View Full Version : Learning to swim as an adult
missyburd
03-11-09, 03:17 PM
Ello all.
I am currently learning how to swim. Went last night with YC and his folks and am very slowly gaining confidence little by little in the water. The reason why I can't swim goes back to those school swimming trips as a kid, first time I went when I was about 11, ended up panicking in the deep end and had to be rescued by a child blessed with much bouyancy, bless her (Supervisor had left the pool :rolleyes:). I hadn't been anywhere near a swimming pool since until a couple of years ago when I went with a friend and after 3 hours I could get halfway across the width of the pool before realising I wasn't touching the floor and panicking :oops:
As a result I panic badly when my head goes under suddenly. I can take a deep breath and stay fully submerged for a few seconds (while stationary) but when I go under involuntarily (i.e. when I've lost momentum) I have a tiny panic attack and get really upset. I really want to be able to do this with confidence and I realise it's going to take time and practice, I just wondered if any of you guys might have had the same problem (learning as an adult) and any tips you may have?
Obviously different people have different ways of teaching (As I found out last night lol), those of you who can swim, how would you go about trying to get someone confident in the water and trusting it?
I was using one of these last night
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H6jDVCrC2R4/SkvikD2lawI/AAAAAAAACgg/R13cw-a2J3I/s400/brik+swim.jpg (cute kid huh?)
and although it helped loads I can't help feeling like it's not me floating as it's just keeping me up. I know as humans we float naturally but it's easier said than done when you're convinced you're going under. Apparently I improved loads last night and admittedly I could "swim" a few yards but is there anything I can do to make it easier? Would be good to hear different takes on the matter.
Thanks for reading if you've got this far :-)
MYC x
plowsie
03-11-09, 03:19 PM
I guess you've tried the lying on your back thing. That was a big overcomer of the fear for me.
EDIT: Well done you for getting back in the water also :thumbsup:
Milky Bar Kid
03-11-09, 03:21 PM
I would be interested in the replies to this. I too have this problem. Used to be quite a strong swimmer but got a really bad cramp in the deepend at High School and I went under and caused me a huge panic. One of the boys pulled me out but since then, I can't swim more than a few metres because I tense up so much in the water.
Well done you MYC for getting in the pool and going for it, total respect!
Dave20046
03-11-09, 03:21 PM
We float, aslong as you have air in your lungs you'll float. Best way in my minds just to spend time ****ing about in the pool with yc/someone observant&able to swim around to get used to it and comfortable, push your boundrys a bit further each time. Bit like motorcycling :scratch:
shonadoll
03-11-09, 03:21 PM
I learned later, and one thing that helped me, was taking a deep breath, lying on my back, and floating. It really works, and doing that on my own, helped me relax a bit more.
Once you feel a bit more confident, it becomes so much easier, and it's all good. Just don't put yourself under any pressure, or let anyone else.
BanditPat
03-11-09, 03:27 PM
I find that lying on my back gets m confidence back up if i haven't been swimming in ages, face is always above the water that way or try getting some one to put there arms under your body to keep you afloat while you swim, that's the way I was taught when i was small.
plowsie
03-11-09, 03:28 PM
I guess you've tried the lying on your back thing.
I learned later, and one thing that helped me, was taking a deep breath, lying on my back, and floating. It really works, and doing that on my own, helped me relax a bit more.
This is what I meant.
The idea of it is to build a big confidence in the water, you realise you can float. The thing to also remember, if you start to sink, quick push on the bottom and your back up there with everyone. I prefer underwater, can't hear all the screaming scrotes.
get some lessons! They're really not that expensive.
missyburd
03-11-09, 03:35 PM
I guess you've tried the lying on your back thing. That was a big overcomer of the fear for me.
Yeah, I did that but I can't remember if I managed to do it without the noodle thing now lol. It felt lovely to just float there. On my back I do find it easier.
I can't swim more than a few metres because I tense up so much in the water.
Tensing up I can understand. Within the first half hour of being in the pool my back was in agony. I was arching it so much to try get my back end to float that I ended up in pain! By the end of the session my posture was apparently loads better, and my back a little more relaxed. The rest of my body was happy to relax but my back was having none of it!
Just don't put yourself under any pressure, or let anyone else.
I have a habit of getting cross with myself which is a tough one to kick. I want to do it so badly and it just doesn't come as easily as it should :(
Best way in my minds just to spend time ****ing about in the pool with yc/someone observant&able to swim around to get used to it and comfortable, push your boundrys a bit further each time. Bit like motorcycling :scratch:
One of my main fears was splashing about in the pool with too many people about, we've found a pool that has adults only swimming a couple of evenings a week so we plan to go there once a week until I'm confident enough to swim normally.
YC's fab :love: he explains the technical side to it all which helps me understand it better as I like to know what forces are involved. And he's patient which is a must with me!
I know what you mean about having someone observant about, it really helps to have someone pointing out exactly what I'm doing wrong.
As for the comments about me doing well getting back in the pool well it's a bit of a no brainer really, I have no choice, I want to swim and the only way to do it is overcome the fear!
missyburd
03-11-09, 03:38 PM
get some lessons! They're really not that expensive.
Suppose but to be honest I'd rather have someone I know and trust with me. I really do hate it when I go under suddenly and it's really comforting to have a friend/someone you love always there. And why waste money if someone is willing to spend the time and effort with me? :shrug:
YC's fab :love: he explains the technical side to it all which helps me understand it better as I like to know what forces are involved.
I'd forget the physics. The more you analyse it, the more unnatural it will seem. Just 'mess about' in the shallow end and you'll find you end up teaching yourself without realising.
My youngest had lessons and after months, she still couldn't get the courage up to get out of her depth. I took her swimming with me and within 20 minutes she had her 10 metre badge. 2 weeks later she did her 25 metre. I didn't 'teach' her anything, we just played around until I pointed out to her that she wasn't touching the floor anymore.
