Humans, unlike other animals that are drawn to water, are not natural-born swimmers. We must be taught. Our evolutionary ancestors learned for survival; now in the 21st century, we swim in freezing Arctic waters and piranha-infested rivers to test our limits. Swimming is an introspective and silent sport in a chaotic and noisy age; it’s therapeutic for both the mind and body; and it's an adventurous way to get from point A to point B. It's also one route to that elusive, ecstatic state of flow. These reasons, among many others, make swimming one of the most popular activities in the world. Why We Swim is propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club that meets in Saddam Hussein's palace pool, modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, and even an Icelandic fisherman who improbably survives a wintry six-hour swim after a shipwreck. New York Times contributor Bonnie Tsui, a swimmer herself, dives into the deep, from the San Francisco Bay to the South China Sea, investigating what it is about water - despite its dangers - that seduces us, tempting us to come back to it again and again. Read more

Explore 100 breathtaking scuba diving sites around the world--from the cenotes of Mexico to the best wreck in Micronesia--through stunning National Geographic photography, expert tips, and cutting-edge travel advice.Filled with more than 350 images from National Geographic, 100 Dives of a Lifetime provides the ultimate bucket list for ardent scuba divers and aspirational travelers alike. From diving with manta rays at night in Kona, Hawaii, and swimming with hammerheads of Cocos Island in Costa Rica to exploring caves in Belize's Lighthouse Atoll and diving beneath the ice floes of Antarctica, this exquisite inspirational book is filled with beautiful imagery, marine life guides, trusted travel tips, and expert diving advice from world-famous National Geographic divers and explorers like Brian Skerry, Jessica Cramp, and David Doubilet. Organized by diving experience and certification level--from beginner open water and wreck dives to expert cold water and cave dives--each location offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the magic of our world's oceans--from your armchair or with your scuba gear in tow. Read more

Learn the science needed to perfect your stroke, swim faster, and endure for longer.Science of Swimming dives deeper than any other book to examine the muscle groups and bodily systems involved in being an effective swimmer; how they interact with the hydrodynamics of water resistance; and how you can apply this knowledge to streamline your technique and achieve your training goals.Each swim stroke is anatomized so you can analyze and adapt your stroke to swim smarter.Full-spectrum training programs—for all abilities and goals—combine drills, speed work, and endurance with dry-land conditioning routines targeting muscle strength, flexibility, and aerobic intensity.All the latest scientific insights explained, including optimum nutrition, the importance of sleep hygiene, and techniques for mental resilience, to questions about wetsuits and open-water swimming.Whether you're swimming simply for relaxation, competing for a club, training for a distance badge or triathlon, or planning to explore the oceans, Science of Swimming will support you both in and out of the water. Read more

A New York Times bestselling memoir from Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and the most decorated US female Olympian in history: Katie Ledecky.Katie Ledecky has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. She is a four-time Olympian, a nine-time gold medalist, a twenty-one-time world champion, eight-time NCAA Champion, and a world record-holder in individual swimming events. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, she became the most decorated US female Olympian of all time. Time and again, the question is posed to her family, her coaches, and to her—what makes her a champion? Now, for the first time, she shares what it takes to compete at an elite level. Again and again, Ledecky has broken records: those of others and, increasingly, her own. She is both consistent and innovative—consistent at setting goals and shattering them, and innovative in the way she approaches her training. A true competitor, she sets her goals by choosing the ones that feel the scariest. But, crucially, she never sacrifices the joy of competition, even in the face of adversity. Her positive mental outlook and a great support system provides the springboard to her success. Just Add Water charts Ledecky’s life in swimming. It details her start in Bethesda, Maryland, where she played sharks and minnows and first discovered the joy of the pool; her early foray into the Olympics at the tender age of fifteen where, as the youngest member of the American team, she stunned everyone by winning her first gold medal; her time balancing competition and her education at Stanford University; how she developed a champion’s mindset that has allowed her to persevere through so many meets, even under intense pressure; and how she has maintained her dominance in a sport where success depends on milliseconds. You learn how every element of her life—from the support of her family to the tutelage of her coaches, from her childhood spent in summer league swimming to the bright lights of Olympic pools in London, Rio, and Tokyo—set her up to become the champion she is. In the end, Katie’s story is about testing yourself against the difficult, and seeing who you become on the other side. Read more

