Swim better, swim faster

Author Paul Mason had worked with swimmers of most levels, ranging from national champions to untrained enthusiasts who couldn't understand why they couldn't go any faster.

There are lots of swimmers out there who would like to improve, but don't really know how to progress from splashing up and down to gliding through the water.

Improve Your Swimming explains seven simple things you can do to become a better swimmer. 1 Streamlining How to reduce the resistance you present to the water. 2 Breathing Learn to time when to take a breath, and how much breath to take on. 3 Body position This section looks at head angle, relative position of the chest and hips, body roll, and the energy-sapping evils of twist. 4 Flexibility This section will include information on the kind of flexibility that's crucial for swimming, plus exercises to improve flexibility. 5 Hold on the water This chapter explains hand entry into the water, hand shape, the course your hands might trace through the water, arm shape, exit and recovery 6 Kicking A short section on kicking technique, which has a significant effect on your body position. 7 Stroke and rhythm This chapter focuses on putting it all together to develop a smooth, fast, easy stroke.