Maths in swimming: pace charts

Quick answer

You can use maths to track and improve your swimming pace by recording how long it takes to swim each length of a pool, then comparing times to see where you're getting faster or slower.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read and understand a pace chart for swimming, and use it to compare how long it takes to swim different lengths of a pool.

• You can write down times for each length you swim.
• You can compare your times to see if you're getting faster.
• You can spot which lengths take you the longest to swim.
• You can use your pace chart to plan your next swim session.

Why this matters

Maths helps you become a better swimmer! When you record how long it takes to swim each length, you're using maths to track your progress. This is called a pace chart. It's like a map showing how fast you're going in the water. You can use this chart to see if you're getting better or to find out which lengths are hardest for you. If you're planning to swim a race, knowing your pace helps you know how much time you need to finish. It's also a fun way to see how much you've improved over time.

How it works

Swimming pace charts show how long it takes to swim each length of a pool. Here's how to make one:

1. Swim one length of the pool and time it.
2. Write down the time on your chart.
3. Swim the next length and time it again.
4. Keep going until you've swum all the lengths.
5. Compare your times to see which lengths took the longest.

Each length of a pool is usually 25 metres. So if you swim 10 lengths, you've swum 250 metres. You can write your times in minutes and seconds, or just seconds. The most important thing is to be consistent with how you measure time.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you're swimming a 100-metre freestyle race. You record your times for each 25-metre length:

This shows you swam the 3rd length fastest (34 seconds) and the 4th length slowest (37 seconds). You can see that your times are going up and down, which is normal. But if you keep swimming and charting your times, you might notice that you're getting faster overall.

Let's say you're learning to swim backstroke. You record these times:

This chart shows you're getting faster! You're swimming each length 2 seconds faster than the last. This is great progress!

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Swim Challenge

You're going to plan a swim challenge for your family. You'll swim 5 lengths of the pool and record your times. Then you'll make a pace chart to see how you did.

1st time: Swim 1st length. Time yourself. It took 38 seconds.

2nd time: Swim 2nd length. Time yourself. It took 39 seconds.

3rd time: Swim 3rd length. Time yourself. It took 37 seconds.

4th time: Swim 4th length. Time yourself. It took 40 seconds.

5th time: Swim 5th length. Time yourself. It took 36 seconds.

Now, draw your pace chart like this:

Which length was the fastest? Which was the slowest? How much faster was the fastest compared to the slowest?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Forgetting to record the time for each length.
• Why it happens: Swimming is tiring, so it's easy to get distracted or forget to write down your times.
• Fix: Use a stopwatch or timer app, and write down each time as soon as you finish that length.
• Mistake: Not being consistent with how you measure time.
• Why it happens: Some people measure time in minutes and seconds, others in just seconds, which makes comparing hard.
• Fix: Decide on one way to write times and stick to it. For example, always write times in seconds.
• Mistake: Thinking that longer times mean you're doing better.
• Why it happens: Some children think that swimming faster means they're working harder, so they expect slower times.
• Fix: Explain that faster swimming means swimming more efficiently, which means shorter times.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child track their swimming pace by:

• Getting a timer or stopwatch ready before they start.
• Encouraging them to write down each time as they finish that length.
• Helping them make a chart using a piece of paper or a drawing app.
• Discussing the chart together after swimming to see if they're getting faster.
• Noticing if they're getting tired in later lengths and discussing why that might be.
• Using the chart to set small goals for the next swim session.
• Reinforcing that it's okay to get slower sometimes, and that progress is about improvement over time.
• Encouraging them to look at their chart and see how far they've come!
• Remembering that swimming is fun, so don't put too much pressure on them to get faster.
• Letting them enjoy the process of learning and improving.

Practice questions

1. What is a pace chart used for in swimming?
2. How many seconds is 1 minute?
3. If you swim 4 lengths and your times are 30, 32, 31, 33 seconds, which was the fastest?
4. What is the difference between the fastest and slowest times in question 3?
5. Why is it helpful to record your times in a chart?

Answers:

1. A pace chart helps you track how long it takes to swim each length of a pool.
2. 1 minute = 60 seconds.
3. The fastest time was 30 seconds.
4. The difference is 3 seconds (33 - 30 = 3).
5. It helps you see how you're improving and which lengths are hardest.

FAQ

What is a pace chart?

A pace chart is a list or table that shows how long it takes to swim each length of a pool. It helps swimmers track their progress and see where they can improve.

How do I make a pace chart?

Swim each length of the pool, time yourself, and write down the time. Repeat for all lengths, then put the times in a table or chart.

Why do I need to track my times?

Tracking times helps you see how you're improving, find out which lengths are hard, and set goals for future swims.

Can I use a pace chart to plan a race?

Yes! If you know how long each length takes, you can plan how much time you need to finish the whole race.

What if I get slower in some lengths?

That's normal! Swimming is hard work, and your body gets tired. That's why it's important to track your times over time to see overall progress.