There are so many swim strokes for swimming, but which is the best? The only way you have learned to swim (most likely front crawl.) But if you know how, the breaststroke is my favorite.
Whether you are going to rescue someone or getting across a body of water, breaststroke is the calmest (and can be fast if done properly) but the most energy draining way to swim. In a rescue situation, once you get to the person in trouble, you will want to do a tow with a sidestroke. Don’t get me wrong, the front crawl is a fast, efficient way to get to your destination. But in a panic situation, I have seen swimmers breathe in water using the front crawl. Why would I want to use an energy draining way to swim for survival? Because it is calming, and you very rarely breathe in water during the swim. The current world record in 2024 for 100m swim is 46.8 seconds for freestyle and 56.88 seconds for breaststroke. That is over a 10 second difference, so maybe the front crawl is good for pure speed.
I remember having to take a 400m swim test (along with multiple other swim and rescue tests.) I finished in 8 minutes using the breaststroke which was about 30 seconds slower than all the others who used the front crawl. I didn’t need to be the fastest, I just wanted to complete the test to score points for a multi water event test but reserve enough energy for all the other events.
I have seen so many triathletes and Iron Man competitors use a front crawl to see how fast they can swim. Those in great swim shape with excellent front crawl technique can just keep going, but I have seen quite a few slow down their heart rate by resting for a few minutes and catching their breath after taking in some water. I have come out of the water after a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) swim and immediately got on my bike after I ripped off the wetsuit because my heart rate wasn’t as fast, and I didn’t have any problems breathing while swimming. Part of that is training the right muscles for breaststroke as it is can be more of a workout.
What is the proper way to do a breaststroke and have the speed necessary to get to your destination?
- Arms with palms touching will move forward from the chest at the surface of the water (cutting through the water like a blade).
- Open the arm slightly and pull backwards under the water for momentum.
- As your head rises above the water, inhale
- Prepare your hands, palms touching, and exhale slowly as you initiate the kicking motion.
- When the kicking motion is occurring, arms with palms touching should be forward so the kicking motion is fully efficient with your arms forward and palms together.
- Start at step 2 and repeat.
I have learned multiple strokes, but my favorite for survival is the breaststroke, unless I am swimming to get away from something chasing me. Then again, I may just dive down into the water instead of splashing at the top of the water. This method is not for everyone, and I am sure many front crawlers have something to say. I use the appropriate swim stroke for the occasion.
