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The Swim is a 1960s novelty dance in which the dancers imitate a variety of swim strokes.
Overhand Crawl: Bring right hand straight forward (1), and hold (2, 3, 4). Repeat with left hand [DB65]. Or do it double time, two counts per stroke [HB66].
Back Stroke: Raise right hand straight up (1), and circle it down behind you (2, 3, 4). Repeat with left hand [DB65]. Or do it double time, two counts per stroke [HB66].
Breast Stroke: Bring both hands forward (1), and open them out to the sides (2, 3, 4). Repeat [DB65]. Or do it double time, two counts per stroke [HB66].
Side Stroke: Swing right arm forward, palm facing out (1), and carry arm to side (2, 3, 4). Repeat with left arm [DB65].
Dog Paddle or Mud Crawl: Circling forearms around each other (toward body), bring right arm down sharply (1), then circle forearms quickly (2, 3, 4). Repeat with left arm [DB65].
Underwater: Hold nose with right hand, raise left hand, bend knees and slowly lower yourself in a rhythmic jerk, swinging knees side to side until almost sitting on the floor. "A good way to end the dance" [DB65].
The "footwork" for the Swim is the Frug, repeatedly popping the hip out to the side [DB65, HB66].
"C'Mon and Swim" (1964) by Bobby Freeman is an appropriate choice.
© 2020 Nick Enge
For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.
For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.
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