Learning to swim as an adult

[DarrenSV650S]

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.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

When I know I'm going underwater I don't panic and can hold my breath fine.

Originally Posted by Gene genie

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

[Bri w]

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]

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.

Originally Posted by Bri w

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.

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

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]

I was a good swimmer when I was younger, use to do 1000 - 2500M, now can barely do 1000 without dying.

[maviczap]

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

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

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!