Swimming and diving Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review“If you are a diver, this book will add to the list of places you want to explore for sure. My husband and my bank account may not be pleased I have this to consult and to dream over but I am glad I can revisit the pages, at least until I can dive the actual sites.”—BookNAround “Well, this book is more about scuba diving than snorkeling, but it’s not JUST for divers. The pictures inside are as glorious as you’d imagine from National Geographic…it made me feel wanderlust to visit all these places…Talk about a bucket list for travel!” –Jennifer – Tar Heel Reader “Are you wondering where to #dive next? I want to go to every site in this book that I have not been to yet and go back to the ones I have. I might sleep with this book under my pillow!” –Instagram: @wesaidgotravel “So you don’t have to be a diver to appreciate a book like this. The beautiful photos are impressive but the book also opened my eyes to many places I’ve never heard of… This was a great book to pore over and dream up travel plans with.” –Real Life Reading “I swear that I’m going to take up diving because of this book.” –The Wayfaring Voyager “Do you need a bucket list of breathtaking dive sites to visit? Do you need some new reading material? Look no further!!!” –Instagram: @vibesandhorizons “Now National Geographic is giving all of us a glimpse into this aquatic wonderland in its breathtaking new book…So whether you have your scuba gear already packed and ready to go, simply love spectacular photography of nature’s eye candy, or have been contemplating investing in scuba lessons before taking your next vacation…this is better than escapist fiction, this volume provides authentic life-affirming real-world beauty that makes us appreciate this rock we call home all over again.” –Jathan & Heather “This book, quite simply, takes my breath away.” –Instagram: @shereadswithcats“Explore 100 breathtaking scuba diving sites across 60 countries and 6 continents through stunning National Geographic photography, expert tips, and cutting-edge travel advice.” –Insider

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Book SynopsisFrom Okinawa to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, find the ultimate travel itineraries for above and below water in this inspiring and comprehensive guide to the worlds 50 best scuba diving destinations.In this illuminating compendium, National Geographic travel expert Carrie Miller and dive master Christian Taylor reveal the 50 top destinations for both scuba divers and their vacation buddies. The result of a yearlong research journey, this beautifully illustrated guide offers unique itineraries with a wide range of options for divers of various levels, snorkelers, or landlubbers, providing the perfect vacation to satisfy everyone on your trip. Featuring tips on what to do, what to see, and where to be on land and at sea, each location includes top-rate shared experiences from unique hiking adventures to day-trip opportunities and sailboat tours, as well as solo excursions for when divers and land-based travellers choose to go their own ways. From the white sand beaches o

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Book SynopsisEven though swimming is the closest thing to a perfect exercise you can name, too few people experience its full benefits. That''s because most find themselves fighting to stay afloat, struggling for air, and feeling exhausted after just a lap or two, all of which makes this perfect exercise frustrating, laborious, and complicated. For the past fifteen years, veteran swim coach Terry Laughlin has been teaching adults how to swim better - and enjoy it more - by using his simple and original techniques. Laughlin turns traditional swimming beliefs inside out as he explains that it''s technique - not athletic ability - that makes a strong swimmer. Laughlin teaches ''Fishlike Swimming,'' focusing on slipping through the water rather than using muscle to overpower it. The key is working with the water, not against it - learning to swim ever faster and farther without losing a sense of flow, grace, economy, and balance.Trade ReviewEddie Reese 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 United States Olympic Coach and Head Coach, University of Texas (six-time NCAA champions) The most valuable service a good coach provides is to sharpen your technique, not make you work harder. Terry Laughlin has done an outstanding job of simplifying that complex job, providing practical tools that will work for any coach or teacher.David Marsh 1996, 2000, and 2004 United States Olympic Coach and Head Coach, Auburn University (2003 NCAA Men's and Women's champions) Total Immersion can help anyone learn to be a better swimmer, regardless of ability. Terry Laughlin makes an improved stroke simple for the novice, yet I've seen his methods work for elite swimmers, too.