Best-selling author and award-winning adventurer Ross Edgley has been studying the art of resilience for years, applying all he has learned to become the first person in history to swim all the way round Great Britain, breaking multiple world records along the way. Now, Ross turns his attention to mental strength and Stoicism.Ross Edgley famously ran a marathon pulling a 1.4-tonne car and climbed a rope the height of Everest (8,848 m), after living with Yamabushi warrior monks in Japan and partaking in Shamanic pain rituals with fire ants in the Amazon jungle. On his epic 1,780-mile journey around Great Britain, which lasted 157 days, Ross swam through giant jellyfish, arctic storms, ‘haunted’ whirlpools and polluted shipping lanes, going so hard, and so fast, his tongue fell apart.Ross’ previous book, The World’s Fittest Book, was a Sunday Times number one best seller and explored the science of physical fitness. Now, in The Art of Resilience, Ross uses his swim experience and other amazing endurance feats, where he managed to overcome seemingly insurmountable pain, hardship and adversity, to study the performance of extreme athletes, military and fitness specialists and psychologists to uncover the secrets of mental fitness and explore the concept of resilience, persistence, valour and a disciplined mind-set in overcoming adversity. This groundbreaking work represents a paradigm shift in what we thought the human body and mind were capable of and will give you a blueprint to become a tougher, more resilient and ultimately better human - whatever the challenge you face. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our Desktop Site. Read more

Swim better—and enjoy every lap—with Total Immersion, a guide to improving your swimming from an expert with more than thirty years of experience in the water.Terry Laughlin, the world’s #1 authority on swimming success, has made his unique approach even easier for anyone to master. Whether you’re an accomplished swimmer or have always found swimming to be a struggle, Total Immersion will show you that it’s mindful fluid movement—not athletic ability—that will turn you into an efficient swimmer. This new edition of the bestselling Total Immersion features: -A thoughtfully choreographed series of skill drills—practiced in the mindful spirit of yoga—that can help anyone swim more enjoyably -A holistic approach to becoming one with the water and to developing a swimming style that’s always comfortable -Simple but thorough guidance on how to improve fitness and form -A complementary land-and-water program for achieving a strong and supple body at any age Based on more than thirty years of teaching, coaching, and research, Total Immersion has dramatically improved the physical and mental experience of swimming for thousands of people of all ages and abilities. Read more

Divers must have logbookCapture your underwater adventures with our ultimate dive logbook! With 100 dive log pages, you'll have ample space to track your progress and reminisce on your best dive sites. Our logbook is designed with all the important fields divers need to record on every dive, including date, location, conditions, equipment, dive data, and dive verification. Plus, it includes a note space to store important medical information.Logbook Specifications :6" x 9” - Perfect for TravelMore than 100 Dive RecordsMatte-finish cover, high-quality white paperStores important dive data including Dive, Location, Weather, Equipment Info, Starting/Ending time, Time at Bottom Dive NotesPerfect for all skill and experience levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced divers, our logbook is a must-have for anyone passionate about diving. Keep track of your diving journey, document your dive details, and store essential information in one convenient place.Makes an excellent gift for scuba divers and adventure lovers. Read more

HEARD ON THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCEAmerica’s most sought-after voice in the fight to save female sports shares her unbelievable story and inspires readers to embrace common sense and truth in discussions about women's rights. Riley Gaines has been called many things: Collegiate athlete. All-American. Champion. But in 2022, everything changed. The narrative shifted. Now, critics smeared her as: Transphobic. Narrow-minded. Evil. What changed? Riley gave the truth a voice. She stood up, spoke out, and dared to ask questions -- not just for herself, but for all female athletes who refuse to accept an ideology where "inclusivity" for trans-identifying male athletes now means treating women unfairly.  Riley Gaines is changing minds in the process, and this highly anticipated, fearless, pro-woman book takes on controversial but critical questions we must confront about women (and sports) in America. Can't we embrace policies that give everyone the chance to compete but still protect women and ensure they have a fair shot at success? In this book, Riley scrutinizes the perspectives of athletes on the opposing side of this debate, deconstructing their arguments with science, facts, and logic. She also asks what has happened to free speech and dissent in this country, where it now seems nearly impossible to have a well-reasoned debate. And in telling her story, Riley reveals what’s at stake if the truth-seekers remain silent about the injustices women face from radical agendas.   Read more

