Alright anyway, Here's my take on the Swimming thing.
Entering Dark water, (drownable water) would take the skill "Swimming" to do, otherwise the water acts as a barrier. This is because even the dumbest of people don't -usually- wander into deep, drownable water without any sort of swimming knowledge aforehand. And if they did, humanity probably wouldn't miss them much.
Swimming would be a skill you can get After researching fishing, making dangerous water-travel something out of reach for fresh little newbies, because I like the look of beaches littered with the bodies of a thousand slain nabs as much as the next guy, but I'd rather not hear their complaints choking up the forum.
Swimming wouldn't be an all or nothing skill, Jorb and the rest of 'em have already said that. But I don't think it should take Strength to accomplish, after all, muscle sinks. Also said earlier, Con and Agi would be good to base swimming potential off of, gives them a use and makes Str less, no pun intended, Overpowered.
Stopping while swimming wouldn't be a bad idea, we just assume that when whatever god or gods magically popped the knowledge of how to swim into your head, also told you how to tread water too. Or maybe that could be another skill.... Or an item. I see an opportunity for some Zora flippers. Maybe crafted from Crocodiles?
Crocodiles are always a nice touch, since after all, I needed a new pair of boots, and they also make the large expanses of water seem less friendly, as well as adding new possiblities for crafting, cooking, and hunting.
But that's just my take on it, can't wait for the new map, and I'm also hoping for a full reset.