Water Sports & Safety Quiz

• Leisure time is free time, not spent on obligations like chores or work.
• Recreation is a leisure activity involving physical engagement for enjoyment and fun.
• Recreational activities refresh mind and spirit; examples include gaming, traveling, singing, and creating arts/crafts.
• Sports can be leisure if done for fun, not competition.

Aquatic Recreational Activities

• The Philippines with over 7,100 islands, has many water bodies suitable for water-based recreation.
• Many Filipinos engage in water-based recreational activities.

Swimming

• Swimming involves propelling the body through water using combined leg and arm movements.
• Recreational swimming is common and requires minimal equipment.
• Recreational swimming is for fun, contrasting with structured competitive swimming.

Types of Aquatic Activities

• Kayaking involves using a double-bladed oar to propel a small boat, which is called a kayak.

• Kayaking can be done in various bodies of water, and kayaks may hold one to three paddlers.

• Surfing is a surface water sport where a surfer rides ocean waves on a surfboard.

• Surfers can use ocean waves or artificial waves in wave pools.

• Wakeboarding involves riding a wakeboard over water, towed by a motorboat or cable system.

• Wakeboarding techniques are adopted from surfing and snowboarding; it could be in the Olympics.

• Snorkeling involves swimming with a mask and tube near the water surface.

• Snorkeling allows underwater viewing while breathing through the tube.

• Water Aerobics are aerobics exercises performed in water, and they are often done in a shallow part of a swimming pool.

• Water aerobics offers low-impact movement, reducing pressure on muscles, bones, and joints.

• Water pressure aids heart function.

• Free Diving relies on holding breath underwater without breathing apparatus.

• Variations include spearfishing and underwater photography.

• Free diving is a sport and recreation.

• Recreational Scuba Diving is scuba diving for leisure, using basic equipment unlike technical scuba diving.

• Scuba diving involves a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba).

Benefits of Water-Based Recreation

• Water-based recreation provides health benefits.
• Swimming improves cardiorespiratory endurance and aerobic energy production.
• Water activities require muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.
• Activities like kayaking tone the body and strengthen muscles.
• Water-based recreations reduce stress and improve mental/emotional states, self-confidence, self-worth, and social interactions.

Hazards of Water-Based Recreational Activities

• Water activities have physical, microbial, and chemical hazards.

• Physical hazards include drowning and injuries.

• Drowning accounted for 372,000 deaths worldwide in 2014.

• Injuries occur from diving in shallow water or slipping.

• Exposure to cold, heat, and sunlight poses threats.

• Microbial hazards come from sewage in water bodies, causing infections like gastroenteritis, and respiratory infections.

• Viruses and bacteria in pools resist disinfectants.

• Chemical hazards come from industrial discharge in seas/rivers and soap/cosmetics in pools.

• Aquatic predators and microscopic organisms also pose threats.

Swimming as a Recreational Activity

• Formal swimming began in 2500 BCE in ancient civilizations and was part of martial training.
• Today, swimming is essential for body development, therapy, and sports like the Asian Games and Olympics.
• Competitive swimming in the Olympic Games began in 1896.

Difference Between Recreational and Competitive Swimming

• Competitive swimming started earlier in Europe, recreational swimming is more ancient.
• Recreational swimming is for fun, while competitive swimming is a contest to swim fastest.
• Both require swimming skills and etiquette.

Preparing to Swim

• Consider swimming venue (open-water or pool) and attire.

Swimming Venue

• One can have an open-water swimming venue like seas, rivers, and lakes or an indoor or outdoor swimming pool.
• Formal lessons use pools due to predictable water movement.
• Survey the area for wave/current strength in natural bodies, or shallow/deep areas in pools.
• Locate lifeguard stations and nearby clinics, or bring a first aid kit.

Swimming Attire

• Apparel includes swimsuits, caps, and goggles.
• Swimsuits minimize skin friction, unlike ordinary shorts/T-shirts.
• Caps reduce drag and protect hair.
• Goggles protect eyes and allow underwater vision.

Getting Started

• Do warm-up exercises before actual swimming.

• Stretching helps relieve muscle tension.

• It can also improve the range of motion and flexibility.

Taking a Shower

• Showering before swimming helps the body adjust to the temperature
• A pre-swim shower also removes sweat, cosmetics, and body oil, dirt, and bacteria and prevents water contamination.

Cooling Down

• Cooling down after swimming is also vital, similar to warming up, but at a slower pace and reduced intensity.
• Swim some leisure laps for 5-10 minutes.

Maintaining Safety in Swimming

• Consider safety in swimming
• Learn swimming and water safety skills.
• Swim with adult supervision or in areas with lifeguards.
• You must also swim in designated areas only.
• Swim with others or with a buddy.
• As much as possible, avoid swimming alone.
• Obey all safety signs and warning flags.
• Avoid alcohol use.
• Drunk people normally have no body balance and coordination.
• Alcohol in the body also impairs judgment and affects one's swimming skills.
• Know weather and water conditions, especially in natural bodies of water. Water behavior is unpredictable but you can keep safe if you at least know the water condition.
• Learn first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• If possible, wear a life jacket, especially when swimming (or boating) in natural bodies of water.
• If someone is drowning, throw a flotation device to that person or use a pole that he or she can reach for support.
• As much as possible, avoid jumping into the water to rescue the person if you are not a good or strong swimmer.

Basics of Swimming

• Swimming strokes are different ways to move through water.
• They get a swimmer from one place to another with varying speed and difficulty.
• The more styles a swimmer knows, the better they can navigate different aquatic environments.

The 4 Competitive Swimming Strokes

• Even if you haven't done any competitive swimming, you might have heard of the four main types of swimming strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

• Each stroke has its unique approach, moving and using the arms, legs, and torso differently.

• Freestyle, also known as the front crawl, is the fastest stroke.

• Body rolls gently, one arm pulls out for a stroke.

• Backstroke uses the same principles as freestyle but on the back. This type of swimming is the only stroke not performed facing downward.

• Breaststroke is performed face-down; pull, breathe, kick, glide.

• Swimmer mimics a frog.

• Butterfly requires coordination and strength.

• Swimmer pulls both arms down simultaneously, performing a dolphin kick.

Floating

• Floating is a skill. Humans naturally float.
• Goal: move from vertical to horizontal.

Kick

• Kicking stabilizes and propels the body forward in the water.
• It adds balance and rhythm.

Basic Types of Kicks

• Flutter kick is typically used in freestyle; legs move alternately.
• Frog kick is typical of breaststroke; resembles frog movement.
• Dolphin kick involves legs and trunk movement.

Breathing in Swimming

• Proper breathing is essential.
• Poor breathing can halt or interrupt movements.

Test your knowledge of various water sports like snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and water aerobics. Learn about safety tips including rescue techniques and the dangers of alcohol consumption before swimming. Explore the differences between snorkeling and scuba diving.