I didn’t like any sport in my childhood but today swimming is my favourite. My father is a very good swimmer, so he was the one who taught me how to swim when I was 6 years old. But I didn’t start swimming seriously until I was 15 when I learnt many advantages in this activity. First of all, I don’t get hot and sweaty like we do with other kinds of sports. Besides, it’s not a team game so it doesn’t matter if I’m not quite good at it. As far as I know, swimming also increases my lungs capacity, it develops my breathing technique and makes my heart pump better. And it burns a lot of calories too. So I started going to the swimming pool because I needed more exercise to stay fit, physically strong and healthy. For me it’s the best way to relieve my daily stress and tiredness.

I go the local swimming pool for adults twice a week in the evenings. The sessions last for one hour, from 7 to 8 p.m. I really enjoy the time there. There are no children screaming and jumping in the pool. I just swim up and down quietly along my own lane, marked with ropes. My personal favourite stroke is freestyle. It is the fastest of the four primary strokes. I am also fond of backstroke. Floating on my back is so relaxing and soothing. The equipment for my favourite sport is minimal, so I don’t spend much money on it. All I need is a swimming costume and a towel. Sometimes I wear waterproof goggles and a swimming cap to protect my eyes and hair from the chlorine in the water. Although I find them rather uncomfortable.

Swimming is popular among both children and grown-ups. And it’s a perfect sport for me because it makes me feel great.