If you’ve ever said “I can’t swim” — this book is for you.Whether you’ve avoided the water your entire life or tried and stopped too many times to count, How Not To Drown is your step-by-step guide to overcoming fear, building confidence, and finally learning how to swim — at any age.Written by internationally recognized swim coach and entrepreneur Fares Ksebati, this book blends science-backed techniques with real, raw, and deeply personal stories from adult learners around the world — including Fares’ own mom, who learned to swim at age 62.They Learned How To Swim As Adults"At 43, I finally overcame my fear of water. Now swimming is my therapy, my joy, and something I share with my kids who dive into the sea like dolphins!" — Priya Sim, UK"I was terrified of the deep end. But once I learned how to float on my back, I knew I was safe — and now I swim laps with confidence." — Salley Crews, USA"I never thought I’d swim after a childhood trauma. But with the right support, I learned — and now I teach others, including my blind mother." — Rochelle Hinkle, USA"I learned to swim after 50. One moment I was sitting at the bottom of the pool, terrified. The next, I was moving through the water like I belonged there." — Tresa Anthony, India"I learned how to swim at 62. I wasn’t afraid of the water—I just didn’t know what I was missing. Now, I feel free, alive, and more confident than ever." — Hala BesmarHow Not To Drown: The Adult Beginner’s Guide to Learning How to SwimInside this book, you’ll discover:The psychology behind your fear of water — and how to overcome itPractical mindset shifts that unlock faster learningThe 10 essential steps to confidently float, breathe, and swimInspiring first-person stories from adults who conquered their fearBonus: Affirmations, training tips, and access to companion video resourcesWhether your goal is to feel safe at the beach, swim with your kids, conquer a lifelong fear, or tap into the healing magic of water — this book will meet you where you are and show you how to move forward.About the AuthorFares Ksebati is the CEO of MySwimPro, a 3x best-selling author, U.S. Masters Swimming National Champion, and the founder of World Swim Day. He’s coached thousands of swimmers globally and is passionate about helping adults discover the life-changing power of swimming — no matter their age or background.It’s never too late to learn how to swim.Take the first step. Flip the page. The water is waiting. Read more

In the United States, more than half of adults either cannot swim or do not possess all the basic swimming skills. Teaching Adults to Swim provides swim instructors with lesson plans, tips, and advice that will help their adult swim students to overcome their fear of the water and learn to swim. Using his Flash Aquatic Swim Technique, swim coach Brian "Flash" Fagan provides detailed instruction for the swim instructor to use when teaching adults to swim. With comprehensive lesson plans, instructors are guided on how to teach the four main swim strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. This book is the instructor's guide to troubleshooting fear of the water or correcting poor swimming skills. There are even chapters on workouts to build stamina and swim equipment so that the student can easily transition from beginner to intermediate swimmer. By using Brian's teaching method, instructors can quickly put their students at ease in the water. Their students will be swimming the length of the pool, treading water, and even jumping into the deep end with confidence. Read more

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Peek into the mind of a champion swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time (28 medals, including 23 gold)In this candid memoir, Phelps talks openly about his battle with attention deficit disorder, the trauma of his parents’ divorce, and the challenges that come with being thrust into the limelight.Readers will relive all the heart-stopping glory as Phelps completes his journey from the youngest man to ever set a world swimming record in 2001, to an Olympic powerhouse in 2008, to surpassing the greatest athlete of ancient Greece, Leonidas of Rhodes, with 13 triumphs in 2016. Athletes and fans alike will be fascinated by insights into Phelps’s training, mental preparation, and behind-the-scenes perspective on international athletic competitions.A chronicle of Phelps’s evolution from awkward teenager to record-breaking powerhouse, Beneath the Surface is a must-read for any sports fan. Read more

Written by a Nationally Recognized swim instructor, “The Best Day at the Pool” focuses on the emotional journey kids go through while learning to swim. Our story follows Murphy as he finds fun and constructive ways to overcome the common challenges children experience at the pool when learning.This book is designed for:Kids learning to swim.Little ones who are timid of water.Parents who want to prepare their child for swimming.Kids who love the pool and can't get enough!Also included: Teaching Tips for parents!Using these simple skills thousands of parents have been able to get their children in the water and swimming better than ever. These are the tricks top swim instructors use every day!Coach Jon has been teaching for over 20 years, owns a swim school in Southern California and has served on the Educational Committee for the United States Swim School Association. Along with his students, he has taught thousands of instructors and parents how to work with children to build a love of the water by becoming confident and independent swimmers.Let him know what you thought of the book and if you found it helpful at WorldOfAlegria.comWe can't wait to see you swimming! Read more