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Book SynopsisIncredible individual, incredible book, incredible story.' CHRIS HEMSWORTHA hero who is as humble as he is resilient testament to a never give up spirit!' BEAR GRYLLSFrom reading this book, the message that comes shining through is this: you can achieve anything.' ANT MIDDLETONBestselling author and award-winning adventurer Ross Edgley has been studyingthe art of resiliencefor years, applying all he has learned to become the first person in history to swim around Great Britain, breaking multiple world records. Now Ross focuses on mental strength, stoicism and the training needed to create an unbreakable body.Ross Edgley famously ran a marathon pulling a 1.4-tonne car and climbed a rope the height of Everest (8,848m), after living withYamabushi warrior monks in Japan and partaking in Shamanic pain rituals with fire ants in the Amazon jungle.On his epic 1,780-mile journey around Great Britain, which lasted 157 days, Ross swam through giant jellyfish, arctic storms, haunted' whirlpools anTrade Review‘Incredible individual, incredible book, incredible story.’Chris Hemsworth ‘A hero who is as humble as he is resilient… testament to a “never give up” spirit!’Bear Grylls ‘From reading this book, the message that comes shining through is this: you can achieve anything.’Ant Middleton

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Book SynopsisDuring the last few years technical diving has become much more popular and has moved into mainstream diving. As a result a significant number of recreational divers are moving towards technical diving. Despite this, there are still many misconceptions about what technical diving actually means and what is involved. Introduction to Technical Diving - An Introduction by Mark Powell gives a straightforward overview of technical diving and dispels many of the myths surrounding this area. It explores what is meant by technical diving, what is involved, the risks that arise and how you can move towards this type of diving. Section one describes technical diving in general and illustrates some of the differences between technical and recreational diving as well as explaining some of the things that recreational divers can learn from technical divers. Section two explains some of the ideas behind this form of diving. It defines exactly what we mean by technical diving as well as why it has become so popular. This section then explains how to make a start in technical diving and the type of divers who tend to get into technical diving. For these divers the second section then goes on to explain what to expect from a technical diving course. Finally this section discusses how accident analysis has been used to shape some of the concepts in technical diving as well as some of the mental aspects of this type of diving. The third section then goes on give an overview of technical diving equipment and explains why this is different to the equipment used in recreational diving. There are many different opinions about technical diving equipment and this section of the book lays out the advantages and disadvantages of the various options so that divers can make an informed decision about their equipment choices. Topics such as twinset configuration, Hogarthian gear configuration and choice of stage cylinders are all covered for the open circuit diver. The fourth section covers the various skills required for technical diving are discussed in detail including buoyancy control, trim, tram diving, problem shutdown and valve shutdowns. Section five covers the issues involved in rebreather diving and the various choices available to divers looking to switch to a rebreather. Section six discusses the various aspects of technical dive planning including decompression planning, dealing with narcosis, avoiding oxygen toxicity and gas planning. Finally this section covers some of the various aspects of planning for specific situations such as wreck, cave penetration and mixed gas expedition diving. The book is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about technical diving. Whether you are looking to take a technical diving course, are looking to improve your skills, or simply want to find out more about what's involved then this book will provide a comprehensive overview. Even those divers who are not tempted to venture into this area of the sport can benefit from this book as it also discusses what lessons can be learnt from technical diving in order to improve normal recreational diving.

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Book SynopsisThe exhilarating true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel, and inspire a “wave of confidence and emancipation” for women in sports (Parade).By age twenty, at the height of the Jazz Age, Trudy Ederle was the most accomplished swimmer in the world.Trade Review“Great storytelling. . .Stout’s moving book recovers the exhilarating story of a young girl who found her true self out in the water and paved the way for women in sports today." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Glenn Stout brings the women’s sports pioneer back to life with an engaging, deeply researched account.” — Sports Illustrated "A great summer read." — New Yorker “Stout adeptly traces the history of swimming and Ederle’s significance in it. Whether recounting the origins of modern strokes or the geological formation of the English Channel, the author is comprehensive in his research. His blow-by-blow accounts of Ederle’s two attempts to cross from Cape Gris-Nez, France to Dover, England, demonstrate his engaging style… saturated with thrills and melodrama. A compelling account of a woman who, though long forgotten, changed the way the world viewed swimming.” — Kirkus Reviews "Young Woman and the Sea is the story of Gertrude Ederle’s epic swim across the English Channel interwoven with a sweeping and glimmering history of swimming. These were the good old days when open water swimmers were sex symbols, pioneers of the sport, and leaders of social change. For anyone who loves the water, or has a big dream—this is the book to read!" — Lynne Cox, author of Swimming to Antarctica and Grayson "Too often, looking at America through its sports, and vice versa, results in a distorted view of both of them. In Glenn Stout's account of Trudy Ederle and the English Channel, we have a clear and honest mirror. Young Woman and the Sea is a first-rate piece of social history, and a tale told, well, swimmingly." — Charles P. Pierce, author of Idiot America and Moving the Chains

