Sidestroke is used for towing casualties and is named so because the swimmer lies on one side. It is helpful as a lifesaving technique and is often used for long-distance swimming because it allows the swimmer great endurance.

Instead of working both arms and legs simultaneously in the same way, the sidestroke uses them simultaneously but differently. If you get tired of exercising one side you can just turn over and use the other. The change of action helps the limbs to recover.

Practice

To begin, you may start on the left side, stretching the left arm out as far as possible away from the feet, keeping the fingers of the left hand quite straight and the hand itself held edgewise.

The legs make a scissor kick, in which the lower leg does the greater share of the work. Before its impetus is quite expended, the left arm comes round in a broad sweep, until the palm of the right hand almost touches the left thigh. This completes one cycle of the stroke, which is then repeated.

The hand acts directly upon the water like oars, and do not waste any power by oblique action. The right arm is dragged behind in the water, almost at rest, or held above the water. It will later be used to tow a casualty. Then, after some time, you turn to the other side, and the left arm has its chance to work while the right arm idles.