Suppose but to be honest I'd rather have someone I know and trust with me. I really do hate it when I go under suddenly and it's really comforting to have a friend/someone you love always there. And why waste money if someone is willing to spend the time and effort with me? :shrug:
I'd say because they're trained to train you how to swim. They also have floats/bands/devices to help you master the correct actions whilst not drowning in the process. They're also experienced enough to look out for common faults in the way you swim that might hinder progress. It does depend on whether you want to be confident in a swimming pool for a laugh or competent in an emergency where you might have to swim for several miles just to survive. If YC can teach you all this, then you're quid's in ;) and can I come too? :D
missyburd
03-11-09, 04:02 PM
I'd say because they're trained to train you how to swim. They also have floats/bands/devices to help you master the correct actions whilst not drowning in the process. They're also experienced enough to look out for common faults in the way you swim that might hinder progress. It does depend on whether you want to be confident in a swimming pool for a laugh or competent in an emergency where you might have to swim for several miles just to survive. If YC can teach you all this, then you're quid's in ;) and can I come too? :D
Well between him and his ma they did a pretty good job last night. I'm happy with the teaching standard so far :-) The things you've listed there are all things they were doing last night, so I think I'm ok.
Why'd you want to come too, can't you swim?
Woz: about forgetting the physics, I know it sounds daft for me to even think about that side of it but for some reason it's strangely reassuring to know it's not actually possible for me to sink if i do this because of this this and this, if that makes any sense. Maybe it's just me personally liking to know what's going on but I see exactly what you're saying. I switch off when he jabbas on too much anyway :-P
Why'd you want to come too, can't you swim?
Not well enough to swim for several miles at sea. I never mastered the crawl properly either, and I always fancied trying butterfly. I'm very good at breast stroke. God that sounds wrong. :?
Just mess around, thats how we learned when we were younger, if you're having a laugh, you don't really don't get stressed if you're having a laugh and not thinking about it.
The key first isn't learning to swim, its being comfortable being in and under the water. If you don't have a pair of goggles get some, makes putting you're heading under the water easier. :)
Woz: about forgetting the physics, I know it sounds daft for me to even think about that side of it but for some reason it's strangely reassuring to know it's not actually possible for me to sink if i do this because of this this and this, if that makes any sense. Maybe it's just me personally liking to know what's going on but I see exactly what you're saying. I switch off when he jabbas on too much anyway :-P
Don't worry, you can't sink, sh*t floats doesn't it? ;)
Jokes. :D
I shall get my coat. :)
plowsie
03-11-09, 04:10 PM
I'm totally the opposite Ophic, I can't breast stroke for shoite but my front crawl is really comfortable, and smooth.
Speedy Claire
03-11-09, 04:12 PM
I`d go for the lessons Maria.... A few years ago I went to lessons (they were about Ģ3 for an hour) I could already swim but I wanted to know the correct breathing techniques as I tend to swim a length of the pool whilst holding my breath!.
It was an all female class and there were 3 levels........ beginner, average and advanced. It was great fun and all the women enjoyed it. I always think that as good as a partner might be if they`re teaching you anything there`s always the potential for an arguement :D
Very best of luck x
missyburd
03-11-09, 04:13 PM
If you don't have a pair of goggles get some, makes putting you're heading under the water easier. :)
It's the sound of water in my ears which I think is the main problem. Everything just comes flooding back (bdum tschhhhh oh dear...) and I panic. Although I admit I haven't got to the opening eyes underwater stage yet :smt119...
I'm totally the opposite Ophic, I can't breast stroke for shoite but my front crawl is really comfortable, and smooth.
My dad was like that, before he had proper lessons. He started learning properly in his 40s iirc.
I admire anyone who learns a thing like this when they are older, well done you.
I learnt to swin in spain i think it was. I was thrown in the deep end, and off it went...sink or swin basically
Ear plugs?
You probably have an abundance with the very nice sounding bike you're OH has :)
missyburd
03-11-09, 04:15 PM
I always think that as good as a partner might be if they`re teaching you anything there`s always the potential for an arguement :D
Well we were fine last night, I only get frustrated at myself and I can't justify being angry at him when he's using his time in the pool with me when he should be getting fit doing more lengths haha. If it was my own mother teaching me then there would be arguments I'm sure!
Sally, earplugs are an option yes but I want to conquer the problem, not use ways to get around it if that makes sense :-)
plowsie
03-11-09, 04:18 PM
My dad was like that, before he had proper lessons. He started learning properly in his 40s iirc.
I find I twist my body or my legs don't kick properly in the same motion.
sv-robo
03-11-09, 04:28 PM
Well done you!!:salut:...can't be easy overcoming such a phobia(given your previous history in the water),just wondering,do you wear a nose clip?as a lot of people can't get past 1st base as they hate the water going up their nose & find it really offputting when starting out.......just a thought.
missyburd
03-11-09, 04:33 PM
Well done you!!:salut:...can't be easy overcoming such a phobia(given your previous history in the water),just wondering,do you wear a nose clip?as a lot of people can't get past 1st base as they hate the water going up their nose & find it really offputting when starting out.......just a thought.
No I haven't bothered. Nor with goggles or earplugs. It's not that I don't like the water, I love water hence why I want to be 100% comfortable with it. It's the fact I don't trust it, although I think I'm getting there, ever so slowly...
Thanks for all the comments everyone, you're helping lots :-)
Littlepeahead
03-11-09, 04:41 PM
Well done for learning. I took lessons when I was 27 - I found a neighbour who also couldn't swim so we went together then rewarded ourselves to a big bag of fish and chips afterwards. I still don't enjoy it but I'm swimming with elephants in Thailand next year so it was worthing doing the lessons for that alone. But I have all the bouyancy of a house brick!
I remember that my mom was adamant that I would learn to swim because she couldnt. She then took lessons at the same time I was learning to swim to also try to encourage me to keep going.