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Book SynopsisRoger Deakin, who died in 2006, was a writer, filmmaker and environmentalist of international renown. He was a founder member of Friends of the Earth, and co-founded Common Ground. He lived for thirty-eight years in a moated farmhouse in Suffolk. Waterlog, which was first published in 1999, became a word-of-mouth bestseller, and is now an established classic of the nature writing canon.Trade ReviewI jumped in with both feet and wanted to stay for more.Erudite, funky and passionate, a total delight * Independent on Sunday *Charmingly and elegantly written * Daily Telegraph *A delicious, cleansing, funny, wise and joyful book, so wonderfully full of energy and life. I loved itHighly entertaining...Waterlog is a book about a cold, wet subject written with a warmth and passion it surely deserves, but has rarely had before * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisTo 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.

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Book SynopsisBeginner, intermediate, advanced swimmer or coach, discover a remarkable new approach to freestyle swimming which will help you transform your technique become a better swimmer.Trade Review“Pitched at the intermediate and above swimmer, as well as their coaches, the book is nothing if not comprehensive. Swim Smooth has always sought to make its training resources accessible and the book follows this easy approach. Language and tone is understated but its power is in its ability to communicate ideas with casual ease. It's an excellent compendium of work and sits well with Swim Smooth's website, DVDs and blogs.” (H20pen Magazine)Table of ContentsForeword; Preface; Getting Stated; Technique; Training; Open Water; Appendices: Swim Smooth drills, Swim Type Stroke Correction Processes, Training Sessions; Index

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Book SynopsisIan Thorpe''s achievements in the water are nothing short of phenomenal. He has won a record-holding 11 World Championship titles and ten Commonwealth Games gold medals. He has broken 22 world records and won five gold, three silver and one bronze Olympic medals. Having been under the spotlight since he was a young teenager, he retired from competitive swimming in 2006, but after five years he mounted a comeback for London 2012, and intense media attention followed. Thorpe is one of the world''s most famous sportsmen, but it is the way he has managed his success and his commitment to helping others that has earned him respect and admiration internationally. This is a man who has had highs and lows away from the pool, who has led an extraordinary life of an elite athlete that most of us will never know, and who had the courage to come back and stake his claim for the ultimate goal once more.

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Book Synopsis'This fascinating history of how, where and why humans swim...is perfect reading for those missing a splash-about during the lockdown.' GuardianFrom the first recorded dip into what's now the driest spot on earth to the recreational swimmers in your local pool, humans have been getting wet for 10,000 years. And for most of modern history, swimming has caused a ripple that touches us all.Splash! dives into Egypt, winds through ancient Greece and Rome, flows mostly underground through the Dark and Middle Ages (at least in Europe), and then re-emerges in the wake of the Renaissance before taking its final lap at the modern Olympic Games. Along the way, it kicks away the idea that swimming is just about speed or great feats of aquatic endurance, revealing how its history spans religion, fashion, architecture, public health, colonialism, segregation, sexism, sexiness, guts, glory and much, much more.As refreshing as jumping into a pool on a hot summer's day, Splash! sweeps across the whole of humankind's swimming history with an irrepressible enthusiasm that will make you crave your next dip.Trade ReviewThis fascinating history of how, where and why humans swim...is perfect reading for those missing a splash-about during the lockdown. -- Katy Guest * Guardian *deeply researched and written in an accessible and humorous style * Times Literary Supplement *Splash! is an incredible book - the most amazing stories of anything and everything you wanted to know about the world and culture of swimming and its history. I loved every page! -- Rowdy Gaines, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Olympic television swimming analystAn exuberant and sweeping cultural history of the sport and a thoughtful meditation on its possible origins and humankind's larger relationship to water itself...Means takes us on a breezy, easily readable journey across time and space to help us even to begin to understand why we took to the water in the first place and why we still insist on splashing about in it today. A great gift for the swimmer in you or in your life. -- Julie Checkoway, New York Times bestselling author of THE THREE-YEAR SWIM CLUBHoward Means' Splash! has raised the bar for the 'swimoir'! He takes masterful strokes through 10,000 years of the cultural and social history of swimming and makes the strongest case yet written on why everyone should swim. -- Bruce Wigo, former CEO & President, International Swimming Hall of FameTable of Contents1: Gods, Humans, and the Aquatic Ape 2: Swimming's Golden Age 3: First There Was Swimming; Then There Was None 4: Rediscovering a Lost Art 5: Swimming 2.0 6: A Frog in Every Tub 7: Diving in for Dollars and Pounds 8: Climb Every Mountain, Swim Every Sea 9: The Great Swimming Cover-Up 10: An Aussie Wrecking Ball Goes Rogue 11: Nylon, WWII, James Bond, and the G-String 12: Swimming Together, Swimming Alone 13: The Last Taboo 14: Growing Pains 15: The Fastest Swimmer Ever 16: Is Enough Ever Enough?

