
The butterfly stroke is a unique swimming technique performed on the chest, where both arms move in perfect harmony, paired with the butterfly kick—also known as the “dolphin kick”—along with the coordinated movement of the hips and chest. This style is the latest addition to competitive swimming, having made its debut in the early 1930s, evolving from the breaststroke. What sets the butterfly apart is its impressive peak speed, which surpasses that of the front crawl, thanks to the synchronized power generated by the simultaneous movements of both arms and legs. However, it does experience a noticeable slowdown during the recovery phase, making it slightly slower than the front crawl, particularly over longer distances. Additionally, the butterfly stroke requires a different level of physical effort, which contributes to its overall slower pace compared to the front crawl.