Well done MYC itīs an incredibly brave thing to do to overcome a fear:smt023
I do remember though about watching something by the hypnotist Paul McKenna... I normally dont like him, but this was a series about him using his powers of suggestion in a positive way for people who were afraid of the water, and other fears.
Not sure if that is something that you could look up and see if he has a DVD or something to try and think about the panic you feel a little differently to able you to learn to swim without the fear?
My sister is a swim teacher, but she is based Exeter way so couldnt help you but I will have a chat with her and see if she has any ideas.
missyburd
03-11-09, 04:47 PM
Thanks Anna, that would be fantastic :-)
firstly, well done!, its an important skill to have being able to swim
i taught my dad the swimming basic's on a holiday we had a few years ago and he was 54years old at the time, it was quite upsetting for me watching a grown man especially being my dad struggle in the water, but we kept trying and he ended up being confident enough to try swimming in the sea by the end of the holiday
the way we did this was to try and make it more fun than hard work, try not to do too much at once then end up gettin frustrated with yourself as you'll end up knocking your own confidence, it'll come with time and patience, as they say practice makes perfect
im sure before long you'll be so confident you'll wonder what all the fuss was about, good luck and keep at it!
skeetly
03-11-09, 06:10 PM
I'm in the middle of sorting out my fear of swimming as an adult.
Got freaked out as a kid and avoided it for years.
When the kids were little I would go in with them but I'd be terrified.
Anyhow. Best thing I did was get some good goggles. One less freaky thing to worry about ;)
Not sure I'd go tombstoning yet but I can swim again now :D
Alpinestarhero
03-11-09, 06:14 PM
I suppose one way to build confidence is to get to part of a pool where, if you touch the bottom, your mouth and nose are just under the water line, but on tippy toes your above the water line. This may get you used to occasnonally bobbing your head underwater. waddle from one side to the other at this point of depth.
And make sure there is always someone with you who will help, and dont be afraid to say "enough, i've had enough!"
Personally, I love swimming and being in deep water...I used to enjoy seeing if I could reach the bottom of the diving pools, havn't tried it in a while!
missyburd
03-11-09, 06:15 PM
I have got a pair of goggles somewhere, might did them out when I feel ready for them.
Gene genie
03-11-09, 06:16 PM
i love swimming. good for myc, had a simmilar experience when i was little that dented my confidence. its only since my two children have learnt to swim that i've caught the bug again over the last 10 yrs.
so anyway, here comes the lesson. try to relax, try to control your breathing. i haven't read all the posts cos i'm lazy but i did catch that you panic a little when you hold your breath under water, don't hold your breath, blow bubbles slowly through your nose then return to the surface. try it myc and practice.:smt023
yorkie_chris
03-11-09, 06:18 PM
he should be getting fit doing more lengths haha.
I don't swim now, my belly sits on bottom of pool and keeps me afloat :-P
Gene genie
03-11-09, 06:19 PM
I have got a pair of goggles somewhere, might did them out when I feel ready for them.
your ready for them now myc. you didn't wait till you could ride a bike to wear a helmet. much better vision i find wearing goggles.
Gene genie
03-11-09, 06:20 PM
I don't swim now, my belly sits on bottom of pool and keeps me afloat :-P
try backstroke then.:D
missyburd
03-11-09, 06:20 PM
i did catch that you panic a little when you hold your breath under water, don't hold your breath, blow bubbles slowly through your nose then return to the surface. try it myc and practice.:smt023
i haven't really got round to the holding breath underwater stage yet. When I know I'm going underwater I don't panic and can hold my breath fine. When I go under suddenly as a result of messing up a stroke or a kick I panic and flounder. Hopefully now not doing this as much as I was in the beginning though!
missyburd
03-11-09, 06:21 PM
your ready for them now myc. you didn't wait till you could ride a bike to wear a helmet. much better vision i find wearing goggles.
Well at the moment they will just annoy me. I'm not learning to swim underwater to begin with so I technically don't need to use them yet. I can get water in my eyes, that's not a problem, but I'm still at the keeping-majority-of-head-above-water stage :-)
Gene genie
03-11-09, 06:23 PM
but I'm still at the keeping-majority-of-head-above-water stage :-)
i hope you get your hair wet though.
DarrenSV650S
03-11-09, 06:26 PM
Haven't read this whole thread but goggles seriously help even when you're not going underwater. It's just one less thing to worry about.
missyburd
03-11-09, 06:29 PM
When I know I'm going underwater I don't panic and can hold my breath fine.
i hope you get your hair wet though.
I went under the water while stationary a few times to begin with to try and get myself used to the noise of water in my ears (which I hate because of the memories). Getting my hair wet really isn't the issue here :-P
Lessons.
If they weren't a proven success there wouldn't be a market for them.
Just try and remember there is no way you will drown in a beginner's class with instructors around. Have a lesson, then reinforce it with trips with YC. Then repeat the process.
Then book a holiday to Egypt for diving on the reef - hell of a goal.
appollo1
03-11-09, 09:09 PM
Well done Miss YC for going for it.
I can swim across the width of a pool but I cannot go into a part of a pool where my feet dont touch the bottom - fear from nearly drowning as a kid and still never got over it. I cannot tread water and am too worried to go into the deep end to try.
Both my kids are learning to swim at the moment and my daughter (7) is getting really good and has recently swan 200 meters so i am very proud of her.
Her brother (4) is completely different. He doesn't like getting his hair wet!!! I know very strange. He doesn't want to go again so we are not going to force him - if i had my way i'd just throw him in but Mrs A wont let me.
I have found as you have already been advised that goggles definately help as sight is one of your main senses and if you dont open your eyes under water then it will be throwing your balance off.
Keep up with learning and let us know how you get on.
missyburd
03-11-09, 11:36 PM
Just try and remember there is no way you will drown in a beginner's class with instructors around.
