average swimming times by age

Breiz Heurope

3 min read

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08-03-2025

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Meta Description: Discover average swimming times for various strokes and distances across different age groups. This comprehensive guide provides benchmarks for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, helping swimmers of all levels track their progress. Improve your technique and achieve your personal best! (158 characters)

Knowing your average swimming times can be motivating! It helps you gauge your progress and set realistic goals. This comprehensive guide provides average swimming times by age for different strokes and distances. Remember, these are averages; individual times vary greatly based on factors like training, genetics, and experience. Use these times as a benchmark, not an absolute measure of success.

Freestyle (Front Crawl)

Freestyle is a popular stroke known for its efficiency and speed. Here are average times for common freestyle distances:

25 Yards

• Ages 6-8: 25-40 seconds
• Ages 9-11: 20-30 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 15-25 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 12-20 seconds
• Ages 18+: 10-18 seconds

50 Yards

• Ages 6-8: 50-80 seconds
• Ages 9-11: 40-60 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 30-45 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 25-35 seconds
• Ages 18+: 20-30 seconds

100 Yards

• Ages 9-11: 1:30-2:00 minutes
• Ages 12-14: 1:00-1:30 minutes
• Ages 15-17: 50-75 seconds
• Ages 18+: 45-65 seconds

Backstroke

Backstroke is a graceful stroke that requires good body position and coordination.

25 Yards

• Ages 6-8: 30-45 seconds
• Ages 9-11: 25-35 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 20-30 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 17-25 seconds
• Ages 18+: 15-22 seconds

50 Yards

• Ages 6-8: 60-90 seconds
• Ages 9-11: 50-70 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 40-55 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 35-45 seconds
• Ages 18+: 30-40 seconds

100 Yards

• Ages 12-14: 1:15-1:45 minutes
• Ages 15-17: 1:00-1:20 minutes
• Ages 18+: 55-80 seconds

Breaststroke

Breaststroke is a powerful stroke that requires strong leg kicks and a rhythmic pull.

25 Yards

• Ages 6-8: 35-50 seconds
• Ages 9-11: 30-40 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 25-35 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 22-30 seconds
• Ages 18+: 20-28 seconds

50 Yards

• Ages 6-8: 70-100 seconds
• Ages 9-11: 60-80 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 50-65 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 45-55 seconds
• Ages 18+: 40-50 seconds

100 Yards

• Ages 12-14: 1:20-1:50 minutes
• Ages 15-17: 1:05-1:30 minutes
• Ages 18+: 55-80 seconds

Butterfly

Butterfly is the most technically demanding stroke requiring upper body strength and coordination.

25 Yards

• Ages 9-11: 35-45 seconds
• Ages 12-14: 30-40 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 25-35 seconds
• Ages 18+: 22-30 seconds

50 Yards

• Ages 12-14: 55-75 seconds
• Ages 15-17: 45-60 seconds
• Ages 18+: 40-55 seconds

100 Yards

• Ages 15-17: 1:15-1:45 minutes
• Ages 18+: 1:00-1:25 minutes

Factors Affecting Swimming Times

Several factors influence swimming performance beyond age:

• Training: Consistent training significantly impacts speed and endurance.
• Genetics: Natural body type and predisposition influence swimming ability.
• Technique: Proper technique is crucial for efficiency and speed.
• Fitness Level: Overall fitness contributes to stamina and performance.

How to Improve Your Swimming Times

• Regular Practice: Consistent training is key to improvement.
• Focus on Technique: Seek coaching to refine your stroke technique.
• Strength Training: Build upper and lower body strength for power.
• Cardiovascular Training: Improve your lung capacity and endurance.
• Proper Nutrition and Rest: Fuel your body properly and get enough sleep.

Remember, these are average swimming times. Celebrate your personal best and enjoy the journey of improving your swimming skills! Don't be discouraged if your times don't perfectly match the averages. Focus on consistent improvement and celebrate your progress.