Walter Brack of Germany in 1904 won the first recorded Olympic 100 backstroke in 1.min 16.8 sec. in fact Germany were first second and third with Geog Hoffmann and Geog Zacharia filling the minor placings.

Backstroke is probably the easiest swimming stoke to learn. Once the basic float, which is the corner stone of all good swimming technique is learned, the propulsive skills of kicking and then the arm pulling action can be added. The face remains out of the water at all times and the breathing, which often causes problems in learning to swim freestyle, is unrestricted in backstroke swimming. With good skill development and a graded teaching program all children have the opportunity to learn the backstroke swimming action correctly.

The Laurie Lawrence method of teaching backstroke is a comprehensive method of gradual skill development. As each skill is mastered the next skill is introduced maintaining the building block method of teaching swimming.