See now you'd think that but then when the lifeguard decides to leave the entire swimming area after telling everyone to jump in the pool (I had naturally gone to sit with my friends...shallow and deep end not clearly labeled and me not being familiar with the whole pool layout) you begin to lose faith. With people who know me however I feel very much reassured that they won't leave me. Sounds petty perhaps but a lot of it is psychological and I can't help the way I feel at first.
Many people can't swim because of one bad experience or another, each experience will vary somewhat and each will affect the individual differently. I'm sure lessons do work very well for some but I lost confidence because one person didn't do his job properly and now I have to rely on those I can trust as opposed to strangers.
Milky Bar Kid
03-11-09, 11:55 PM
See now you'd think that but then when the lifeguard decides to leave the entire swimming area after telling everyone to jump in the pool (I had naturally gone to sit with my friends...shallow and deep end not clearly labeled and me not being familiar with the whole pool layout) you begin to lose faith. With people who know me however I feel very much reassured that they won't leave me. Sounds petty perhaps but a lot of it is psychological and I can't help the way I feel at first.
Many people can't swim because of one bad experience or another, each experience will vary somewhat and each will affect the individual differently. I'm sure lessons do work very well for some but I lost confidence because one person didn't do his job properly and now I have to rely on those I can trust as opposed to strangers.
I fully understand that MYC, YC knows how far to take it with you, he wont push you any further than you are comfortable. If you were to go with beginners lessons, they need to go with the majority!
jamesterror
04-11-09, 12:09 AM
I was a good swimmer when I was younger, use to do 1000 - 2500M, now can barely do 1000 without dying.
maviczap
04-11-09, 09:08 AM
Well posting such a personal thing on an open forum is a brave thing to do, and I'm sure that there's other who wouldn't admitt to not being able to swim on a public site. There's been lots of good advice, and going for lessons is the best way forward IMHO, although 1 to 1 sessions might be the key. Not everywhere does this, but I know a private swimming pool in my area does this. Might cost a bit more though?
As a kid I feel into the cannal whilst boarding my parents houseboat (no we aren't rich, that was before we had a house!), strangely I don't remember this, otherwise I might freak out at the sight of water. My sister tried to teach me to swim, but I remember being scared. It wasn't until I had lessons at school, that I grew gills and really enjoyed swiming.
But my eldest daugther isn't such a good swimmer and most of this is down to my mother in law washing her hair without getting her face wet, she doesn't like water on her face or in her ears. My youngest is a fish and has no fear of water, which is another problem :rolleyes:
If you don't like the sound of water in our ears, then swimmers ear plugs which are wax would help.
But keep going, as it'll probably just click into place one day:smt023
I went for my first swimming lesson Monday so i can't really help with suggestions, but i enjoyed it so much i went back yesterday & enrolled for the Friday course as well so i can go twice a week, like you i'm at the long float stick thingy stage but i thought i got on well with it considering it was my first time in a pool for 35 years, I especially like the feeling when she got me to lie on my back & swim along, felt so peacefull.
There are a few websites with various suggestions & training at home methods regarding overcoming fears & phobias relating to swimming including the control of breathing & face in water topics which might be worth a look, i'll put up some links when i find them again.
Ooo this subject has brought me out of retirement
It is a difficult one, I am teaching a friend how to swim at the moment. It is very hard for me, and prob not very productive for him. I am quite a natural swimmer and swim for a hour everyday, in many ways I feel much more at home in a pool or in the sea than I do otherwise (im dead clumsy and tend to walk into things a lot!) I cant even remember when I learnt to swim, so it is hard for me to explain it to my mate. I struggle as I cant understand why he just cant float horizontally and not stick his head in the air and why he can just stick his head under the water. Its not me being insensitive, its just that I cant understand it cus ive never had that problem.
I really suggest getting lessons; even if it is only a couple that get the basics in place – more than that is just practice and technique. Swim coaches are trained to understand and improve peoples skills. I go to one every few months to improve. – Which is needed sometimes as I lost concentration last night and nearly brained myself on the side of the pool when I tumbled!
kellyjo
04-11-09, 01:28 PM
After many years of failing dismally i finally learnt to swim at the age of 28. I too had been scared as a kid after several incidents.
I finally cracked it by using a tummy band, a rope that goes around your tummy with about 8 small square floats. Once i got confident with all the floats it was a gradual process to remove them one at a time until, hey presto, swimming unaided!!
In the end it only took me few hours. Im sure this wouldnt work for everyone but might be worth a try. Good luck to you xx
I learnt to swim at 22 when I joined the navy (they expect you to swim for some reason). I had to put on a boiler suit and boots and jump off the top board and then tred water for 10 minutes then pull yourself out the pool. I was terrified never even having jumped in from side. I stood on top board looked straight ahead at clock and was pushed in. Did a massive belly flop which caused me to turn bright red from chin to knees for 3 hours. I then managed to float about on my back and struggled but eventually hauled my carcass out the water. I can only do breast stroke but can swim for miles. I cannot put my face in the water unless Im in the shower (even then I hold my breath). I cannot go down flumes etc and hate when people jump in round about me. I dont like the water. I made sure all my kids could swim, becky started at 18 months and was swimming unaided by 4, connor started at 5 and was swimming by 7 and Libby passed her first swimming badge a couple of weeks ago and she is 9 months. I would say keep going with YC and once you have gained a bit confidence go for some adult lessons. good luck
Libby passed her first swimming badge a couple of weeks ago and she is 9 months.
crikey!
is it the "not doing a poo in the swimming pool" badge? :p
missyburd
04-11-09, 08:35 PM
Well posting such a personal thing on an open forum is a brave thing to do
Is it? I don't see it as something I should be ashamed of or afraid of what people will think of me not being able to, at the end of the day I can't swim but desperately want to know how to so I can enjoy myself and mess about in the water with other people instead of looking forlorn at the side of the water. I'd also love to dive having a huge interest in all things under the sea and being able to swim kind of helps in that department :-P
But keep going, as it'll probably just click into place one day:smt023
That's what I'm banking on!
