Learning is an endless process. For example, you know how to swim is one thing and you are good at swimming is another thing.
From my understanding, there are mainly four types of swimming styles: Freestyle Stroke, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly stroke.
I learned the Breaststroke at first. I began to learn to swim when I was around fourteen. The purpose is to I can survive from the river when I fall into the river accidentally. It was summer time, we drive few mile to a nearby river. Since the water flow may vary at different days and I may easy to get tired. I used an inflated tire tube as a life jacket. Honestly to say, it was very easy to get tired even I just swim 50 meters. Another thing about swimming, is that I maybe very hungry after swimming. So I took few pieces of hardtack. I may not swim well at that time. But at least, I am not so afraid of under water.
Another time, I learn more about swimming was when I was at graduate school. Two friends (K and M) and I may go to the indoor swimming pool of Affiliated High School of South China Normal University. It is not far away from our campus. At summer time, we may go there two or three weeks a time. Both K and M were swimming better than me. Every time, we are in a same lane, we started at different time. I was always the last one that trying to catch up with them. After swimming, a good dinner was necessary. For example, we went to Shaliya restaurant for pizza or pasta.
The day that changed my attitude towards swimming started from the the first day I began to the swimming pool. I always tell this story to some of my friends: I learned freestyle stroke from M, my first swimming coach. I met him from the day I went to the swimming pool at Michigan Tech. That day, we checked in at the same time and then went to the swimming pool. We found that there was only one lane available. So we shared the lane. Before he swam, I thought he was a beginner as me. However, when he jumped in to the pool, kicked the water with high speed, and pulled the water with chest and back. Wow, he is a swimmer. From then, I began to learn freestyle stroke from him. I really appreciate his help. For now, go to swimming is my favorite way to relax.
After M, I also learned other swimming tricks from the other swimmers. I learned the technique skills of freestyle stroke, dolphin kick, and a little of butterfly from Coach J, flip turn technique from experienced swimmer D. But the learning process has no end. I can always from something need to be improved. For now, I am try to pull the water with balanced left side and right side. For me, I prefer to use right hand pull more water, and right side to breath. But it's better to pull the water with both sided evenly. There are more to improve.
Learn to swim like a fish. The more smooth you swim, the more small techniques you will learn.
