Swimming is a popular recreational activity and a competitive sport. There are many health benefits of swimming, but it also entails risks if basic precautions are not taken.

Much of recreational swimming takes place in pools, where the water is calm. Swimming pools are popular venues, also beaches, lakes, swimming holes, creeks, rivers, and sometimes canals.

However, playing around in rough water is a great fun, but can be dangerous due to undertows or the risk of injury from underwater objects. A good way to protect your body is to wear some well fitting clothes.

For many water sports you should be able to swim in clothes. Be it sailing, canoeing, kitesurfing or adventure racing, you're unlikely to do them just in swimming briefs. We've prepared a fun training course to get you started.

By Poolside Billy:
As a kid, I can remember going to swimming lessons with my brother. My mom wanted to be sure we could swim to safety if we ever accidentally ended up in the water.

One day when we arrived at the pool, our instructors told us to come out to the pool before we got changed into our swimming trunks.

Upon arriving out by the pool, they told us that we would be going in the pool in all of our clothes that day to practice swimming in more restricted conditions as would be the case if we were to accidentally fall into the water.

We weren't very sold on the idea at the time, but my brother jumped in rather quickly. I was more reluctant though, but once I was in, I found it to be fun.

Moreover, I think it was a really good excercise. Perhaps that should be part of swimming lessons. After all, if someone accidentally falls in the water, it's doubtful they will only have their swim suit on.