Historically, breaststroke is the oldest recorded form of swimming. Cave paintings were found in Egypt, dating back to the Stone Age, depicting humans in a frog-like swimming position.
Today, breaststroke refers to the forward facing swimming style, where arms move forward and outwards and the legs bend in a ‘frog-like' kick.
Breaststroke is the most popular form of leisure swimming which can be explained due to its wide-spread use since the 16th century. The first swimming book, Colymbetes written by Nicolas Wynman in 1538, had a whole chapter on learning the breaststroke to avoid drowning, which popularized the technique.
Furthermore, when competitive swimming started in Europe during the 1800s, breaststroke was the swimming style of choice till 1837. And the first man to cross the Channel, Captain Matthew Webb, used the breaststroke in 1875. It took him 21 hours and 45 minutes.
Breaststroke is loved by so many leisurely swimmers as it is the slowest swimming style and it keeps the head out of water the most.
However, at a competitive level, the breaststroke is probably the hardest style to perfect. It requires specific arm/leg coordination and precise movements to create an ergonomic, fluid style. Breathing is also essential to maximise speed and efficient energy consumption. A proper breaststroke should have the head submerged under water during alternate strokes to alleviate pressure on the spine and neck muscles.
Check out this video for a fun lesson to breast stroke basics!