Swimming provides a total-body workout. This is particularly good for cardio-respiratory health, overall muscular endurance, posture and flexibility. With regular swimming you become fitter and are able to swim longer. Your resting heart rate and respiratory rate will be reduced, making blood flow to the heart and lungs more efficient.

If you would like to get into swimming and are not sure where to start then let us help. We can put you in touch with the right person and the right club.

For more information contact:

Sports centres and swimming pools in Kirklees.
 www.kirkleesactive.co.uk

Swimming clubs and activities.
Swimming - Local organisations

Photo from the
Kirklees Image Archive

Kirklees Image Archive

The earliest recording of swimming dates back to the Stone Age and was recorded on paintings from around 6,000 years ago. However, England is thought to be the first country to develop swimming as a competitive sport.

Swimming competitions were already being held in London by 1837, organized by the National Swimming Society. As the sport grew in popularity many swimming pools were built and clubs formed. When the governing body, the Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain, was founded in 1880, it had more than 300 member clubs.

The first modern Olympic Games had only four swimming events, and it excluded women. Women's swimming made its debut at the 1912 Olympic Games.