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Book Synopsis28 magical walks through some of Wales' most popular mountain, lowland and coastal areas (the Brecon Beacons, Gower and Wye Valley). Classic walks that link multiple swim stops. Beautiful photography, engaging stories and all the practical information you need: directions, route maps and downloadable instructions. The sixth in the best-selling series. * Ascend to south Wales' highest tarn and peak and descend through a valley of secret waterfalls * Walk through woodland gorges carved by cascades * Find secret low tide bays and giant rock pool lagoons * Follow bucolic river valleys dipping as you walk

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Book SynopsisThis is the second book in the series that contains 100 conditioning workouts that focus on building swimming capacity, with specific workouts for each of the competitive swimming strokes, and overall endurance. The workouts in this book use interval training, speed play, and stroke contrasting sets that total up to 3,500 yards/meters. Each workout is accompanied by a 'Tip of the Day' to help swimmers get the most benefit out of their conditioning routine through heart rate monitoring, stroke versatility and improved strength. Coach Blythe's Swim Workouts are appropriate for the self-coached swimmer and triathletes, as well as for coaches looking for workout content for the athletes they train. The presentation of the workouts in this book series is clear and comprehensive. Photos and diagrams are included to assist with training goals. Each book begins with a motivational introduction, and contains sections on planning an on-going swimming routine, and goal setting.

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Book SynopsisIn 2007, Adam, then a toaster salesman, was inspired by a film about a man attempting to change his life by swimming the English Channel to try to emulate the feat. After a year of rigorous training without a coach, Adam achieved his goal in 11 hours 35 minutes, despite a ruptured bicep tendon leading to medical advice to give up long-distance swimming. In 2011, after two operations and a change to his swimming style to take pressure off his injured shoulder, he became the first Briton to achieve a two-way crossing from Spain to Morocco and back. In the process, he broke the British record one way. Shortly afterwards, the Ocean's Seven challenge was born, a gruelling equivalent to the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge. At first it seemed that injury would prevent Adam from participating but, ignoring medical advice, he developed an innovative technique - the Ocean Walker stroke - that would enable him to continue with the ultimate aim of completing this seemingly impossible feat. Whether man would triumph over ocean, or fail in the attempt, forms the core of this extraordinary autobiography. Always intriguing, sometimes terrifying, and occasionally very funny, Adam's story is about sport in its truest form: rather than competitions between teams and individuals, it is about man against nature - and against his own failings and demons. In that, it is truly inspirational.

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Book Synopsis''The water slips over me like cool silk. The intimacy of touch uninhibited, rising around my legs, over my waist, up to my collarbone. When I throw back my head and relax, the lake runs into my ears. The sound of it is a muffled roar, the vibration of the body amplified by water, every sound felt as if in slow motion . . .'' Summer swimming . . . but Jessica Lee - Canadian, Chinese and British - swims through all four seasons and especially loves the winter. ''I long for the ice. The sharp cut of freezing water on my feet. The immeasurable black of the lake at its coldest. Swimming then means cold, and pain, and elation.''At the age of twenty-eight, Jessica Lee, who grew up in Canada and lived in London, finds herself in Berlin. Alone. Lonely, with lowered spirits thanks to some family history and a broken heart, she is there, ostensibly, to write a thesis. And though that is what she does daily, what increasingly occupies her is swimming. So she makes a decision that she Trade ReviewI loved this beautiful book. It's an attentive meditation on the pleasures and lessons of swimming in lakes, particularly in winter. Jessica Lee wears her bravery lightly and shares her knowledge with generosity. I recommend for outdoor swimmers or those who would like to be -- Amy Liptrot, author of The OutrunA brilliant debut . . . there is clarity and pleasure in the swim's afterglow * Times Literary Supplement *A sublime, philosophical slipping into the deep. Her book, Turning, is filled with a wonderful melancholy as she swims through lakes laden with dark histories -- Philip Hoare * New Statesman *Lee is intelligent and controlled, her writing clean and accurate . . . Turning is many things: a snapshot of Berlin seen through the prism of its lakes; the story of a broken and healing heart; a contemplation of identity; a coming-of-age story -- Katharine Norbury * Observer *Bold and brave, she approaches her watery pilgrimage with a minimum amount of fuss. She doesn't, for instance, allow the ice on Brandenburg's lakes to get in her way, but takes a hammer to it . . . Lee writes like a siren, her silken prose blending with softly worn scholarship to enchanting effect. I challenge anyone to write more compellingly about Slavic suffixes or the formation of ice * Literary Review *The redemptive power of these wild landscapes, the changes in the water, and in Jessica, combine to create an inspiring story * Daily Telegraph *A lovely, poetic, sensuous and melancholy book * Irish Examiner *Turning is about the joys of swimming through the year . . . Jessica brilliantly takes us into the water with her, even on those freezing mornings when she had to use a hammer to smash through the ice to get her fix. It's as much about loss and recovery as it is swimming. The water helps soothe Jessica's heartbreak and depression - a lesson for the rest of us about the healing power of nature -- Sun (Fabulous)

