The list of sports in India you can join if you are good at swimming
There are many sports that you can play if you know how to swim.
Competitive swimming has gained popularity in recent years and many children take into competitive swimming at a very early age.
Other than competitive swimming, here are the few sports you can play if you are not interested in doing competitive swimming.
Long distance swimming
Long distance swimming is gaining popularity in India. Here we are referring to open water swimming events and competitions held across the country. These events take place in natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, providing a challenging and scenic environment for participants. Long distance swimming events in India can range from a few kilometers to marathon distances, often with different categories catering to different skill levels.
Long distance swimming is open water swimming is swimming in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, oceans, and rivers. Open water swimming races can range in distance from a few hundred meters to several miles.
Nisha Millet Swimming Academy trains long distance swimmers in Bangalore.
The two well known long distance swimming competition in India include
Maharashtra State Open Sea Swimming Championship
Organized by the Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association, this event features open water swimming competitions in the Arabian Sea.
Held in the picturesque beaches of Goa, this event offers various long-distance swimming challenges and attracts swimmers from different parts of the country.
Triathlon
Indian Triathlon Federation is the official site in India where you would be informed about contests at state and national levels
A triathlon is an endurance race that consists of three consecutive events: swimming, cycling, and running. Participants, known as triathletes, compete in all three disciplines in succession, with transitions between each segment. Triathlons can vary in distance, with the most common types being Sprint, Olympic, Half Ironman, and Ironman distances.
The race usually begins with a swim segment. The swim portion can take place in open water (such as lakes, rivers, or oceans) or in a swimming pool, depending on the specific triathlon event. Distances for the swim segment can vary from around 300 meters in a Sprint triathlon to 3.86 kilometers in an Ironman triathlon.
After completing the swim, triathletes transition to the cycling segment. In this part, competitors ride bicycles over a specified distance. The cycling portion can vary from 20 kilometers in a Sprint triathlon to 180 kilometers in an Ironman triathlon. Drafting (riding closely behind another cyclist) is usually not allowed in most triathlon events.
Following the cycling segment, triathletes transition to the final discipline: running. In this phase, competitors run a designated distance. Run distances can range from 5 kilometers in a Sprint triathlon to 42.2 kilometers in an Ironman triathlon (a full marathon).
Between each discipline, athletes must quickly transition in a designated area called the transition area. Transition times are also a crucial aspect of a triathlon, as they can significantly impact an athlete’s overall race time.
Livesaving
India hosts various lifesaving championships and competitions aimed at promoting water safety, rescue techniques, and lifesaving skills.
These events are organized by national and state-level lifesaving organizations, swimming federations, and other sports bodies.
The specific events and championships can vary from year to year, so it’s best to stay updated through local sports organizations, swimming clubs, or official websites. Here are some examples of the types of lifesaving competitions that might be held in India
This year also an Indian team represented the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championship this year.
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport that is played in a swimming pool.
The game is similar to soccer or basketball but is played in the water.
Two teams compete to throw a ball into the opposing team’s goal, and the team with the most goals at the end of the match wins.
Each team consists of seven players (six field players and one goalkeeper) and six substitutes.
Players use a small ball and swim, tread water, pass the ball, and shoot goals. The objective is to throw the ball into the opponent’s goal, defended by a goalkeeper. Players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool while playing, except for the goalkeeper, who can touch the bottom while inside the 5-meter area.
Goals are scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.
A standard water polo match consists of four quarters, each lasting around 8 minutes, with breaks between quarters and a longer halftime break.
Players typically wear swim caps and water polo suits, which are designed for better mobility in the water. The ball used in water polo is similar in size to a soccer ball but is designed to float on the water.
Water polo is a physically demanding and highly strategic sport that requires a combination of swimming skills, ball-handling abilities, and teamwork. It is played at both amateur and professional levels and is a popular sport in many countries around the world.
Water polo in India
Waterpolo is currently not so popular in schools in India. Efforts are made by the swimming clubs and government to encourage swimmers join water polo meets that happen at the state and national level.
Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre is one of the best water polo training centres in Bangalore.
Synchronized swimming
Synchronized swimming is a team sport where swimmers perform a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music. Athletes synchronize their movements to music while floating in water, often in a synchronized manner.
Competitors are judged on the synchronization of their movements, technical difficulty, artistic impression, and overall performance. Judges assess the execution, difficulty, and creativity of the routines.
Synchronized swimming can be performed by individuals, duets (two swimmers), or teams (usually consisting of eight swimmers). In team routines, swimmers work together to create intricate patterns and formations in the water.
Synchronized swimming is practiced at various levels, including recreational, club, national, and international competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships.
Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre is one of the best training centres in Bangalore for synchronised swimming.
Diving
Junior diving programs in India are designed to introduce young individuals to the sport of diving and develop their skills in a safe and structured environment. These programs are typically conducted by diving clubs and swimming academies
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and various state-level sports authorities support and promote diving programs as part of their efforts to identify and nurture young talent in aquatic sports, including diving.
