I am going to cover the basic steps on how to prepare and swim 500 yards (20 laps) freestyle. This takes a lot of practice and preparation. In order to get a good time you need to be dedicated and true to the sport and event.
             Depending on your gender you will need to wear a swimsuit or something relevant to swim shorts. Most male swimmers wear Speedos, in order to go faster. When choosing a suit size, you want to get the smallest size you can fit in to, so that you don't have drag, and the suit is basically stuck to your body.
             You'll need goggles. Most swimmers prefer double strapped goggles for he reassurance that they will stay on when they dive. Many swimmers use goggles that have no rubber lining, only plastic, these are goggles you would need to get used to.
             Swimmers with longer hair (even males) will need to wear a swim cap, for less drag and resistance. Caps can be thick, but the ones that personally work the best for myself are the thin caps.
             All of these items can be purchased at your local Big 5 sporting goods store, or any other sporting goods store, or business.
             In order to better your times you will need to practice pace 100's and pace 500's. A 100 is four laps which is equal to 100 yards. You will also want to practice diving off of the block.
             When you swim a pace 100 you want to work on your breathing technique and your stroke glide. You don't want to sprint, because then later when you swim a 500 you will be out of energy.
             You want to take long smooth strokes, when you make a stroke, the tips of your fingers will hit the water and you want your whole arm to follow the exact path in to a smooth finish.
             When you are breathing you want to only tilt your
             head to the side slightly, not too much or else the bottom half of you will sink. You want to breathe about every 5 to 7 strokes, not every stroke or else you will be tired by the 5th lap. You want to breathe lig
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