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Book SynopsisPeek into the mind of a champion swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time (28 medals, including 23 gold)In this candid memoir, Phelps talks openly about his battle with attention deficit disorder, the trauma of his parents’ divorce, and the challenges that come with being thrust into the limelight.Readers will relive all the heart-stopping glory as Phelps completes his journey from the youngest man to ever set a world swimming record in 2001, to an Olympic powerhouse in 2008, to surpassing the greatest athlete of ancient Greece, Leonidas of Rhodes, with 13 triumphs in 2016. Athletes and fans alike will be fascinated by insights into Phelps’s training, mental preparation, and behind-the-scenes perspective on international athletic competitions.A chronicle of Phelps’s evolution from awkward teenager to record-breaking powerhouse, Beneath the Surface is a must-read for any sports fan.

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Book SynopsisCrowood Sports Guides provide sound, practical advice that will help make you a better sportsperson whether you are learning the basic skills, discovering more advanced techniques or reviewing the fundamentals of your sport. Featured in Swimming - Crowood Sports Guides are information boxes containing Key Points and Top Tips; sequence photographs and detailed diagrams in colour. There is a thorough analysis of the four strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle). Starts and turns analysis, including the individual Medley are covered and valuable advice on techniques, coaching, drills, training, tapering, nutrition and competition psychology is given. There is also an introduction to rules and equipment.

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Book SynopsisCoach Blythe's Swim Workouts are appropriate for the self-coached swimmer and triathlete, as well as for coaches looking for workout content for the athletes they train. The third book in the series, called "Challenge Workouts for Advanced Swimmers" contains 100 advanced level workouts that focus on speed and yardage, with specific workouts for freestyle, individual medley, sprint and distance swimming. The workouts in this book use pace work, descending and building sets, and goal swims, that total up to 6,000 yards/meters. Each workout is accompanied by a 'Personal Challenge' to meet advanced training goals through controlled exertion, and improved pace and recovery time.

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Book Synopsis'Roger Deakin is the perfect companion for an invigorating armchair swim. Engaging, thoughtful and candid' TelegraphWaterlog celebrates the magic of water and the beauty and eccentricity of Britain.In 1996 Roger Deakin, the late, great nature writer, set out to swim through the British Isles. From the sea, from rock pools, from rivers and streams, tarns, lakes, lochs, ponds, lidos, swimming pools and spas, from fens, dykes, moats, aqueducts, waterfalls, flooded quarries, even canals, Deakin gains a fascinating perspective on modern Britain.Detained by water bailiffs in Winchester, intercepted in the Fowey estuary by coastguards, mistaken for a suicide on Camber sands, confronting the Corryvreckan whirlpool in the Hebrides, he discovers just how much of an outsider the native swimmer is to his landlocked, fully-dressed fellow citizens.This is a personal journey, a bold assertion of the native swimmer's right to roam, and an unforgettable celebration of the magic of water.Trade ReviewI jumped in with both feet and wanted to stay for more.Erudite, funky and passionate, a total delight * Independent on Sunday *Charmingly and elegantly written * Daily Telegraph *A delicious, cleansing, funny, wise and joyful book, so wonderfully full of energy and life. I loved itHighly entertaining...Waterlog is a book about a cold, wet subject written with a warmth and passion it surely deserves, but has rarely had before * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisSwimming is excellent exercise of course, but it?s so much more than that: it can be a transcendental experience, offering us space to reflect and to escape. It?s an antidote to screens and all-encompassing technology. Perhaps it?s the shedding of inhibitions that come with a dip, or could it be that getting somewhere under our own steam is an act that?s health-giving, refreshing and life-affirming? Whatever it means to you, swimming?alone or with others, badly or brilliantly?is about being in the moment.bagni

