Does swimming require talent or no talent?

Question

Does swimming require any talent or no talent(just practice alot)? Why or why not?

Answer 1

A number of swimming styles have been developed based on the implementation of some or all of the following principles:
The torso and the legs should be kept as parallel as possible to the surface of the water. Dropped legs or a slanted torso dramatically increase drag. The hand should be extended forward of the head as much as possible. This increases the average length at the water-line, substantially increasing speed.

The time spent on the side should be maximized because the torso is narrower front-to-back than side-to-side on most swimmers. This reduces the frontal cross-section, reducing drag further, and also increasing the ratio between the body's water-line-length and width. Similar improvements are possible by orienting the narrowest direction of head, hands, legs and arms into the water. The torso is by far the most critical. The motion of the hand, arm, and leg from the back to the front should be in the air for as much as possible, and in the water, oriented as perfectly as possible, because the returning appendage has to move at least twice as fast as the swimmer, and in the water generates eight times the drag (which increases with the cube of the speed) of an equal amount of torso frontal area.

The basic "catch" of the water is not nearly as critical as the above items. Most swimmers simply grab water with their hand flat, or the fingers slightly spread, and then draw it smoothly down their body. None of the above techniques require improved strength. With strength training, the hands and feet can be extended further into the water, gaining more propulsion. For beginners, increased strength brings only small improvements if the above strategies (minimising drag and lengthening water-line) are not optimal.

Answer 2

Swimming is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned with a high degree of competence and efficiency. That said, there are people who go beyond that level, and these are the people who have an inherant talent that gives them the extra edge that puts them on international podiums. So the answer to your question is good swimming doesn't require talent, only a lot of practice, but world class swimming requires both talent AND a lot of practice.

Answer 3

Depends on what exactly you are asking.
Swimming in general requires no talent. You just have to be open about swimming in the water and not be afraid. However, competitive swimming requires a semblance of talent and work ethic to keep practicing over and over again. You don't need much talent just be able to know how to do the four main strokes and practice a lot and you'll get it down.

Answer 4

Any physical activity requires talent. How would you be able to get good at swimming if you had no talent? Sure you could practice and practice but you wouldn't get anywhere without talent. Practicing is pretty much a way of building your talent.

Answer 5

As a swimmer and an athlete who has tried em all I would say yes it takes talent. Why? Because to swim well you have to understand that you must swim a certain way. Just hacking at the water wont get you there. To be really good you have to have talent. I would bet your hearing. "Swimming takes no talent" from somebody who has no idea what the sport is about, has never tried it and or doesnt know squat about it. We often dont like what we dont under stand.

Answer 6

Swimming takes no talent at all...just practice.

Answer 7

For me, Swimming requires patience in practising as so to aid in creating a better talent of oneself. You'll swallow water a few times, but everything will be just fine. Just be determined and don't give up.

Answer 8

If you have a desire to swim, you can do it. I wouldn't say it is so much talent, as it is an ability to relax. If you can relax, you can swim. If you relax, you will float, then all you have to do is move your arms to get moving. Of course there are many different ways to swim, but you will develop your own style quickly. Have fun with it