Covering a time of great social and technological change, this history traces the development of the four classic aquatic disciplines of competitive swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo, with its main focus on racing. Working from the beginnings of municipal recreational swimming, the book fully explores the links between swimming and other aspects of English life society including class, education, gender, municipal governance, sexuality and the Victorian invention of the sports amateur-professional divide. Uniquely focused on swimming -often neglected in analytic sports histories- this is the first study of its kind and will be an important landmark in the establishment of swimming history as a topic of scholarly investigation. This book was previously published as a special issue of the International Journal of the History of Sport.

Well-travelled divers all acknowledge that the best diving in the world is found in the warm waters of tropical Asia. No other region on earth presents such a rich variety of marine life, and none can boast as many different types of dive sites: tiny, isolated atolls, World War II wrecks draped in beautiful soft corals, shallow, bommie-filled fringing reefs and pinnacles, all swarming with fish and vibrant color. Diving in Southeast Asia is a comprehensive diving guide covering Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. It presents in great detail the very best dive sites in the tropical western Pacific. Our seasoned diver-authors have an aggregate half-century of experience exploring these waters, and each site receives thorough coverage, including detailed maps, color photos, and a full description of access, conditions, and facilities. This Southeast Asia diving guide features: Practicalities: Detailed travel information for every budget, including accommodations, transportation, prices, seasons, and dive operators. Information: Local history, diving lore, site conditions, and more than 50 maps. Photography: More than 100 color photographs by top photographers.

Go Simple, Go Solo, Go Now In 1958, while flying from one island to another, Audrey Sutherland sees the remote and roadless northeast side of Molokai, with its spectacular sea cliffs and waterfalls. Always an adventurer, she decides that she must find a way to explore this then inaccessible area. After much study, she determines that the best way for her to navigate these treacherous sea walls is to swim while towing an inflatable kayak. This is the story of fulfilling her dream, of planning then implementing, of launching and advancing, of retreating and reconnoitering, of challenge and success. This is the story of the trip that convinced her that personal growth comes when one goes simple, goes solo, goes now.

Leisel Jones is rightly regarded as one of the greatest breaststrokers ever. At just fifteen, she won two silver medals at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000; she went on to win gold at Athens and Beijing, and at London 2012 became the first Australian swimmer to compete at four Olympics. For the first time, Leisel candidly describes what it's like to be thrust into the limelight so young. She reveals the constant pressure she was under - from coaches, from the media and from herself - to be perfect. Despite the highs of her swimming stardom, she suffered depression, and at one time planned to take her own life. In London, criticised in the media for her weight, and appalled by the bulling and dysfunction in the Australian swim team, Leisel nevertheless handled herself with great composure. She has emerged with maturity and good humour, having finally learnt how to be herself and live with confidence. Body Lengths is the inspiring story of an Australian sporting hero, told with humour, optimism and style.

The Science of Sport - Swimming is a complete guide for swimming training through the application of physiological, biomechanical, psychological, strength and conditioning, nutritional and injury management methods that can be used to optimize performance. Practical examples are included on the components of swimming conditioning, technical and mental training, and how they relate to the various swimming speciality events. The text provides details on mental and strength conditioning training exercises and racing day preparation methods for various abilities, including speciality swimmers who seek performance improvement constantly. The book includes contributions from leading coaches and sport scientists, sport psychologists, sports medical practitioners and Olympic, world and national champion swimmers.

The recorded history of the diving industry has been fundamentally corrupted over the past 150 years. The result is a complete misunderstanding of how it all began. Who invented the diving helmet? Refer to any encyclopaedia or history book and the answer you will find will almost certainly be wrong. The First Treasure Divers reveals the true and fascinating story. It blows away the myths and deliberate misinformation that have crept into the historical record. Thanks to the painstaking research the author has carried out over the past 25 years, the falsehoods are peeled away to unveil the true, definitive account. It follows the lives of two brothers as they struggle to turn their newly-invented diving helmet to advantage and how they wrestle with apathetic and even hostile authorities for recognition of their invention. It thunders through sunken treasure adventures to the heroism and horrors of the Crimean War. The impact of the invention of the diving helmet is immense. In the 180 years since the Deane brothers carried out the first ever commercial helmet dive off the Isle of Wight on the south coast of England, the diving business has expanded to a global industry with an annual turnover in excess of $3,000,000,000. From another point of view, the life-support technology developed in the diving industry provided the knowledge for keeping the pioneering, high altitude pilots alive, which in turn evolved into the life-support systems of the astronauts who walked on the moon.