I went for my first swimming lesson Monday so i can't really help with suggestions, but i enjoyed it so much i went back yesterday & enrolled for the Friday course as well so i can go twice a week, like you i'm at the long float stick thingy stage but i thought i got on well with it considering it was my first time in a pool for 35 years, I especially like the feeling when she got me to lie on my back & swim along, felt so peacefull.
Foey that's just how I felt on Monday. I loved the feeling of "being weightless" as YC describes. And despite occasionally getting cross with myself I did thoroughly enjoy my time in the pool and am much looking forward to going back next week and hopefully improving more.
I finally cracked it by using a tummy band, a rope that goes around your tummy with about 8 small square floats. Once i got confident with all the floats it was a gradual process to remove them one at a time until, hey presto, swimming unaided!!
YC's ma suggested chopping up a noodle thing into small sections and attaching them to me somehow (probs by putting them in my swimming costume lol) and then doing a similar thing. I think something like that might actually work as I am fine with a floating aid but when you take it away....
Thanks for all the replies guys and girls. I'm actually surprised at the number of you revealing your inabilities to swim well if at all, thankyou as it really helps to know there are others feeling the same way. As maviczap says it is brave of you to reveal such things on a public forum, (although as previously said I don't see it as brave that I should be doing so!).
beabert
05-11-09, 12:36 AM
Well done you.
I also need to learn to swim, i had never even submerged my ears under water until last month lol.
People say that when you go under water you naturally hold your breath, its opposite when i try it lol, i have a massive urge to breath!
The biggest issue i have is my nose, i have never submerged my head because i think its going to be painful, like when you get that stinging sensation in your nose, its really painful when in the past water has enter my nose involuntarily, i assume this is normal? does this happen when swimming?
barwel1992
05-11-09, 01:16 AM
what i did was go down the deep end then get in the pool and then try and swim on the spot until you can stay in one place and not sink this builds confidence up as you can now float when you start to pannic
basicly just kick with ure feet but do the brest stroke movments and you should stay afload with ure feet pointing straight down do it near the edge of the pool so if you start to go down you can grab on to the side, i could do this when i was 5 i think so easy to do, you will be doing lengths of the pool in no time :)
ps it gets harder when you do the length under water :P trust me hehe
good luck
looking forward to going back next week and hopefully improving more.
Just don't hope to improve too much too quickly hun, enjoy it all is the key, well so i've told myself anyway :D, i realise i will never be any Mark Spitz but so long as i can learn to swim well enough to get in the pool on holiday then that will be fine by me, i'll probably start to go regularly at home though from a fitness/weight loss point of view once the waterwings come off :D, i was the second oldest person in the class on monday but i didn't give a dam because we all had something in common, none of us could swim, keep up the good work & report back to compare notes.
Maybe we could start a "learning to swim" thread like the "running" one.
yorkie_chris
05-11-09, 09:18 AM
i assume this is normal? does this happen when swimming?
No it's very rare. When submerged just blow a little bit of air out of your nose and it prevents this entirely. Or use a proper mask or nose clip.
ps it gets harder when you do the length under water :P trust me hehe
I used to be able to do 2 lengths underwater on a good day. Considering my family pedigree with swimming it's embarrasing that I can't!
maviczap
05-11-09, 09:30 AM
I used to be able to do 2 lengths underwater on a good day. Considering my family pedigree with swimming it's embarrasing that I can't!
That's cos your bellys stopping you getting your head under water as it touches the bottom :p
yorkie_chris
05-11-09, 09:33 AM
Yeah I've got to do widths in the deep end now
the white rabbit
05-11-09, 09:39 AM
Well done to you. I learned to swim as an adult (32-ish). It was hard especially when kids at the pool say 'Mummy look at that man, he can't swim!' etc.
I have no advice for you, I am still a crap swimmer but I can at least swim a bit now. And with proper fins and all snorkelling, especially in the UK, is one of my favourite hobbies (I'd be swept away without the fins though, eek). You'd love that I reckon, all the underwater life. I started to learn to dive and went out a couple of times with friends, but I couldn't qualify as I still had too much fear for some of the activities required. So it does open up a world of possibilities.
When I was learning I was surprised how many adult non-swimmers came out of the woodwork ;)
maviczap
05-11-09, 09:48 AM
Well done to you. I learned to swim as an adult (32-ish). It was hard especially when kids at the pool say 'Mummy look at that man, he can't swim!' etc.
I have no advice for you, I am still a crap swimmer but I can at least swim a bit now. And with proper fins and all snorkelling, especially in the UK, is one of my favourite hobbies (I'd be swept away without the fins though, eek). You'd love that I reckon.
When I was learning I was surprised how many adult non-swimmers came out of the woodwork.
Is it a generational thing? We all learnt at school, both my primary & secondary schools had pools, we also went to the local swimming pools in the school bus.
Swimming was pretty much compulsory. But these days with budgets & H&S considerations then maybe it doesn't get taught at every school. Perhaps I was lucky?
My daugthers primary school filled in their pool, as they 'claimed' it need too much repair work to keep it going. Strangely they built a new building on the site, not long after it had been filled in
But Miss YC, having a goal about swimming underwater with all the fish & beautiful stuff is a great motivation. Even with a snokel & flippers you can see loads, even in this country.
the white rabbit
05-11-09, 10:21 AM
Even with a snokel & flippers you can see loads, even in this country.
The plants like kelp themselves are amaxing let alone anything else. Better than a lot of the med IMO. Great around Pembrokeshire and Cornwall.
I failed to learn as I fell out the loop due to circumstances and my secondary school took the view you were either a great sportsman and one of the boys or put you on the scrapheap. As I couldnt swim by the time I got there it was scapheap. The teachers who took swimming were incapable of dealing with anyone who wasn't a budding star.
