Fundamentals
This is the body position swimmers aim to maintain to reduce drag in freestyle.
Horizontal / streamlined / neutral head position
The phase of pull that occurs immediately after the hand enters the water and extends forwards.
The catch
This swimmer is the most decorated female swimmer in history, the world record holder in both LC and SC 800 and 1500 FR, and owns 19 of the 20 fastest times ever recorded in the women's 1500 FR.
Katie Ledecky
Who is/are Canada's most decorated Olympian(s)?
Penny Oleksiak and Andre De Grasse
This type of kick is used in freestyle to provide propulsion and maintain body balance.
Flutter kick
An effective pull path in freestyle should follow this direction.
Straight backwards / straight line
This swimmer is the current world record holder in the women's 400 freestyle.
Summer McIntosh
This open water distance is considered to be the "marathon" of swimming.
The 10K
This type of breathing pattern helps swimmers maintain a balanced stroke by breathing to both sides.
Bilateral breathing / 3-cycle breathing
In a high-elbow catch, the elbow stays high while this part of the arm drops to initiate the pull.
The forearm
In 2022, this swimmer became the first male swimmer in 49 years to win the 100 and 200 FR at the same World Championships.
David Popovici
Most of Canada's gold medals won at the Olympics throughout history have come from this sport.
Ice hockey
This part of the body generates the most power in proper flutter kick.
The hips
In an efficient freestyle, body rotation helps facilitate this part of the stroke.
The high-elbow catch / propulsive phase of the pull
This country holds the current world record in the men's LC 4 x 100 relay, a record that has stood almost 16 years.
United States
Katie Ledecky has been undefeated in the 800 FR for this many years.
13 years
Having stiff ankles in freestyle kick reduces power. Swimmers should aim for this type of ankle flexibility instead.
Ankles loose and relaxed (Plantar Flexion)
When a swimmer over-rotates in freestyle, it can lead to this common mistake in their hand entry.
Cross-over arm entry / entering at 12 o'clock
This swimmer was the first man under 20 seconds in the SC 50 FR, holding the current world record for the event with a time of 19.90.
Jordan Crooks
This swimmer was the youngest athlete competing at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. (Name and age).
Yu Zidi - 12 years old