Swimming evolution in the last 70 years or so - Click on it to make it larger.

Here is a series of illustrations denoting proper swim technique throughout the past century or so. I found the first three illustrations on a swim blog from Spain called NotiNat which is a great blog too so go there and look when you are done reading. [Link]

The year is 1838: A French swimmer is swimming on his side using a on one-legged breaststroke kick as the primary means of propulsion.

The year is 1875: See how low the swimmers legs go when he takes a breath. It's almost like sighting when swimming in open water. There is very little kick if any.

The year is 1893: Modern technique is becoming more recognizable but the kick and the breathing need work not to mention that there is no rotation.

Circa 2000: The last picture is the from the Total Immersion school. The kick is coming from the hip flexors instead of the knees, there is rotation in the stroke and side breathing plus women are allowed equal access to pools, competitive events, and hydro dynamic swimsuits. You can feel the athleticism as well. The swimmers ankle flexibility is so superior to average that she looks like a ballerina en pointe )

What is ironic is that my swim technique is a bit sketchy and here I am pretending I know something. Let that be a caveat ;-)