Any swimmers here?

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I really enjoy swimming. I find it very relaxing as well as challenging. It feels very good to progress at the strokes and to become fitter. My favourite stroke is breaststroke because I can go quite fast with it and don't tire as quickly as with backstroke and front crawl. I am a perfectionist though and I feel unhappy after a swim if I don't think I've improved in some way.

To other swimmers: what is your favourite stroke and why?

I'm finding with backstroke I can really fly through the water compared to freestyle. It works the muscles in exact mirror image to freestyle anyway, so my swimming workouts are usually 5 laps freestyle 1 backstroke, 4 freestyle 1 backstroke, 3 freestyle 1 backstroke, and so on down to 1, which is 1 km altogether. If I have more time and energy, I'll start with more laps. Once I get to triathlons, assuming my backstroke is still this fast compared to freestyle, my strategy will probably swim freestyle long enough to be free of the pack, then flip over onto my back to really get ahead of the pack.

I've heard the butterfly is among the most difficult movements for the human body to do, swimming or not. Would it have much value for an aspiring triathlete?

Well, since I've made this post, I think I've overcome my fear of water, being injured did a lot to make this swimming intensive possible. Though a lot of Dutch people I've talked with at the swimming pool swear by a cold shower afterwards, saying it feels really good. I'm skeptical. I've never been good with cold water, and I'm glad wetsuits are the norm with triathlons.

I was never good at swimming and it took me longer (as with other things such as tying shoe laces, riding a bike) to learn how to swim. Unfortunately, my parents didn't decide to follow up on this and my other struggles when I was younger so I went undiagnosed. They just thought I was bad at doing things, bad at making friends and generally a problem child.
I get stressed in water, even when I take a bath. I absolutely hate water touching my face or diving underwater. I remember there was a big deal with my swimming class when I was about five because I refused to dive underwater to collect a rubber ring - I didn't even attempt to do it. I hated all through school being told that I MUST participate in swimming carnival races. It was horrifyingly embarrassing for someone who is such a slow and weak swimmer. I pissed the teachers off by diving in with the other kids and swimming to the nearest ladder to actually save myself the embarrassment of swimming so slow. Other kids thought it was hilarious anyway.

What do other swimmers do to improve?

I have lessons, and also watch YouTube videos sometimes. I have only been watching 'Lovely Swimmer' videos lately, which are in Korean but I like them because they are short and focused. When swimming I try to improve at just one or two things, so I don't have too much to think about it.