Anyway, MYC once you have learned, go and get out into the sea! You won't look back.
maviczap
05-11-09, 10:30 AM
The plants like kelp themselves are amaxing let alone anything else. Better than a lot of the med IMO. Great around Pembrokeshire and Cornwall
Yes, my sister has dived off the Isles of Sciliy, beautiful clear water, which is not something you could say about the East Coast where I live. You can only see you hand in front of your face (just) :p
I've snorkelled in Loch Lomond, which was great, swiming with shoals of Perch and the occaisional Trout. The bottom suddenly drops off in places and you can't see how deep it goes, which is a bit freaky. Its the only time I get a bit worried
Quiff Wichard
05-11-09, 03:46 PM
my mum cant swim.. she is 76 she regrets it big time Maria.. she says she has missed out on sooo much.. holidays, swimming in river with mates when younger and of course swimming with her 3 kids.
good luck.. its easy once you trust yourself to float and begin to enjoy it..
barwel1992
05-11-09, 04:11 PM
I used to be able to do 2 lengths underwater on a good day. Considering my family pedigree with swimming it's embarrasing that I can't!
kwl i can only do a length but im astmacit and carnt hold my breath that long
and lol at the comments relating to this
-Ralph-
05-11-09, 04:16 PM
Posture has a lot to do with swimming ability. I think if you post a picture of yourself in your wet swimsuit we'll be able to offer much better advice ;)
I didn't learn as an adult as both my infants and primary schools had their own pools, but my only advice would be, and I know it might sound stupid, but don't fear the water. Fear leads to panic and panic leads to erm...problems!
Obviously learn in the shallow end so if you have problems then you just put your feet down, and I always found the rectangle floats easiest, then you learn the feet motions, learn how to get properly horizontal etc, before worrying about the arms.
Not read the whole thread, but its an interesting one.
Fortunately I am a strong swimmer, been swimming from about the age of 5. My mum is a swimming teacher and I regularly attended swimming gala events, usually finishing between 1st - 3rd.
This might be a daunting test but what if you tried floating in the swimming pool, then take a deep breath, straighten your legs and sink, your feet will touch the bottom in no time, bend your knees and push yourself to the surface with force.
You will be under the water for all of 5 seconds but atleast you went under the water, could perhaps be a little confidence booster?
Just remember, dont dive in shallow ends.... I did that 'drunk' in Portugal, 5 stitches later.. Yup
Just remember, dont dive in shallow ends.... I did that 'drunk' in Portugal, 5 stitches later.. Yup
Don't attempt a backflip in the deep end of a very small pool either. Didn't go to hospital, but there's a noticeable dent in my nose.
missyburd
06-11-09, 09:49 AM
Well done to you. I learned to swim as an adult (32-ish). It was hard especially when kids at the pool say 'Mummy look at that man, he can't swim!' etc.
That's what I hate, so we've had to find an "adults only" evening so I don't have annoying sprats splashing around me, it's really offputting! :rolleyes:
Is it a generational thing? We all learnt at school, both my primary & secondary schools had pools, we also went to the local swimming pools in the school bus.
The reason why I can't swim now is because of what happened the first time I went swimming with school! I loathed every single trip after that and didn't improve at all, then I loathed it even more when I got a verucca because of it grrrrr.
But Miss YC, having a goal about swimming underwater with all the fish & beautiful stuff is a great motivation. Even with a snokel & flippers you can see loads, even in this country.
This is the main reason why I want to learn, I'd love to dive. Also I don't want to be left out on holidays as people have mentioned, and when I finally travel abroad and find all those beautiful waterfalls I want to be able to have a dip with confidence :-D
Posture has a lot to do with swimming ability. I think if you post a picture of yourself in your wet swimsuit we'll be able to offer much better advice ;)
You're right about the posture Ralph, that was definitely where I was wrong in the beginning but I think you can take my word for that, no pics, you'll only be scarred for life, I'm doing you a favour :p
This might be a daunting test but what if you tried floating in the swimming pool, then take a deep breath, straighten your legs and sink, your feet will touch the bottom in no time, bend your knees and push yourself to the surface with force.
Certainly might be worth a try, cheers :-)
maviczap
06-11-09, 09:59 AM
The reason why I can't swim now is because of what happened the first time I went swimming with school! I loathed every single trip after that and didn't improve at all, then I loathed it even more when I got a verucca because of it grrrrr.
You were unlucky to have such a carp experience, which has affected your confidence for so long.
Good luck with the lessons.
The little sprats still annoy me, when they're splashing about, don't like the cold water any more :( I'd look like a noob if I went swimming in my shortie wet suit ;)
Kate Moss
06-11-09, 10:14 AM
Well done missYC, you are very brave. Not easy over coming fears. Just don't try and rush it, these things take time and practice. I'm sure you will get there.
You need never be out of your depth if you're learning to swim. Don't go any deeper than the point at which you can just keep your head above water with your tiptoes on the floor of the pool until you know you can swim there and swim back. Moments where you go under without wanting to will do you no good at all.
Backstroke is the easiest stroke in the world, you can even forget the arms completely and just kick until you embarrassingly collide with a group of children :)
It's a good way to tell if you're kicking is right too.
missyburd
09-11-09, 11:03 PM
Howdy do folks, thought I'd give you an update.
Well I've been in the pool again this evening and have actually really enjoyed myself this time. Successfully managed to doggie-paddle across the pool on my own (doesn't sound much I know but apparently it's a good thing :-)). Used the noodle under my stomach and practiced the breaststroke arm movements, not got round to coordinating the legs at the same time though. I was told that breaststroke is one of the harder ones to learn, mainly because of the coordination, anyone else think the same? Should it be the next technique I practice or is there an easier one?
I'm feeling lots more comfortable in the water, not panicking as much and managing to push boundaries without feeling afraid of it. I inhale the water a fair bit though which is a problem but as it's a reflex reaction I guess that will just stop happening as often with practice.
To top the evening off on a high note though, a lady joined me in the shower after (cossies were on, calm down lads :-P), her and a friend had been swimming near me earlier and giving me lovely encouraging smiles. She started chatting to me and the conversation went pretty much like this:
Lady: "So how long have you been swimming then?"
