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Breakthrough Swimming Paperback – February 20, 2002

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

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Never before has one book taken such a comprehensive look at the evolution, science, and coaching application of competitive swimming. In
Breakthrough Swimming, legendary swimming coach and researcher Cecil Colwin provides a rich perspective on the development of the sport and explains major advances in stroke mechanics, training methods, and racing techniques.

Accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, this engaging text is one of the most insightful written works on the sport. It makes clear sense out of the scientific principles and puts into context the historical changes in the sport. Not only will you gain a greater understanding of competitive swimming through its origins and evolution, but you'll also gain these valuable skills:

- Improve your stroke technique, starts, and turns.
- Improve your feel of the water by learning to anticipate and effectively manipulate the reacting flow of the water.
- Understand the hydrodynamics of swimming and learn how water reacts to the forces you apply with each swimming stroke.
- Improve your conditioning and develop a better training program by understanding the principles of training.
- Learn how to design different types of workouts to produce specific physiological effects.
- Learn how to plan a seasonal program and how to relate your training to the pace of the race you intend to swim.

The book includes a chapter contributed by Dr. David Pyne, sport physiologist to the 2000 Australian Olympic swimming team. Pyne covers the physiology of modern swimming training and the preparation of swimming teams for top-flight international competition.

Breakthrough Swimming covers every aspect of competitive swimming from its spawning ground in early 19th-century England to the present day, including the profound changes that occurred in the last decade of the 20th century. The book also explains the societal changes of recent years, such as the advent of professional swimming and the specter of performance-enhancing drugs.

Combining history with the latest innovations, Breakthrough Swimming is the definitive work on the past, present, and future of competitive swimming.


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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

”What a marvelous undertaking! Readers can use as much or as little of the information as one would want; those just beginning their careers can gain enough relevant data to get started on a correct course, while seasoned coaches and swimmers will certainly be challenged by the book’s in-depth information.”

Paul Bergen Member of the International Hall of Fame Has coached 10 swimmers to 22 world records

”In Breakthrough Swimming, Cecil Colwin has called upon all of his years of experience as a coach, teacher, historian, scientific analyst, writer and iconoclast to create a brilliant, comprehensive and eminently readable work of art. Colwin's unique insights make this book an absolute must-read for every serious swimmer, coach, and lover of the sport.

Breakthrough Swimming has reconfirmed Colwin as the dean of the world's swimming scholars.”

Phillip Whitten Editor-in-Chief Sports Publications, Inc.

"Cecil Colwin continues his major contributions to the thought processes of swimming in a fascinating book that gives meaning and relevance to a mountain of information ."

John Leonard, Executive Director, American Swimming Coaches' Association Editor, American Swimming Magazine

"Like Counsilman's The Science of Swimming, Colwin's Breakthrough Swimming serves as a comprehensive technical manual on competitive strokes and training, and is certain to stimulate creative thinking on the part of novice and veteran coaches alike."

Murray Stephens, Director, North Baltimore Aquatic Club, USA Olympic Coach

About the Author

Cecil M. Colwin, who passed away in summer 2012, is a legend among swimming coaches. He had a distinguished international coaching career in which he developed Olympic medalists, world-record holders, and national champions. Colwin is also acknowledged as one of the swimming world's most influential coach educators and historians. His indelible mark on the sport spans from pioneering swim training in South Africa to coaching Canadian national and international competitors.

A former national technical director of Canadian swimming, Colwin was instrumental in researching, designing, and implementing Canadian Swimming's National Plan for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as well as the Canadian National Apprenticeship Program for training coaches in all sports. He also designed and conducted coaching certification courses for Level III coaches in the United States and Australia. In 1985 and 1986, he received the American Swimming Coaches Association's (ASCA) certificate of excellence for outstanding coaching achievement in the United States. In 1993 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Colwin authored hundreds of articles, papers, and books on competitive swimming, and served as a consultant to administrators, coaches, and swimmers worldwide. He was a regular contributor to several swimming magazines, including Swimnews, Swimming World, Swimming Technique, and The American Swimmer. Known as one of the swimming world's most inspirational lecturers, he addressed the World Swimming Coaches' Conference on several occasions and gave hundreds of lectures and clinic presentations worldwide. Colwin was the founder of Cecil Colwin's International Swim Camps, a leading stroke clinic and training experience for swimmers and coaches from many countries.


Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Human Kinetics (February 20, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0736037772
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0736037778
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.65 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.75 x 10.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

