When we think of the ability to swim within the sporting realm, we put ourselves squarely in swimming with lifeguard training. However, there are other disciplines for which knowing how to swim becomes an essential requirement. Do you have any idea what they are?
Precisely, one of the characteristics of the sports that we are going to list is that, in addition to taking advantage of the benefits of swimming with lifeguard training, they combine them with other benefits of each of them. If you are interested in moving in the water, but not measuring yourself in speed or endurance tests, perhaps one of these alternatives is ideal for you.
5 sports for which we need to know how to swim
Not only synchronized swimming or trampoline jumping are variants of sports that demand this ability. Next, we are going to know a few more options in which knowing how to swim fluently is essential:
1. Water polo
We start this list with a collective discipline: water polo. In short, we could define it as a mix between handball and swimming. The basic premise of this sport is that two teams of seven players each – six players and a goalkeeper – face each other with the objective of scoring goals by introducing a ball into the opposing goal.
Players must adhere to certain rules, regardless of their position on the field, such as not jumping with both arms raised or catching the ball with both hands. The pools are 30 meters long by 20 wide and 1.80 meters deep. Of course, knowing how to swim well is essential to excel in this sport.
2. Motonautics
It is, in reality, a family of sports that includes several disciplines, each regulated by a particular international federation. In this way, we can list the following modalities:
- Offshore or offshore speed.
- Endurance.
- Speed on the coast or inshore.
- Rally racing.
- Dragster racing.
The differences between them have to do with the place of the competition, the duration of the tests, and, above all, the characteristics of the boat. Of course, there are very strict security measures in relation to these races. All require the requirement of knowing how to swim since it is a water sport in which you have to be prepared for any inconvenience.
3. Canoeing
This sport can be practiced in kayaks or canoes. What differs between these two options is the position of the paddler and the type of paddle used; In addition, both present the possibility of practicing them individually, in pairs, or in a group. There are also alternative disciplines, such as rafting, in which other boats are used.
Although the most practiced modality is in calm waters, canoeing can take place in white water, with obstacles and downstream. As is evident, the possibility of ending up immersed in water is considerable for the athlete. So knowing how to swim and having the necessary safety equipment becomes essential.
4. Surf and other related disciplines
Surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddle surfing, and bodyboarding are just some of the options within this group of sports. The common characteristic of all of them is that a table is needed for their practice. With this element, you must go through the waves doing all kinds of stunts and, of course, without losing your balance.
However, the latter is not easy at all. For this reason, long before learning to surf, an athlete must learn to swim. In this way, work of progressive difficulty can be carried out to advance in a discipline as challenging as it is exciting.
5. Triathlon and pentathlon
Finally, we include disciplines such as triathlon (three sports) and pentathlon (five), which consist of a combination of tests that demand different skills from the participants with lifeguard training. Some of the following disciplines may be included:
Swimming, cycling, and running (in that order, they make up the triathlon).
Fencing, swimming, show jumping, laser running, and running (modern pentathlon; until 1912 it included wrestling and discus and javelin throw).
In the case of triathlon, swimming is the first discipline carried out within the group; in the pentathlon, it is placed within the first three. This has to do with safety reasons, as athletes get tired and it is advisable to leave the riskiest discipline in the first place.
As you can see, knowing how to swim is not only useful to participate in the traditional events in an Olympic pool, but it opens the spectrum to many other less ‘popular’ but equally exciting alternatives. Would you like to practice any of the sports mentioned?
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