Can shorter people swim as well as taller people?

Question

I heard that being tall helps you in competitive swimming but am not sure that that is true.

Answer 1

I don't see why not that people of all statures can't swim well. Swimming takes practice, has a lot to do with body strength, and your ability to breathe properly.

Answer 2

In competitive swimming, yes, being tall does give you an advantage. Since you are horizontal in the water. Compare two people the same swim speed but one is 5'2" compared to 5'9". Both are female. The 5'9" person is most likely going to finish first. But in a longer distance event, the smaller person could have a chance because it's a long event and it depends more on endurance. Sprint, usually I say the taller person has got the race. But it all depends on talent. But it is said that most Olympian level swimmers are above average height. Just don't give up!

Answer 3

i personally think yes shorter people can swim as well as taller people. yes it does have to do with your size,but it also matters on how fast you go. i have a 2 friends one is tall the other is short. the shorter one is better at BASKETBALL!!!!! And yes being tall may help you in competitive swimming

Answer 4

Being tall is an advantage in swimming, but it isn't everything. I'm only 5'1" and hold our school's record in the 50 free.
Another girl on my team is the same height as I am and she swims for the national team as well as our high school team. Her time in the 500 is 5:39, way faster than any of our guys can swim it, including our fastest guy who is 6'5"

Answer 5

Hey, i am a swimmer also and about 6'2". In my opinion being taller definitely helps because you have a further reach and longer limbs which help overall. I know a lot of kids that are significantly shorter and slower but this isn't to say it is a direct relationship. There are also plenty of kids that are a lot shorter than me but also faster simply because they have more muscle mass. I hope this helps but there isn't really a straight answer.

Answer 6

Shorter people can swim just as well as taller people. I am 5ft and I use to be able beat most people in my club who were county level and they were no smaller that 5ft3.
Taller people can get more problems and smaller people are more compact and is easier for them. Though taller people will have a longer stroke but still but don't mean smaller people can't as well.

Answer 7

Yes, they can, but not as well as fat people. The fatter you are the more bouyant. So see, there's some advantages to being fat! When in the military, I tried to teach this black guy how to swim. This guy was like Bruce Lee and had like a 1% body fat and the rest solid muscle! Had the physique of a god! Yet, the poor guy sank like a stone in the water. Eventually, both of us gave up!

Answer 8

Of course, If they ere not so good in swimming they will be slowler than a taller person but If they are vey good in swimming they can also be faster than a taller person.
Just a question... is correct to use "in swimming" I´m learning English..

Answer 9

Yeah it helps because you usually have stronger leg and arm muscles naturally. Also, you have longer legs and arms and bigger feet (that act like flippers to get through water). Shorter people can also swim well because there is not as much body to split through the water. The shorter you are, the faster you will get through the water without using your own strength.

Answer 10

Actually it doesn't really matter because shorter people can be more well trained than taller people... it depends on the people so I say 50% for taller and 50% for shorter.

Answer 11

Oh, now that's a myth.
I'm 5'2" and I've been swimming competitively for ten years. Don't let your height discourage you. You can be a swimmer. Just make sure you work out your arms and your legs equally.