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM DISNEY STARRING DAISY RIDLEY.The exhilarating true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel, and inspire a new era for women in sportsBy age twenty, at the height of the Jazz Age, Trudy Ederle was the most accomplished swimmer in the world. She’d won Olympic gold and set a host of world records. But the greatest challenge remained: the English Channel. Only a few swimmers, none of them women, had ever made the treacherous twenty-one mile crossing. Trudy’s failed first attempt seemed to confirm what many naysayers believed: No woman could possibly accomplish such a thing.In 1926, Ederle proved them wrong. As her German immigrant parents cheered her, and her sister and fellow swimmer Meg helped fashion both her scandalous two-piece swimsuit and leak-proof goggles, Trudy was determined to succeed. “England or drown is my motto,” she said, plunging into the frigid Channel for her second attempt at the crossing. Fourteen hours later, two hours faster than any man, and after weathering a gale and waves that approached six-feet, she stepped onto Kingsdowne Beach as the most famous woman in the world.Based on years of archival research that unearthed Ederle’s memory from obscurity, Young Woman and the Sea brings to life the real Trudy Ederle, the challenges that came with her fame, and the historic mark her achievement made for all women athletes who followed.  Read more

The New York Times bestselling inspirational story of impoverished children who transformed themselves into world-class swimmers. In 1937, a schoolteacher on the island of Maui challenged a group of poverty-stricken sugar plantation kids to swim upstream against the current of their circumstance. The goal? To become Olympians. They faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The children were Japanese-American and were malnourished and barefoot. They had no pool; they trained in the filthy irrigation ditches that snaked down from the mountains into the sugarcane fields. Their future was in those same fields, working alongside their parents in virtual slavery, known not by their names but by numbered tags that hung around their necks. Their teacher, Soichi Sakamoto, was an ordinary man whose swimming ability didn't extend much beyond treading water. In spite of everything, including the virulent anti-Japanese sentiment of the late 1930s, in their first year the children outraced Olympic athletes twice their size; in their second year, they were national and international champs, shattering American and world records and making headlines from L.A. to Nazi Germany. In their third year, they'd be declared the greatest swimmers in the world. But they'd also face their greatest obstacle: the dawning of a world war and the cancellation of the Games. Still, on the battlefield, they'd become the 20th century's most celebrated heroes, and in 1948, they'd have one last chance for Olympic glory. They were the Three-Year Swim Club. This is their story. Read more

A beautifully illustrated exploration of cold-water traditions in Scandinavia and around the world, and a thorough account of why it provides such a boost to body and soul. Whether in lake, lido, river or sea, we know the benefits of swimming outdoors and in nature - environmentally friendly and accessible, it can influence our happiness, our energy and our inner tranquility, and give us that winter glow. Danish scientist Dr Susanna Søberg leads us step by step into the icy water and explains the "cold-shock response", the massive endorphin rush as our body reacts and adapts to very cold temperatures through the winter season. Not only do our circulation, heart, lungs and skin respond positively, but our immune system, metabolism and mental health too. In particular she explains how our "brown fat" is activated to benefit multiple health conditions. Winter swimming is fast becoming one of our most popular pastimes. This beautifully illustrated exploration of cold-water traditions in Scandinavia and around the world shows how it can have a significant positive impact on our physical and mental health, confidence and well-being, providing such a boost to body and soul.Translated from the Danish by Elizabeth DeNoma Read more

Introducing the "Swim Journal: Competitive Swimming Journal - In My Swim Era" – the perfect companion for swimmers to dive into their aquatic adventures! Tailored for those passionate about swimming, this comprehensive journal is designed to make every splash count, whether you're training for competitions or simply enjoying a refreshing swim.Key Features:1. Goals and Achievements: Set the stage for success! This journal includes dedicated sections to outline your swimming goals, whether it's refining a stroke, conquering a specific distance, or mastering a new technique. Celebrate victories by recording milestones and relishing the progress made.2. Swim Meet Entries: Dive into the details! With pages dedicated to logging swim meet sessions, document the date, duration, and the highs and lows of each session. It's a perfect way to track your journey, ensuring no stroke goes unnoticed.Weather and Conditions: Make a splash with analytics! By recording weather conditions during swim meets, this journal helps identify patterns in performance based on the elements. Rain or shine, gain valuable insights into your aquatic achievements.3. Best Times: Track your progress! Record your best times for various strokes and distances. This section allows you to monitor your improvements over time, helping you set new goals and strive for excellence in the pool.4. Reflections and Feelings: Let emotions flow in the notes section! The journal provides a space to express your feelings about swimming. From the joy of gliding through the water to overcoming fears or moments of pride, this section allows you to reflect on your aquatic experiences.5. Doodle and Sketch Pages: Unleash creativity by making a splash of art! Blank pages for doodling or sketching provide an artistic outlet for those who love expressing themselves visually. Whether it's a representation of your favorite swim moments or creative interpretations of aquatic life, these pages add a personal touch to the journal.This Swim Journal is more than a record; it's a journey through the water, capturing the highs, lows, and everything in between. Perfect for anyone passionate about swimming, it makes a thoughtful gift and a treasured keepsake for any aspiring swimmer. Make a splash and start documenting the aquatic adventure today! Read more

