Swimming with Lifeguard Certificate obviously has its four main strokes: Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. Some are swum moving both arms together. Some are swum moving each arm separately. But there are many more distinctions and commonalities within the strokes, as well as the individuals that swim them.



Here, we break down each of the strokes.

Breaststroke(rs)

Might as well start with the first invented stroke.

Unique Features

Commonly swum by “non-swimmers” at pools since there are more breathing chances when you pick your head above the water

You rise highest out of the water (whole upper body)

Holding a tight line is crucial

No repeated dolphin kicks off the walls, instead replaced by a pullout 

Kick is what provides the forward propulsion, rather than the pull

Challenges

Widely considered the hardest stroke purely for its hard-to-master timing

Quite unnatural frog-like human movement causes knee problems, with some swimmers having to take time out of the pool as a result

Unable to kick with normal fins on

The Bright Side

Longer recovery time between cycles

Swimmer always at the back of the lane on best-stroke sets can use their sharp, piercing kick to signal their fearful presence

Similarities to the Other Strokes

Butterfly – worthwhile glide & two-hand wall touch, slower stroke rate than backstroke and freestyle

(Butter)Fly(ers)

Peculiarly respected for their toughness, flyers develop an iron heart. 

Unique Features

Occupy a full lane width with their outstretched arms

One-arm stroke is expected when someone comes down the lane past you, but is not as common now due to COVID-19 obliging teams to switch to one-way lanes

Anyone will surely think of Michael Phelps if you say you swim butterfly

  • Challenges
  • Hate best-stroke sets

Mass fatigue to shoulder muscles, forcing their arms forward over the water too many times

  • The Bright Side
  • Gain strong shoulder, arm, and abdominal muscles
  • Earn respect by everyone from being able to power through the pain

Backstroke(rs)

The only stroke not swum on your stomach.

  • Unique Features
  • Constant air access

Ironically hyperventilate at meets due to not really having a set breathing pattern 

Challenges

Practice outdoors when sunny causes the sun’s glaring rays to blind your eyes, rendering it near impossible to swim straight

200 backstrokers truly know what dispair feels like when the race is nearing conclusion but the wall seems an eternity away, and your legs are comparable to sinking ships

  • Bright Side
  • Strong leg muscles

Can pull on the lane line to propel you forward if you’re tired (only in practice) 

Everyone can “become” a backstroker on best stroke sets, no freestyle, because you can float on your back and breathe with Online Lifeguard Recertification USA.



Similarities to the Other Strokes

Freestyle – Same flip turn, but a flag count to determine when to flip onto your stomach and turn

  • Freestyle – More body rotation than breaststroke and butterfly
  • Sprint Freestyle(rs)
  • Speedy.

Unique Features

Aggressive and detail-oriented since every little mistake wastes valuable time

  • Prioritizes kicking over pulling, opposing distance freestyle
  • Challenges
  • Fatigue quicker due to faster lactic acid buildup
  • Go out too fast sometimes on longer events
  • The Bright Side
  • Participate in more relays, meaning more fun and team bonding 
  • Walls are your friends
  • Similarities to the Other Strokes
  • Butterfly – Possibly not breathing for a few strokes

Backstroke – Pull on the feet of the person in front to mess with them or signal they want to overtake.