Me: "Er not long, had a bad experience at school a number of years ago and haven't been back in the pool since. Came last week for the first time in years."
Lady: "Ah yes I saw you last week actually"
Me: "Really?"
Lady: "Yes, and I wouldn't have thought you'd be swimming this week! Well done!"
:grin::grin::grin: I was so chuffed to hear that, gave me a right boost!
dizzyblonde
09-11-09, 11:09 PM
Well done Maria. Glad you are keeping up with it.
I can swim fine, but really hate going. Getting to the pool to teach Dylan is horrid, glad he started at school :-)
As for the breast stroke, I prefer it, can't do the over arm thing with my shoulders :-( Plus I can't co-ordinate my arms and legs with that one...so go figure. Love breast stroke but it ain't half a big works out.
missyburd
09-11-09, 11:17 PM
Love breast stroke but it ain't half a big works out.
yeah but I think that's what I like about it. I came out of the leisure centre this evening and actually felt tired, that lovely satisfying tiredness, you know you've worked hard then. I didn't feel it last time, I wasn't stretching and pushing myself anywhere near as much as this time.
johnnyrod
10-11-09, 04:52 PM
Hi Miss YC, forgive me for not reading the thread but it's rather long now. I learned to swim when I was 25, and did my first proper length at about 27. Stick at it, I got married last year and went snorkelling with turtles and manta rays, and believe me all the time thrashing around in the pool trying not to drink it all is well worth it. I wish I'd learned to swim when I was a kid but I'm really glad I did later. And I didn't mention the white water rafting in Oz...
missyburd
10-11-09, 05:24 PM
Hi Miss YC, forgive me for not reading the thread but it's rather long now. I learned to swim when I was 25, and did my first proper length at about 27. Stick at it, I got married last year and went snorkelling with turtles and manta rays, and believe me all the time thrashing around in the pool trying not to drink it all is well worth it. I wish I'd learned to swim when I was a kid but I'm really glad I did later. And I didn't mention the white water rafting in Oz...
Hi Johnny, very encouraging post that :-D I too wish to do that sort of thing, I've always wanted to dive but wasn't sure I'd get round to swimming!
As for the white water rafting, I went a couple of years ago in North Wales, couldn't swim then but that didn't stop me loving every minute of it!
johnnyrod
12-11-09, 03:25 PM
I'm still a crap swimmer, no question, still more fighting with the water than slipping through it (ahh, all very Zen) but it's enough that I'm no longer convinced I'm going to drown, and once you have a go in seawater and realise that doing anything but floating is hard, it's a real blast. I did try diving and I'm glad I did but it's not for me, I used up almost the whole tank of air in about 15-20mins I was that nervous.
I can't do breaststroke to save my life, front or back crawl (both fairly hard work), but maybe you should have a go at sidestroke, it's an odd one but surprisingly easy to get the hang of, not a lot of effort, and easy to keep your head up. If you need to, it's the one you use for lifesaving, and once you go snorkelling you can sort of go sideways along like that with fins.
missyburd
12-11-09, 06:24 PM
Thanks for the tips Johnny, I might just tr the sidestroke although I'm determined to master the breaststroke at least a bit!
when i was learning to swim I used a square float thing for my arms and just did my legs once I had got the hang of them I brought my arms into it. I cant do any other stroke except back, which is just floating but with legs and the occasional arm. Learning to dive was one of my things to do before I die but it gets pushed further and further down the list. I cant put my face in the water. I cant even watch people under water on tv. and that advert with the adults and baby underwater omg I nearly hyperventilate.
Dave20046
12-11-09, 07:15 PM
I'll get you some armbands for xmas myc :)
missyburd
12-11-09, 09:05 PM
when i was learning to swim I used a square float thing for my arms and just did my legs once I had got the hang of them I brought my arms into it. I cant do any other stroke except back, which is just floating but with legs and the occasional arm. Learning to dive was one of my things to do before I die but it gets pushed further and further down the list. I cant put my face in the water. I cant even watch people under water on tv. and that advert with the adults and baby underwater omg I nearly hyperventilate.
Oh heck Hazel that sounds awful. But learning to dive can still be on your list of things to do, just think when you take Libby to the pool :-)
I'll get you some armbands for xmas myc :)
Shouldn't be needing 'em in a fortnight! :pirat: :p
Mrs_giggles
12-11-09, 11:16 PM
swimming is all about confidence,just like learning to do anything start small and slowley push boundries each time.about panicking when your head goes under just try to stay calm and possibly(this is only suggestion all people are different) use a float to keep you above water and put yourself under water just your head mind and get used to the feeling and you possibly will become more confident in the fact you WILL NOT drown ergo less panicking. i learnt to swim at an early age and also have done many things with my horse which if you look at it could scare the bgeebers out of you if you thaught abouit it too much.
the best way to learn or build up confidence is to have fun / enjoiy what you are doing then you are not overthinking everything you learn without thinking. try some fun games like improving your kick action by holding onto side of pool and kicking as hard as poss(lots of fun trying to spach yc)
there are lots of games you can play to assist with breathing and getting used to being under water like picking things off bottom of pool, swiming thriugh hoops(whenever feeling confident enough)
BanditPat
13-11-09, 12:53 AM
Remember the technique...Pick and apple, put it in your pocket. Pick an apple, put it in your pocket...
speedplay
13-11-09, 01:27 AM
Remember the technique...Pick and apple, put it in your pocket. Pick an apple, put it in your pocket...
Dont bother, youll only drown.
trying to think of Apples and clothing while trying to learn to swim is useless...