Created by former Navy SEAL and professional athlete Chad Metcalf, this hands-on workbook is your essential companion to the main guide. It is a roadmap designed to provide practical and actionable steps that will help you put into practice all that you've learned."Transform your game and your life – apply the lessons of mental toughness in real-time, and begin your journey to success!Have you read 'Young Athletes' Ultimate Guide to Mental Toughness' and wondered how you can actually implement the lessons into your life?Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed with where to start or how to take the first step towards developing your mental toughness?Or maybe, you just need a structured way to apply these transformative lessons and start achieving your goals?The good news is, we have just the solution for you: 'Young Athletes' Ultimate Guide to Mental Toughness Workbook.'Start off with a 7-day self-assessment, letting you gauge where you currently stand and identify your areas for improvement. Set clear, tangible goals for your journey to mental toughness. Make use of detailed practice logs to help you develop your skills deliberately and strategically, just like professional athletes do.This workbook doesn't just give you the 'what' but also the 'how'. It's equipped with various journaling templates designed to help you document your progress, reflect on your journey, and revise your goals as needed.And the best part? It's filled with extra templates for each category covered, giving you a flexible and reusable tool to continue applying these lessons in your life.Here's a peek into what you can expect:- An initial 7-day self-assessment to evaluate your current standing and identify areas for improvement- Comprehensive goal-setting exercises to provide direction and structure to your journey- Detailed practice logs for deliberate skill development- Effective journaling techniques to facilitate reflection and revision of goals- Extra templates across all categories for continuous application and growth'Young Athletes' Ultimate Guide to Mental Toughness Workbook' is designed to be completed independently, but it's also versatile enough to be used in a group setting or with a coach. Its primary goal is to help you put the principles from the main guide into practice and develop the habits that will nurture mental toughness - a crucial aspect not just in sports but in life itself.Ready to take your game to the next level? To unlock your full potential? To turn your setbacks into breakthroughs?Let's start training! Add 'Young Athletes' Ultimate Guide to Mental Toughness Workbook' to your cart right now, and embark on your journey to mental toughness." Read more

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"When I'm focused, there is not one single thing, person, anything that can stand in the way of my doing something. There is not. If I want something bad enough, I feel I'm gonna get there."Michael Phelps is one of the greatest competitors the world has ever seen. From teen sensation in Sydney to bona fide phenom in Athens, he is now -- after the Beijing Games -- a living Olympic legend. With an unprecedented eight gold medals and world-record times in seven events, his performance at the 2008 Games set a new standard for success. He ranks among the most elite athletes in the world, and is both an inspiration and a role model to millions. The incredible focus he exhibits in practice and during competition propels him forward to his unrivaled excellence. In No Limits, Michael Phelps reveals the secrets to his remarkable success, from his training regimen to his mental preparation and, finally, to his performance in the pool. Behind Phelps's tally of Olympic gold medals lies a consistent approach to competition, a determination to win, and a straightforward passion for his sport. Like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, he has learned to filter out distractions and deliver stellar performance under pressure. The road has not always been easy; from the very beginning, Phelps had to overcome physical setbacks and emotional trials. When he was younger, he was diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; other kids bullied him; even a teacher said he would never be successful. Later, he had to work through injuries that jeopardized his career. In this book, Phelps talks for the first time about how he has overcome these and other challenges - about how to develop the mental attitude needed to persevere, not just in athletic competition but in life. His success is imbued with the perspective of overcoming the obstacles that come your way and believing in yourself no matter the odds.No Limits explores the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice that go into reaching any goal. Whether it is on the starting block during an Olympic swim meet or in the weight room on a typical day, Phelps's dedication has led him to unparalleled excellence. Filled with anecdotes from family members, friends, teammates, and his coach, No Limits gives a behind-the-scenes look at the makings of a real champion. One of Phelps's mottos is "Performance Is Reality," and it typifies his attitude toward achieving his goals. It's easy to get bogged down by doubt or to lose focus when a challenge seems out of reach, but Phelps believes that you can accomplish anything if you fully commit yourself to it. Using the eight final swims of the Beijing Olympics as a model, No Limits is a step-by-step guide to realizing one's dream. Read more