'Remarkable' Observer 'A joy to read' Daily Telegraph 'Soaringly beautiful' Sunday Times Magazine 'Genuine and persuasive' Guardian Alexandra Heminsley thought she could swim. She really did. It may have been because she could run. It may have been because she wanted to swim; or perhaps because she only ever did ten minutes of breaststroke at a time. But, as she learned one day while flailing around in the sea, she really couldn’t. Believing that a life lived fully isn’t one with the most money earned, the most stuff bought or the most races won, but one with the most experiences, experienced the most fully, she decided to conquer her fear of the water. From the ignominy of getting into a wetsuit to the triumph of swimming from Kefalonia to Ithaca, in becoming a swimmer, Alexandra learns to appreciate her body and still her mind. As it turns out, the water is never as frightening once you're in, and really, everything is better when you remember to exhale. What Hemmo's readers are saying: ‘This book is funny, engaging, entertaining, informative, suspenseful, motivating, and inspiring... I've never read anything quite like it’ – Nina on Goodreads, 5 stars ‘Just like Running Like a Girl, this was an absolute joy to read. A beautifully written story of swimming, family and being a woman’ – Violet on Amazon, 5 stars ‘Fantastic book... Entertaining – often laugh-out-loud funny – and full of really useful advice’ – J. Edwards on Amazon, 5 stars ‘A fabulous book that’s beautifully written’ – Nik on Goodreads, 5 stars ‘I can't recommend this book enough! I absolutely love Alexandra Heminsley's writing, her attitude towards exercise and her passion for swimming’ – Sarah on Goodreads, 5 stars ‘an inspirational and encouraging read’ – Stephanie on Goodreads, 5 stars ‘the author’s enthusiasm is contagious... one cannot help but yearn to join in. ... A thoroughly inspiring book with a likeable narrator unafraid to share her personal life’ – Eleanor on Goodreads, 5 stars ‘This is a delightful book, a pleasure to read... Unbelievably well written, it flows like the water she loves’ – Bobby on Amazon, 5 stars
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.
'Swimming Through Life' is an extensive history of Men's Olympic Water Polo worldwide spanning the era 1980 - 2016. Central to the story is Terry Schroeder (Captain of USA Olympic Men's Water Polo 1984, 1988 & 1992) and his life's journey - accompanied by the legions of exceptional people he's come to know through his water polo playing days and his Olympic coaching. The book is a heartfelt portrayal of the power of the human spirit .
A celebratory ode to the joy and enduring allure of the swimming pool, and a gorgeous photography book to accompany poolside daydreaming. Glamorous, seductive, and fun, made for lounging, frolicking, splashing, dipping, diving, floating, and escaping, swimming pools are symbols of both sport and leisure and conjure images of well-oiled bodies, colorful bikinis, and glimmering blue waters on hot summer days. Muse to writers, artists, photographers, and filmmakers, the swimming pool's careless opulence is splashed across the pages of this book in gorgeous images by contemporary photographers. In her second book for Rizzoli, curator, writer, and avid swimmer Lou Stoppard offers the promise of sunshine and the seduction of youth in her edit of some of the best contemporary swimming-pool photography. Organized by theme, from the glamour of the poolside party to the simple, meditative pleasure of being in the water, the selected photographs are as inspiring as they are moving. Photographers whose images are featured in this book include Sølve Sundsbø, Glen Luchford, Stephen Shore, Mert & Marcus, Diana Markosian, Martin Parr, Martine Franck, Alex Webb, Alice Hawkins, and Nick Knight. This is the perfect gift purchase for photography fans, swimmers, and lovers of leisure.
Winner of the 2012 National Book Critics Circle Award, Autobiography Swimming Studies is a brilliantly original, meditative memoir that explores the worlds of competitive and recreational swimming. From her training for the Olympic trials as a teenager to enjoying pools and beaches around the world as an adult, Leanne Shapton offers a fascinating glimpse into the private, often solitary, realm of swimming. Her spare and elegant writing reveals an intimate narrative of suburban adolescence, spent underwater in a discipline that continues to inspire Shapton’s work as an artist and author. Her illustrations throughout the book offer an intuitive perspective on the landscapes and imagery of the sport. Shapton’s emphasis is on the smaller moments of athletic pursuit rather than its triumphs. For the accomplished athlete, aspiring amateur, or habitual practicer, this remarkable work of written and visual sketches propels the reader through a beautifully personal and universally appealing exercise in reflection.
The acclaimed artist and author invites readers to dip into the many joys of swimming in this beautifully illustrate and “loving homage to aquatic bliss” (Brain Pickings). Best known as an artist, illustrator, and author, Lisa Congdon is also a record-breaking long-distance swimmer. Now she shares her personal passion for swimming in this beautiful and thoughtful celebration of getting in the water. Hand-lettered inspirational quotes and watercolor portraits are paired with real people's personal stories. Illustrated collections of vintage objects—such as colorful swim caps, traditional pool signs, and bathing suits through the ages—evoke the beauty and inspiration of the subject. An emphasis on swimming as a way of life—from taking a leap to going with the flow—makes this delightful volume a must-have for serious swimmers, vacation paddlers, and anyone pondering their next high dive.
The complete guide to swimming for overall fitness and health. Whether you swim competitively, to get fit, to stay healthy, or just swim for fun, The Swim Prescription is the all-in-one guide to everything this incredible sport has to offer. The Swim Prescription is the authoritative reference on all aspects of swimming for health, including: • Detailed explanations of how swimming benefits various health conditions • Step-by-step instructions on how to incorporate swimming into any lifestyle • Helpful tips on swimming equipment—what you should and shouldn’t buy • Three full 12-week workout courses designed for any skill level • Key points for advanced topics including nutrition, strength training and more Swimming is regenerative, beneficial and one of the easiest and most affordable way to rebuild and maintain your fitness. Do yourself a favor and write yourself a prescription for swimming! Perfect for all ages and fitness levels, The Swim Prescription unlocks the power of swimming and makes it accessible for everyone.