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Book SynopsisThis book contains 100 workouts that focus on improving general swimming efficiency.The workouts are specific to each of the competitive swimming strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, and butterfly. Together, the 100 workouts blend swimming drills and conditioning sets that total up to 2,000 yards. Each workout is accompanied by a Focus Point, allowing swimmers to zero in on stroke improvements by eliminating drag, improving feel for the water, and swimming in a core-centered manner. Swimmers at any level will improve their swimming technique, efficiency, and performance with Swim Fast!

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Book SynopsisThe 50-mile wide lagoon of Truk Atoll, far out in the remote expanses of the Pacific, is quite simply the greatest wreck diving location in the world. Scores of virtually intact Japanese WWII wrecks of transport ships, still filled with cargoes of tanks, trucks, artillery, beach mines, shells and aircraft, rest in the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon - along with two Japanese destroyers and one submarine - each today a man-made reef teeming with sea life. The seemingly impregnable fortress islands of Truk Atoll were a powerful air base and the main forward anchorage for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). By 1944, the Allies were pushing westwards across the Pacific islands towards the Japanese homeland. On 4 February 1944, a daring 2,000-mile long-range U.S. reconnaissance flight revealed the Truk lagoon to be full of the might of the Imperial Japanese Navy, along with scores of large supply ships and transports. The Allies decided to attack immediately. Sensing this, the Imperial Japanese Navy scattered, but the merchant ships remained, as crews rushed to offload their war cargoes of aircraft, tanks, artillery, mines and munitions. Other heavily laden supply ships continued to arrive from Japan, unaware of the Allied assault plans. Task Force 58, codename Operation HAILSTONE, was formed for an immediate attack. In total secrecy, nine U.S. aircraft carriers, holding more than 500 combat aircraft, steamed towards Truk - supported by a screen of battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines. At dawn on 17 February 1944, an initial fighter sweep of Truk by 72 F6F Hellcat fighters roared in over Truk under Japanese radar - catching the Japanese by complete surprise. The Hellcats immediately began strafing Japanese airfields and soon hundreds of aircraft were involved in one of the largest aerial dogfights of WW II. The F6F Hellcat was by now vastly superior to the Japanese Zero fighter, and the Japanese planes were shot out of the sky within an hour. With air superiority established, U.S dive-bombers and torpedo-bombers spent two days sinking all the large ships trapped in the lagoon. These sunken ships, with their war cargoes, were largely forgotten about until 1969, when Jacques Cousteau located and filmed many of the wrecks. The resulting TV documentary, Lagoon of Lost Ships, went viral. Truk's secret was out - and the beautiful wrecks, untouched since WWII, have proved an irresistible lure for thousands of divers each year since then. New illustrations of most of the previously unillustrated wrecks have now been specially created to make this book the most comprehensive guide to diving Truk Lagoon that has ever been produced.

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Book SynopsisDiscover 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.

