as part of military training, with swimming races first taking place in Japan in 100 BC. Throughout history, swimming has been practiced in both leisure and sporting capacities. Here are ten facts that explore its rich past:
- The Japanese are said to have held the first swimming races, subsequently spreading globally.
- Swimming was essential to ancient Greek and Roman military training and early education.
- The first heated swimming pool was built in the 1st century by Roman diplomat Gaius Maecenas.
- The Art of Swimming, published in 1696, helped spread the breaststroke technique throughout Europe.
- US founding father Benjamin Franklin invented swimming fins.
- Swimming has been at the Olympics since 1896 – the first modern Olympic games.
- Nearly two decades later, in 1912, female athletes were first allowed to compete in swimming races.
- Before 1976, goggles were not allowed to be used in swimming competitions. In 1976, goggles were permitted.
- In 2008, Speedo introduced the LZR Racer bodysuit made of polyurethane in collaboration with NASA. This suit reduced drag by 24% and helped athletes break over 20 world records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- In 2010, polyurethane was banned in swimwear, requiring swimming costumes made from textile materials.
To learn more about swimming, explore our video courses on the ISNation app by veteran swimming instructor and coach George Kennedy
When was the First Swimming Pool in the World Built?
The first swimming pool, known as ‘The Great Bath,’ was built in Pakistan over five millenniums ago. While presumably not used for swimming but for religious purposes, it was constructed in the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro.
The first purposely built pool for swimming was established in Ancient Greece in 600 BCE as a public swimming bath. Greek Philosopher Plato made swimming universal by teaching children to swim.
It wasn’t until 1837 that swimming pools became mainstream in the West, with six indoor heated swimming pools established. This led to the first modern Olympic games later in the century and the continuous expansion of swimming pools globally.
When Were Swimming Pools Invented?
As mentioned, pools were invented in ancient Pakistan in the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro and later used for recreational swimming during the Ancient Greek and Roman times.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that the first modern-day swimming pools were created with the invention of hygienic filtration systems and the use of chlorine as a disinfectant to stop the spread of bacteria and diseases.
Olympic swimming pools, 50m in length, were invented in the 20th century, spurring further invention into the 21st century and the present day.
6 Main Types of Swimming
Freestyle
There are numerous types of swimming, including different strokes, techniques, and maneuvers. There are six main types of swimming, each with distinct origins.
Freestyle/ Front Crawl
Freestyle, or front crawl, is a swimming stroke that dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt. The stroke has undergone multiple iterations, such as the switch from a dolphin kick to a scissor kick in 1873. The front crawl is the most common and fastest stroke, with a 50-meter world record at 20.91 seconds.
Butterfly
The butterfly was invented in the 1930s. Invented as a breaststroke style, it wasn’t until the early 1950s that the butterfly was recognized as its own stroke. Accompanying its overarm technique, David Armbruster created the dolphin kick in the 1930s, resembling the stroke we know today. A specialized swimming stroke, the butterfly is practiced by elite swimmers at a high level of proficiency with a high learning curve.
Backstroke
Backstroke was created as a version of the front crawl, originating back to the 1900 Paris Olympics. Throughout the 20th century, backstroke underwent several changes, such as the introduction of a backstroke start in the 1988 Olympics and changes in stroke movement in the 1930s. Backstroke involves swimmers starting in the pool; the only stroke executed on your back.
Breastroke
Much like front crawl, breaststroke has a lengthy history – dating back to the 17th century. Breastroke is one of the most popular swimming strokes due to its easy-to-learn and pick-up nature – making it accessible. In 1904, breaststroke was first introduced at the highest level of competitive swimming at the Olympics as a men’s race, with women able to compete in breaststroke two decades later in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.
Underwater Kick
Underwater kicks can be classified as a type of swimming. While not used as a prominent stroke in competitions due to rule restrictions, the underwater kick is effective and fast if performed with the right technique. Underwater kicks can be scissors or breaststroke, but they are quickest as dolphin kicks. The underwater kick is commonly practiced by swimmers who want to strengthen their legs.
Sidestroke
While not a competitive form of swimming, the sidestroke is commonly used by lifeguards for swimming rescue. First introduced in the 1800s, the sidestroke is effectively a front crawl on your side that involves a scissor kick and overhead alternating arms. Sidestroke is one of the oldest swimming forms and is still practiced for rescue and recreation.
Learn which swimming strokes are the fastest here.
Key Moments in Swimming History
Swimming has a rich history. It experienced rapid growth in the Greek and Roman periods and the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in stroke technique and pool development. Without these eras of evolution, swimming would not be what it is today, shaping the sport into one of the most popular sporting activities globally.
If you’re a swimmer wanting to improve your stroke technique, check out the ISNation App for mind set courses and daily training.
