Butterfly

Level 1 · History & Evolution

Open to everyone. Start here without completing another game.

Butterfly developed from breaststroke in the 1930s. Overwater arm recovery and the dolphin kick became a separate stroke. Butterfly entered the Olympic programme in 1956.

Read the history source →

Watch · Swimming overview

World Aquatics includes this introduction in its swimming history feature. Use it as an overview, then follow the stroke-specific history above.

World Aquatics · video source · Open video if the player is unavailable

Look closer

What do you notice about the start, body position, arm action, kick and turn? Compare an older race with today’s technique when historic footage is available.

Study a featured swim

Gretchen Walsh · 100 Fly · Seven observation levels