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational story behind the film The Swimmers on Netflix, by Syrian refugee and Olympic swimmer, Yusra Mardini.'An extraordinary tale of bravery, survival, and winsome, never-give-up moxie. It is impossible not to be won over by Yusra.' – Khaled HosseiniIt’s important the world understands what many ordinary people must endure to find a safe place to live. If it will help others, I’ll tell my story a million times.When war broke out in her native Syria, Yusra Mardini fled to the Turkish coast in 2015 and boarded a small dinghy full of refugees bound for Greece. When the small and overcrowded boat's engine cut out, it began to sink. Instinctively, Yusra and her sister took to the treacherous open water and guided the boat for three and a half hours, helped by two other refugees, until they eventually landed on Lesbos, saving the lives of the passengers aboard.Butterfly is the story of that remarkable woman, whose journey started in a war-torn suburb of Damascus and took her through Europe to Berlin and from there to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.Yusra Mardini is an athlete, one of People magazine’s twenty-five women changing the world, on the list of TIME Magazine's most influential teens, and one of the the youngest UNHCR Goodwill Ambassadors. Yusra's and her sister Sara's story is the subject of a major Netflix film documenting her life, written by Jack Thorne. Yusra and Sara were also part of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2023. Now with an updated afterword.Trade ReviewYusra, we could not be prouder of you for your courage and your resilience and the great example that you're setting for children everywhere. -- President Barack ObamaYusra has an incredible story. -- Emma WatsonWar, for all its atrocities, is punctuated by instances of unfathomable human spirit and grace. Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini’s story is a prime example. Butterfly recounts this Syrian refugee’s extraordinary tale of bravery, survival, and winsome, never-give-up moxie. It is impossible not to be won over by Yusra. -- Khaled HosseiniYusra Mardini is a compact powerhouse of inspiration and determination. I am spellbound by her story of bravery and her incredible sister, Sara. What amazing young women, who illustrate to all of us that refugees are people with dreams and ambitions. -- Cate BlanchettYusra reminds us of the human cost of the tragedy and the incredible fortitude, perseverance and hope of one young woman who struggles for a future -- Stephen Daldry, Director of Billy Elliot, The Reader and The HoursAn honest account that underlines the human cost of the refugee crisis. -- Stylist LovesInspirational and humbling. -- Sunday PostYou should know the name Yusra Mardini. -- Huffington Post

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Book SynopsisIn 2012 Sean Conway gave up his photography job to try to break the record for cycling around the world. His dream came to an abrupt end when he was hit by a truck and badly injured in Arkansas, USA. After two weeks of recovery he managed to get back on his bike and continue his journey. In 2013 he became the first person to swim the length of Britain. Sean has also cycled the length of Britain and in 2015 he ran it unsupported, making him the first person to complete a British triathlon'. Sean has also climbed Kilimanjaro dressed as a penguin and once dislocated his shoulder cheese-rolling in Gloucestershire. He lives in Cheltenham and is currently restoring a Second World War boat. www.seanconway.comTrade ReviewHellish ... Conway is hardcore * Evening Standard *Britain's most inspiring maniac * Shortlist *

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Book SynopsisAlexandra Heminsley thought she could swim. She really did. It may have been because she could run. It may have been because she wanted to swim; or perhaps because she only ever did ten minutes of breaststroke at a time. But, as she learned one day while flailing around in the sea, she really couldn't.Trade ReviewA joy to read . . . another triumph for Heminsley, a champion of sport in the truest sense, and a wonderfully compassionate voice. -- Kat Brown * Daily Telegraph *Genuine and persuasive * Guardian *This is a book that turns out to be about everything in life that cannot be calculated. Heminsley responds to life’s uncertainty by becoming decisive: “The grit was in the oyster now. It was the sea versus me…” It sets a remarkable example, and by the end it could not be more obvious: the true grit is not in the oyster but in Heminsley herself. -- Kate Kellaway * Observer *Alex Heminsley has the rare gift of being able to take a sport - running or swimming - that most of us find a bit daunting and fill the reader with enthusiasm for it. She comes to sport from the position of the ordinary person - and yet shows that it can change your life in an extraordinary way. -- Jojo MoyesMasterful * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisA new re-issue of the cult swimming classic, a beautiful read filled with detailed description and powerful prose.WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY AMY LIPTROTA luminously romantic history of swimming' GuardianHaunts of the Black Masseur is a dazzling introduction to the great swimming heroes, from Byron leaping into the surf at Shelley''s funeral to Hart Crane diving to his death in the Bay of Mexico. Bursting with anecdotes, Charles Sprawson leads us into a watery world populated by lithe demi-gods a world that has obsessed humans from the ancient Greeks and Romans, to Yeats, Woolf, Fitzgerald and Hockney. Original, enticing and dripping with references to literature, film, art and Olympic history, this cult swimming classic pays sparkling tribute to water and the cultural meanings we attach to it.This splendid and wholly original book is as zestful as a plunge in champagne' Iris MurdochTrade Review[Sprawson] has an ornate style of prose, apparently smooth, but rippling with wit and candour… Haunts of the Black Masseur was a delight when I read it first time round and 25 years on, it strikes me as even better -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *­Original and sparkling… A haunting, sensual, slippery read that will make you long for seaweed on your skin and sand between your toes. A must for swimmers -- Rebecca Wallersteiner * The Lady *A wholly original idea...a brilliant translation of a singular passion -- Alan Ross * Times Literary Supplement *A devoted and luminously romantic history of swimming * Guardian *An exhilarating plunge into some of the deepest pools inside our heads... Magnificently obsessive, this social and cultural history of swimming is the best book I read this year -- J G Ballard

