Learning to swim as an adult

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]

Originally Posted by the white rabbit

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.

Originally Posted by maviczap

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]

Originally Posted by the white rabbit

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)

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

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..

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

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

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

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Stuuk1

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.