According to a survey into the nation's exercise habits (for the National Lottery Good Causes) 10% of women swim regularly compared to 7% of men.

But what percentage of these women who swim for regular exercise swim breaststroke with the head held out of the water, not knowing how to let the water support them or how to breathe out under the water?

Head up breaststroke puts a lot of strain on the neck and back and makes relaxed breathing impossible. It may do more harm than good.  In the UK, a lot of women swim like this.

If you swim for exercise but don't get your hair wet, here are 6 reasons why it's not a good idea:

1. You can't breathe well because your neck is constricted.

2. You're risking neck and back problems. Imagine walking around for 20 minutes looking right up at the ceiling. This is the sort of position your head's in when swimming head up breaststroke.

3. You don't float with your head up so you need to keep your arms and legs moving all the time, making the stroke inefficient.

4. You're missing out on the real joys of swimming - when you immerse, you enter a new world and experience the complete support of the water. You can slow down and learn to breathe out naturally.

5.  You're a one trick pony, with only one way of swimming, which makes you less confident and less safe in deep water.

6. You can't see the fish when you swim on holiday.

If you're afraid to put your face in, look at this clip for inspiration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl6W4dYLBLY

You may need a couple of lessons. http://holidays.swimmingwithoutstress.co.uk/sws/intensive-swimming-course.shtml

You'll definitely need some goggles. http://shop.swimmingwithoutstress.co.uk/sws/swimming-goggles/aqua-sphere-kaiman-lady-swimming-goggles.shtml