Move Fast in Water: Tips from Young Indonesian Swimmers

Swimming is a skill that many people possess, but not everyone has what it takes to be an athlete in the sport. Being a swimmer requires special skills, such as moving fast in the water, controlling breathing, and having endurance while diving.

So, how do athletes develop these abilities? NYXS interviewed two young Indonesian swimmers, Rafaa Khansaa Andreyan and Riffa Nur Fitriyani, to find out.

Rafaa Khansaa Andreyan, 13 years old

Despite being young, Rafaa’s determination in swimming is worth admiring. As a professional athlete, she practices for 2.5 hours every day to improve her skills in the water.

“Swimming fast is quite challenging because breathing is more difficult. Therefore, regular swimming training with enthusiasm and determination is necessary, combined with physical exercises like skipping, jogging, push-ups, and sit-ups that are good for breathing,” explained Rafaa.

Apart from training, Rafaa also prioritizes rest and maintains a healthier diet by consuming more vegetables, fruits, and vitamins. According to her, having an ideal weight also helps swimmers move faster.

Riffa Nur Fitriyani, 11 years old

Inspired by her sister, Rafaa, Riffa also aspires to become a champion in every swimming competition. From a young age, Riffa already had the ambition to excel and gain experience from swimming.

To improve her swimming skills, she attends training six times a week. With enthusiasm, Riffa mentioned that she does not encounter many difficulties during swimming training. She seems to enjoy every session, even though it can be tiring at times.

“The daily training must be consistent. In addition to swimming styles such as butterfly or freestyle, there are also physical exercises for breathing, such as jogging and skipping,” said Riffa.

According to Riffa, additional physical exercises such as jogging and skipping have a significant impact on swimming speed. “I also regularly consume vitamin C, honey, and milk, and eat nutritious food,” she added.

Before a competition, Riffa usually increases her training intensity and continues to learn from her weaknesses.