There are four basic styles of swimming strokes, including freestyle, which is probably the most well-known and definitely the fastest. Freestyle swimming utilizes a continuous toes pointed flutter kick while the swimmer brings their arms through the water to propel forward, turning the head to the side for breaths as necessary.

Backstroke is similar to the freestyle swimming stroke with the flutter kick and rotating arm motion, but is instead performed on one’s back.

Breaststroke is the one that people liken to a frog’s swimming style, starting with the arms stretched to a point out front and then widening at the sides to pull through the water and yes, the legs are kicked much the same way a frog would. Then the swimmer glides through the water and repeats the process.

The butterfly stroke is considered a similar stroke to breaststroke, but instead of mimicking a frog, the kick is like a dolphin’s swimming style, generating power from the swimmer’s hips. With this style of swimming stroke, the arms are moved simultaneously out of the water and pulled down from the front to the thighs while the legs are kept straight and held together.

Swimming, no matter what stroke you choose, is a wonderful exercise with a multitude of health benefits. So, get stoked to stroke!