Had my first real lesson with the propper instructor on Monday & he gave us a talk before getting in the water & said that we would have to do things we didn't really want to do to learn to swim propperly, one of those things was put our heads in the water, i struggled to start as i wear contact lenses & had to keep my eyes shut, the instructor threw me a pair of goggles & hey presto problem solved, by the end of the hour we were pushing off from half way along the pool floating along & kicking with our feet to the end of the pool, can't wait for tonights lesson (if my goggles turn up today). :D
missyburd
13-11-09, 10:03 AM
Cheers Gemma. You're right about having fun and enjoying time in the pool, I was grinning for most of the session last week and am very much looking forward to next monday!
What's the pick an apple put it in your pocket thing about, is it to do with diving to the bottom? Cos I thought apples floated :-k :p
missyburd
16-11-09, 11:12 PM
Update!
Managed the frontcrawl this week! Not for long as my breathing technique is all wrong, I appear to be concentrating so much on what my arms are doing I forget to breathe and as a result only get half a width across :rolleyes: But it's coming on, and the encouraging words from all the nice ladies in the pool helps lots :-D
I'm really relaxing a bit now although I haven't yet mastered the whole floating on your back thing but hopefully with time. Finding it so enjoyable now I don't think I'm drowning :-D
I'm really relaxing a bit now although I haven't yet mastered the whole floating on your back thing but hopefully with time.
Snap, apparently the key to floating on your back is to push your hips upwards but i struggle with that as yet, how do you get on floating face down though, i managed that first time which to me seems a bit wierd.
missyburd
17-11-09, 11:43 AM
Snap, apparently the key to floating on your back is to push your hips upwards but i struggle with that as yet, how do you get on floating face down though, i managed that first time which to me seems a bit wierd.
Not actually tried floating on my front...although Chris did get me take a deep breath, push off from the side and sort of float head first in the water, I suppose that's the same. Did that first time too!
The frontcrawl was weirdly easy to get to grips with though as I was already doing long arm strokes under water (like a dog) so then I just brought my arms up and over further and bingo! frontcrawl :-D
I haven't yet mastered the whole floating on your back thing but hopefully with time.
Don't worry about it. I've been a happy, confident swimmer for well over 30 years (even doing some scuba diving in my youth) and I still can't float on my back without moving my hands a little.
Don't worry about it. I've been a happy, confident swimmer for well over 30 years (even doing some scuba diving in my youth) and I still can't float on my back without moving my hands a little.
simple solution - eat more lard!
ManxMatt34
17-11-09, 08:58 PM
I havn't read 10 pages of posts on this.
I know several people around your age who can't swim MYC actually, atleast seeing the odd bits of this thread looks like your slowly getting there like anything it takes bloody time :P.
I think the main thing is to use the advice given for biking.... relax.... don't tense up ... as always easier said than done as on a bike. Think of it like that though. Some things will come quicker to others or more naturally... but you'll get there eventually! Goodluck with it though!
missyburd
17-11-09, 09:04 PM
Thanks Matt :-) I'm enjoying it more each week and something improves each time too which is always encouraging!
RatchetJob
14-12-09, 12:13 PM
Hi MYC,
I haven't replied to this post before now as there has been nothing of value that I could add other than, "I'm in (or should that be not in) the same boat."
I had a few swimming lessons as a child (about 9-10) and the teacher was useless, not to mention there were two school classes (so about 50 kids) at each lesson. So one to one tuition for those that weren't grasping the concept never happened.
As a consequence, I grew up never being able to swim, float, tread water - nothing. Think the same level as a three year old who has never been in the water.
I was never afraid of water and I actually was a competition rower in my late teens. In fact looking back now I did take quite a few risks in that regard as we didn't wear lifejackets and there was quite a real risk of capsizing.
In the last few years I have thought to myself, I really do need to learn how to swim, someday I'm going to find myself in a situation when I wished I could. Whether that's reef diving for pleasure or falling into a lake and trying to save myself.
I looked around for adult swimming lessons for those who were less than beginners. Finding adult swimming courses was difficult enough, and the ones I found were for improvers (who knew something about swimming) and were a set term which you couldn't start midway through the course.
Needless to say I never found one that was starting when I was looking. So the years passed and I still never learned.
I hated the idea of going to the local pool and splashing around looking like a pillock :bigsmurf:.
However, things have changed in recent weeks. I've been sent abroad with work for a few months and there is no one I know out here yet. I'm staying in a hotel and there's not much to do in the evenings, but they do have a pool.
During the week it probably gets about 10 people in all day, and in the evenings you can have the place to yourself for hours. When I got here I thought I might as well do something useful with the long dark evenings so I decided to teach myself how to swim...if possible.
I'm progressing well in my opinion, and I could write pages on what I did but I don't want to hijack your thread. However in a week and a half I've gone from a complete swimming virgin to swimming a length (about 10m) with the breast stroke unaided (and breathing) for the first time last night.
How are you coming along?
yorkie_chris
14-12-09, 12:18 PM
We missed last week but she did really well the week before, length where we go is 25m so she's been doing widths across a different part of pool, about 10m. She seems to be managing that with front crawl easily and managed to do breast stroke week before last too :-D
RatchetJob
14-12-09, 12:31 PM
Nice one. I have the advantage of going for an hour each night, so I can see a little bit of progress everyday.
I went for the breast stroke first because I could never get any power out of my legs until I learned about the frog kick. Once I saw I could generate some force against the water I got a little bit of confidence because knew I wouldn't have to rely completely on my arms to do the work.
Quiff Wichard
14-12-09, 02:09 PM
well chuffed for ya Miss YC.
I hated swimming as a kid.. now I go 3 times a week.. trying to lose weight and bad ankle wont let me exercise too vigourous so swimming ideal..
off in half hour to o 40 lengths.! nice.. takes me about 45 mins with a few rests in 4 length stints.. getting it quicker .
I took my waterprrof watch and timed 2 lengths as fast as I could. 1 min 10 seconds. thought that not too bad 50 metres in just over a minute-
got home
looked up the world record for 50m breastroke...
27 seconds ! Oh my god- me have a long way to go.
27 seconds ?? I arent even half way across the first 25 metres by then and they finished ! ..
dotn give up keep goin.
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