See how to achieve stronger starts, more explosive turns, and faster times "Swimming Anatomy" will show you how to improve your performance by increasing muscle strength and optimizing the efficiency of every stroke.

"Swimming Anatomy" includes 74 of the most effective swimming exercises, each with step-by-step descriptions and full-color anatomical illustrations highlighting the primary muscles in action.

"Swimming Anatomy" goes beyond exercises by placing you on the starting block, in the water, and into the throes of competition. Illustrations of the active muscles for starts, turns, and the four competitive strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke) show you how each exercise is fundamentally linked to swimming performance.

You'll also learn how exercises can be modified to target specific areas, improve your form in the water, and minimize common swimming injuries. Best of all, you'll learn how to put it all together to develop a training program based on your individual needs and goals.

Whether you are training for a 50-meter freestyle race or the open-water stage of a triathlon, "Swimming Anatomy" will ensure you enter the water prepared to achieve every performance goal.

From more powerful strokes to quicker turns, propel yourself to improved times with "Complete Conditioning for Swimming."

This multidimensional training program uses fitness assessments to tailor strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises to each swimmer's individual needs.

Dave Salo, coach of Olympic medalists Rebecca Soni, Lenny Krayzelburg, Aaron Peirsol, Amanda Beard, and Jason Lezak, and Scott A. Riewald, performance specialist for the U.S. Olympic Committee, have teamed up to create a comprehensive program that provides you with the following tools to improve your times:

- Exercises and drills for each stroke

- Event-based workouts and programs

- Dryland training

- Tapering for peak performance

- Year-round conditioning plans

- Nutrition before, during, and after swim meets

In addition, the 80-minute DVD takes you to the pool and into the gym to demonstrate the drills and exercises used by the sport's elite. "Complete Conditioning for Swimming" is simply the best guide to preparing your body for competitive success.

The definitive guide to exploring and diving the Shipwrecks of the Cayman Islands. The spectacular natural beauty of the islands hides a treacherous coastline that has seen many ships founder. For the first time in print, there is an accurate account of around 140 of the best-known and identified shipwrecks. This guide relates to how and where these ships have been lost and also gives important information on how to identify details on the various types of sailing vessel that have plied these waters over the last 500 years. Packed with over 200 photographs and illustrations this book will undoubtedly be used as an authoritative reference on how to dive and snorkel the most popular of these artificial reefs.

Diving Equipment: Choice, maintenance and function is a guide to how diving gear works. It is completely independent of brands - focusing instead on the design, technology and practicality of the equipment options available for scuba and other types of diving. Former Head of Education at PADI Sweden Jonas Arvidsson details the choices that divers are faced with, and gives tips to help ensure your gear will last. If you want to better understand diving kit without having to dismantle it, then Diving Equipment - with its colourful illustrations and explanations of the hidden inner workings - is the answer. Although it is therefore of obvious benefit to newer divers, Diving Equipment will also be of interest to the experienced. Divemasters, instructors, those in need of a refresher and curious non-divers are all likely to find out things they did not previously know. This book covers a wide range of diving gear options including: accessories, BCDs, computers, cylinders, drysuits, fins, gauges, masks, rebreathers, regulators, sidemount, snorkels, stages, torches, weights, wetsuits, wings and more... Although many of the dives we make are in tropical regions, Diving Equipment has an international perspective. It covers a range of conditions; discusses laws and regulations in different parts of the world; suggests what to look out for and what to ask locals about. Anyone who asks technical questions will often be directed to have a look at equipment manufacturers' websites, but those have limited descriptions of how equipment really works. This book aims to plug the gap. Diving Equipment also includes some less common and older items for interest and historical comparison, and finishes with some speculation on what the future might bring.

Documenting his legendary performances at the 1972 Olympics--winning seven gold medals while breaking seven world records--this is the first biography to chronicle the amazing life story of renowned athlete Mark Spitz. Every aspect of his roller-coaster career is recorded, from an age-group prodigy and four-medal "flop" at the 1968 Olympics to an outstanding collegiate career at Indiana University and a gold-medal haul in 1972 followed by lucrative endorsements and an unsuccessful stint in entertainment. Personal stories are also included such as the role Spitz's father played in his career, stormy relationships with coaches and teammates, experiences as a Jewish athlete amidst anti-Semitism and the Munich massacre, and his impact on the commercialization of swimming. Career insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Spitz and his competitors shed light on his complicated personality and round out the details of this swimming icon's story for old and new fans alike.