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Cecil Colwin
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2003
I am one of those swimmers Mr Colwin talks about; natural, skilled, elite. Call it what you will, I swim easily and fast. Fast enough to win the Olympics (Tokyo, 1964, 400 IM)
This book is astounding in its breadth and depth of knowledge. If you are at all serious about swimming for speed or enjoyment you need to read this work. The first and second chapters on stroke development and recent breakthroughs would be enough to make this book a classic,
The fluid dynamics section is excellent, a good thing to know in your mind. But far more valuable to me is the chapter about feeling the water. Here we dive into the heart of the matter. The more talented swimmers feel the water more. You can swim most efficiently when you can tell when the water is most ready to pull against. I stand in awe of Colvin's ability to explain an intuitive process that leaves me blubbering for words.
All of us who love the water owe Cecil Colwin a deep and sincere thank you.
77 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2002
The average swimming book prescribes stroke techniques, then offers a sample training routine. In 'Breakthrough Swimming', Cecil Colwin sets his stroke and training advice amid much firm background and some speculative discussion. Coach Colwin covers three subjects: History, Hydrodynamics and Training.
The history is broken into two parts which begin and end the book. The first is a history of swim technique (sidestroke, trudgen, overarm, etc.) which leads to a description of the four current strokes. As in Swimming Dynamics, he illustrates a "typical" way of swimming each stroke even though he admits a wide range of technique possibilities. (Colwin is an excellent draughtsman, but there seems to be a drawing error: In the text and in his side view drawings of the crawl, he describes a full body rotation of 35 - 45 degrees each way as desirable. His front view, however, shows the swimmer almost dead flat throughout the crawl.)
Continuing the exploration of hydrodynamics that he began in Swimming Dynamics, Colwin discusses the bow wave, lift, his vortex-shedding theories of propulsion, strategies of streamlining, using the hands to direct the water and many other ideas.
In covering training, Colwin (and Pyne) offer the usual ideas of aerobic vs anaerobic, interval vs distance, etc. I find myself thinking of his section, "Development of the Will to Overcome Fatigue," as I swim. I realize that I have rarely reached Hurt, much less Agony or Pain since high school (at least not in the pool).
The book ends with a history of competition that discusses rule changes, better pools, the World Cup tour (he's not impressed), national team vs club-based coaching, a chronicle of doping, fistgloves, the problems with bodysuits, a ranking of the stars of the 20th century and a look forward.
I definitely found the book worth reading.
24 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2002
A Review of Colwin's:
Breakthrough Swimming
This book has it all: descriptions of historical swimming moments, explanations of the controversies surrounding the use of performance enhancing drugs, in depth discussions of the complex technical principles of human hydrodyamics, as well as the analysis of training and racing skills of the world's best competitive swimmers. The competitive swimming enthusiast will, without a doubt, be rewarded and recharged after reading this extensive and rich anthology.
In his quest to keep competitive swimming at the forefront of international sport excellence, the author has left no stone unturned. Colwin's knowledge and passion for competitive swimming translate well into his concise and comprehensive books through which he has established himself as the pre-eminent researcher and writer in this sport. This is his third book in the past ten years, and it is, thus far, his finest work.
Colwin has an uncanny knack of selecting the perfect anecdotal material, and conjuring up vivid imagery of the past, in order to enhance the reader's enjoyment and understanding of issues that face competitive swimming today and to help establish realistic goals for the future of this unique sport. The title, "Breakthrough Swimming," is apt as it is consistently used and developed as the major theme of this book; from the cover photo of a breaststroker breaking through the water's surface tension, to the recent breakthroughs of scientists, coaches and swimmers at the elite level. It is certain that this book will play an important role in the continued development of competitive swimming.
This treatise is a must have for swimming coaches everywhere and a great read for everyone who enjoys this sport. "Breakthrough Swimming" is exceptionally presentable, readable, and interesting. This is a comprehensive and important book which will set the tone for the sport of competitive swimming for many years to come....
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2002
In his newest book Colwin places the sport of swimming in the historical context of continuous breakthroughs to new levels of human performance. Drawing on his five decades of coaching experience - from developmental to world records - and a wealth of research material drawn from many sources, the author provides much practical information along with theoretical background. This reader came away with the impression of being challenged to continue the process of innovation to faster swimming. Very well organized, the book will set beginners in the right direction and contains many items of interest for those with years in the sport. Ought to be on the bookshelf of all coaches, or anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the sport.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2002
Breakthrough Swimming offers an interesting mix of historical,theoretical and practical information which anyone who wishes to learn more about the sport of competitive swimming can appreciate. Cecil Colwin is the one of the brilliant swimmming minds in the world and all of his extensive experience and education shine through in this book. Coaches, swimmers and fans of all knowledge and experience levels will find relevant and usable information which is presented in a thorough yet reader-friendly manner.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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paul richards
5.0 out of 5 stars Well illustrated and easily explained
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2022
A very interesting book
Andreas Messner
5.0 out of 5 stars Highlight unter den Sportbüchern
Reviewed in Germany on December 8, 2005
Während viele Bücher sich nur auf Offensichtliches beschränken, bietet "Breakthrough Swimming" Aspekte, die mich selbst nach über 20 Jahren Leistungsschwimmsport noch überrascht haben.
Das Einstiegskapitel gibt einen Überblick über die Entwicklung der Schwimmtechniken in den vergangenen 100 Jahren. In Anbetracht der aus heutiger Sicht unbeholfenen Bewegungsmuster lernt man somit die moderne Technik erst richtig einzuschätzen.
Im nächsten Abschnitt beeindrucken neben den üblichen technischen Anleitungen vor allem die konkret formulierten Richtlinien für die Entwicklung eines "Wassergefühls", das es erst gestattet die strömungsmechanischen Phänomene optimal in Vortrieb umzusetzen. Besonders diese Aspekte findet man sonst äußerst selten in der Literatur. Ebenso gelungen sind anschließend die Informationen bezüglich der modernen Trainingslehre.
Überaus intruktiv stellen sich schließlich die Kapitel über die Entwicklung des Wettkampfschwimmens und Colwin's Gedanken über Doping dar.
Für die sportliche Umsetzung der Anleitungen muss man in schwimmerischer Hinsicht freilich entsprechend begnadet sein - aber wer auf der Suche nach moderner unkonventioneller Literatur über Schwimmsport ist, kommt um Cecil Colwin wohl nicht herum!
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2018
good