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIn the breaststrokes of Roger Deakin's Waterlog, this is the story of one man's search for himself across the breadth of Britain's wild waters.Trade Review'Lovely, lively, passionate... a celebration of nature's ability to inspire healing and joy' Robert MacFarlane‘Minihane writes with refreshing candour... a transformative emotional journey’ Observer 'Roger Deakin’s Waterlog journey, rebooted for the 21st century, Floating is a delicious slice of nature writing with a truly human heart' Alexandra Heminsley, author of Leap In ‘Minihane writes cleanly and with honesty, and never misses a factual or stylistic stroke’ TLS'A gem... so thoughtful. Prose as clean and beautiful as a good swim' Jessica Lee, author of Turning‘An ode to the joys of wild swimming in Britain’ Lonely Planet‘I love this book... this has to sit next to Waterlog in every swimmer’s library’ Jenny Landreth, author of Swell: A Waterbiography'Minihane finds in swimming a rare moment of being free from anxiety and learns that it can be integral in overcoming depression' Wanderlust ‘A string of immersive green dreams, from still, pollen-dusted ponds of warm days to the cold churning power of the sea... this is an effortless, absorbing read. Floating highlights the beautiful variety of outdoor swims possible in Britain and the great positive impact they can have’ Caught by the River ‘Minihane writes with a compulsive honesty and clarity that draws you into its stream as beguiling as any river Deakin ever swam – a wonderful read. Highly recommended!’ Kate Rew founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society‘Engaging and enjoyable... as much a commentary on the changing nature of Britain as a celebration of wild swimming’ The Idler‘A wonderful book: a love letter to wild swimming, a hate letter to anxiety and a story of how we can learn to live with ourselves, our overclocked minds, even after we climb out of the water’ Joe Dunthorne, author of Submarine

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Book SynopsisIncludes 74 effective swimming exercises, each with step-by-step descriptions and full-colour anatomical illustrations highlighting the primary muscles in action. This book helps swimmer learn how exercises can be modified to target specific areas, improve form in the water and minimise common swimming injuries.Trade Review"With full-color exercises and drills, Swimming Anatomy takes an inside look at the muscles you need to strengthen in order to swim your best. This is a must-have guide for every swimmer." Jason Lezak 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist in 100-meter freestyle 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist (World Record) in 4 X 100 freestyle relay 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist (World Record) in 4 X 100 medley relay "Ian McLeod, one of the most intelligent minds in swimming, demonstrates how to care for swimmers both in and out of the water, making Swimming Anatomy an essential resource for anyone involved in competitive swimming." Keenan Robinson Athletic Trainer for University of Michigan Swimming and Diving "Buy Swimming Anatomy and treat it as the authoritative liftoff into the world of aquatic strength and conditioning." Swimming World magazine Table of ContentsExercise Finder Foreword Chapter 1. The Swimmer in MotionChapter 2. Arms Chapter 3. ShouldersChapter 4. ChestChapter 5. AbdomenChapter 6. BackChapter 7. LegsChapter 8. Whole-Body TrainingAbout the Author

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable untold biography of the first British woman to swim the Channel

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Book SynopsisThe perfect summer read from the internationally bestselling author. If you loved The Lido, you won''t want to miss The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle . . . ''Heart-warming'' Hello ''Wonderfully atmospheric'' Sunday Mirror ''A heart-warming tale'' Woman & Home (Best Escapist Reads)''The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle will have you laughing and crying'' YoursIn a seaside suburb on Australia''s golden coast, four women head to the water to swim every day . . .Housewife Theresa wants to get fit; she also wants a few precious minutes to herself. So at sunrise each day she strikes out past the waves.From the same beach, the widowed Marie swims. With her husband gone, it is the one constant in her new life.Trade ReviewReading this book was like snuggling beneath a warm beach towel after a bracing dip in the ocean. -- Joanna Nell * author of The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village *Heart-warming . . . the perfect novel to curl up with on a cosy night in -- Hello * on The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club *Brimming with atmosphere and warmth, this gorgeous book completely carried me away. I absolutely loved it -- Jenny Ashcroft * on The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club *An absolute gem of a novel, with the most evocative sense of place . . . A definite treat for any book club -- Better Reading Australia * on The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club *A sweet tale, and wonderfully atmospheric -- Sunday Mirror * on The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club *Heartwarming and fulfilling -- Australian Women's Weekly * on The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club *

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