For three decades, David Wright has coached international swimmers who began their swimming careers in his Learn to Swim program, and this book is based on his experience guiding these swimmers. Wright saw many pitfalls that resulted in the sport losing 80% of its participants in their early teenage years-pitfalls that resulted in swimmers ending their careers broken and disillusioned. Shaping Successful Junior Swimmers examines the nature of the sport's early dropout rate and proposes steps to correct the problem. It discusses qualities that should be present in good conditioning and speed training programs as well as why these qualities encourage continued participation and championship performance. Also included are danger signs of poor programs that cause early dropout. In addition to important training factors are the decisions and behavior outside the pool that coaches, parents, administrators, and national federations can make and do to extend and improve every swimmer's involvement in the sport. Swimming champions are the product of good care in and out of the pool, and using this book provides the means for that good care.

To swim better, we have to swim more efficiently. While good technique is the foundation of efficient swimming, it is difficult to achieve by simply swimming lap after lap. Ongoing stroke problems leave many people feeling unrewarded. Therefore, swimming drills are a fundamental and ongoing element of practice at all levels of the sport. Each drill is explained step by step. Drill Feedback Charts are included to help swimmers identify problems and make modifications. Underwater and surface photographs give swimmers optimal images to emulate as they practice. 100 More Swimming Drills is an excellent resource for coaches and swimmers at any level in the quest for better swimming. 100 More Swimming Drills follows the successful Strength Training for Faster Swimming published in 2011, the three book series Technique Swim Workouts, The 100 Best Swimming Drills published in 2007, and Masters Swimming - A Manual published in 2006.

Discover 120 of the most beautiful places to swim, from the Mediterranean coastline of Croatia to the mesmerising mountain landscapes of Slovenia. Including secret coves, sea caves, rock arches, waterfall pools, aquamarine canyons and hidden lakes - many never before published. Lavishly illustrated, with 200 photos and 120 maps. The perfect guide for families on holidays or explorers looking for their next adventure.

Discover over 150 magical places to swim and explore in Spain. With stunning photography this book reveals the best crystal mountain lakes, secluded lake-side beaches, and turquoise pools hidden deep in waterfall-filled gorges. With recommendations for places to camp and eat this is all you need to take you off the beaten track.

The best-selling Wild Swimming series returns to France for an expanded guide to best places to cool off this summer, including new coverage of Central and Northern France. Over 750 locations, including 300 new locations in Normandy, Ile, Champagne, Burgundy, Centre, Limousin, Auvergne and Aquitaine. Dive into the grand cascades of Auvergne, Jura and the Alps Dip in the emerald-green plunge pools and gorges of Provence Swim beneath the great chateaux of the Loire and Dordogne. Discover the unspoilt crater lakes of the Massif Central Soak in secluded hot springs in the woodlands of the Pyrenees. Bathe, picnic and canoe at willow dappled river beaches in Burgundy, Champagne & Limousin Combining dazzling photos, engaging writing and all the practical information you'll need, from maps, directions, grid references and walk-in times to recommendations for canoe trips, bike rides, riverside campsites and lakeshore restaurants.

For more than a decade, top coaches have turned to one resource time and time again. Collecting the wisdom, insights, and advice from the sport's legendary instructors, " The Swim Coaching Bible" immediately established its place in the libraries of swim coaches around the globe.

Coaches, it's time to make room alongside that classic for a new resource "The Swim Coaching Bible, Volume II," picks up where the original left off, providing more instruction, guidance, and expertise on every aspect of the sport.

Inside, you'll learn the secrets, strategies, and philosophies of 27 of today's most successful coaches, including these legendary leaders:

- Jack Bauerle

- George Block

- Mike Bottom

- Bob Bowman

- Sid Cassidy

- John Urbancheck

- Bill Rose

- Vern Gambetta

- David Durden

- Brett Hawke

- Gregg Troy

- John Leonard

- Dick Shoulberg

- David Marsh

- Teri McKeever

- Bill Sweetenham

From developing swimmers to building a winning program, teaching the nuances and refining stroke techniques to applying the latest research to training and conditioning programs, it's all here.

Endorsed by the World Swimming Coaches Association, this new collection is another landmark work in competitive swimming. If you coach the sport or want a competitive edge, "The Swim Coaching Bible, Volume II," is a must-own.