The Best Swimming Strokes for Beginners

Introduction

Learning to swim opens up a world of fitness, fun, and safety. As a beginner, it can be challenging to know where to start—especially when there are multiple strokes to choose from. While each stroke has its unique rhythm and purpose, some are more beginner-friendly than others. In this guide, we’ll break down the best swimming strokes for new swimmers, explain what makes them accessible, and help you decide which one to learn first based on your comfort level and goals.

Why Stroke Selection Matters for Beginners

Not all swimming strokes are equally easy to learn. Some require greater coordination, breath control, or strength. As a beginner, you’ll want to start with strokes that:

• Allow you to breathe easily

• Help you stay balanced and relaxed

• Provide forward movement with minimal complexity

• Support gradual confidence-building

Learning a basic stroke first creates a strong foundation for more advanced techniques later on.

1. Breaststroke

Breaststroke is often considered the most beginner-friendly swimming stroke.

▶ Why It’s Great for Beginners

• Natural breathing rhythm: You lift your head above the water each stroke

• Slow and controlled pace makes it easier to learn

• Keeps your face above water longer than other strokes

• Encourages a calm and steady movement pattern

▶ What to Expect
You move both arms in a circular motion while performing a frog-like kick with your legs. After each pull and kick, you glide forward before repeating the cycle. Breaststroke helps build timing, balance, and confidence in the water.

Best for: Nervous swimmers, people learning water comfort, and those wanting a slow, steady style.

2. Freestyle (Front Crawl)

Freestyle is the most common and fastest stroke used in swimming, making it an excellent second step for beginners ready for a challenge.

▶ Why It’s Great for Beginners

• Efficient and effective for building endurance

• Easy to practice with or without breath control

• Versatile for fitness, leisure, or competition

• Builds confidence and comfort in deeper water

▶ What to Expect
Freestyle involves alternating arm strokes, flutter kicks, and side breathing. While the breathing technique can be tricky at first, mastering it makes freestyle one of the most useful strokes to learn.

Best for: Beginners ready to improve stamina, technique, and speed

3. Backstroke

Backstroke is unique in that it’s performed on your back—making breathing much easier.

▶ Why It’s Great for Beginners

• Face stays above water, reducing anxiety about breathing

• Good for practicing body alignment and floatation

• Teaches balance and rhythm in a relaxed position

▶ What to Expect
You’ll perform alternating arm movements while flutter kicking on your back. It requires some coordination, but many beginners enjoy the natural breathing and gentle rhythm.

Best for: Swimmers comfortable floating on their back or looking for a low-stress stroke

4. Elementary Backstroke

This simple stroke is a relaxed version of backstroke and is especially good for beginners and water safety.

▶ Why It’s Great for Beginners

• Very easy to learn and remember

• Face remains out of the water

• Doesn’t require coordination of breathing and arm rotation

• Can be used for resting while still moving forward

▶ What to Expect
You move your arms out and back like making a snow angel while performing a basic frog kick. It’s slow but effective, especially in recreational or survival swimming.

Best for: Beginners needing a calm, confidence-building stroke or resting movement

5. Sidestroke (Optional for Beginners)

Sidestroke is not typically taught first but can be very useful for certain situations.

▶ Why It’s Helpful

• Good for lifesaving or swimming with minimal effort

• One side of the body faces downward; the other upward

• Allows you to swim while carrying an object or assisting someone

▶ What to Expect
You lie on your side, scissor-kick your legs, and alternate arm pulls while keeping your head above the water. Though less common, it’s worth learning once you’ve mastered basic strokes.

 Best for: Swimmers interested in water safety or lifeguard training

Which Stroke Should You Learn First?

For most beginners:

• Start with breaststroke or elementary backstroke to build comfort and control

• Move on to freestyle when you’re ready to learn breathing coordination and endurance

• Add backstroke when you’re confident with balance and floating

• Consider sidestroke later for variety and life-saving skills

Your ideal starting point depends on your comfort in the water, body position preferences, and personal goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—choose the stroke that makes you feel safe and confident.

Tips for Learning Any Stroke

• Practice in shallow water before moving deeper

• Focus on one part of the stroke at a time (e.g., kick or arm movement)

• Use swim aids like kickboards or fins if needed

• Watch video tutorials or work with an instructor

• Take your time and rest often—learning is a process

• Celebrate progress, even in small steps

Conclusion

Learning to swim is a journey, and choosing the right stroke to start with can make a big difference in your experience. Breaststroke and elementary backstroke are ideal for building initial comfort and water awareness. As your confidence grows, adding freestyle and backstroke will expand your skills and endurance. Remember, you don’t need to learn everything at once. Take it one stroke at a time, practice consistently, and enjoy the process of becoming a more confident swimmer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which swimming stroke is the easiest for beginners?
   Breaststroke and elementary backstroke are generally the easiest due to their natural breathing patterns and slower pace.

2. How long does it take to learn a stroke?
   With regular practice, most beginners can learn the basics of a stroke within a few weeks to a couple of months.

3. Should I learn all strokes at once?
   No. It’s better to focus on one stroke at a time until you feel confident, then move on to the next.

4. Is freestyle too hard for beginners?
   Not at all—but it does take time to master breathing. It’s a great second stroke after building basic water comfort.

5. Do I need to learn butterfly stroke as a beginner?
   No. Butterfly is the most advanced stroke and is usually taught after mastering the other strokes.