I'm an adult non-swimmer, having not been taught when I was a kid (I'm not sure how that happened, both my siblings learned!) Every summer I say that I'm going to learn to swim, because I feel like I can't enjoy myself when the kids go to the pool, or go to the water park. If something were to happen to them, I couldn't even try and intervene. This summer I decided to fix that. My local municipal pool doesn't provide any swimming instruction for adults (I was hoping for private lessons), but it turns out the pool's Assistant Manager has taught adults before so I signed up directly with him and my first lesson is on Wednesday. My hope is to do 3 lessons a week (except this week since I had a conflict) until I have a base of skills strong enough that I can join a group class at the Y (which is about a 45 minute drive, but is offered in the evenings.) Anyone else learned to swim as an adult?
Yes. I did, in my 20s. My wife helped me - she was a very good swimmer. My father had tried unsuccessfully to teach me many things, including swimming, when I was a kid. Swimming was like the other things - first mistake and he got angry, walked a way, muttering and and fuming. Time after time - same result until mercifully, he gave up. My wife managed to undo completely the damage done by Dad's attempts at instruction. My progress was pretty quick and I remember our swimming across a fair-sized lake together, in Muskoka. That was in 1969. I hardly ever swim now, but I still can. It's like riding a bicycle - and yes, I can still do that, too. I learned that by myself, as a kid. I knew better than to ask Dad.
Yes it is, Steve. And sometimes I imagine myself swimming with the Brazilian model I mentioned in an earlier post, in the waters of her country. That's REALLY great. She sure has a lot of wonderful swimsuits. I've seen many of them - there are hundreds of Internet pictures. But that's her job, of course.
Finally did my first lesson! (The previous two were cancelled because of bad weather.) I mostly practiced kicking using the kickboard and floating (which I can't do successfully yet). My leg and calf muscles got a serious workout and I came home famished but feeling very satisfied. Looking forward to the next one!
"Swimming is a confusing sport, because sometimes you do it for fun, and other times you do it to not die. And when I'm swimming, sometimes I'm not sure which one it is." -- Demetri Martin I taught myself to swim one summer at our municipal pool when I was 10. It was an Olympic-length pool, with shallow ends and a diving portion in the middle, which was 12 feet deep. To be allowed there--either to dive from the deck on one side or the diving boards on the other--you had to show the life guard you could swim the short way (across the undivided lanes, about 50 meters in total) and back without stopping. It took me almost all summer, but I did it. I started with dog-paddling, then moved to a breast-stroke under water. Then, I learned to do a crawl with my head above water. Finally, I worked on being able to swim face down while turning to breathe. All summer long our main lifeguard, Akela, encouraged me. I did it, and took on my next challenge: the 3-meter board. (Which looked like a high tower to a kid.) Lesson: It can be learned at any age. I've remained an indifferent swimmer, but I'm safe in and around the water, which is nice.
I know, huh! We used to kid her about that. I was only ten, but I still remember flaxen hair, white teeth in a shining smile, and a one-piece that....well...maybe time has embellished a little. Never saw her again after that summer. Sigh....
My first week of lessons is down! I'm proceeding slowly but I'm getting there. I'm working my way up to gliding on the water. I haven't tried to float yet, but I'm able to go underwater for ~5 seconds (which is 4 more than when I started!) It feels like a lot of progress for what is effectively 90 minutes of instruction. I've read online that most swimmers take between 10-25 hours of instruction to become basic swimmers. This instructor usually does around 10 lessons, and based on my progress so far I think I'll be ready to join a group class.
Wednesday will be my last lesson with this instructor. It's been really good. I can keep my head under water for as long as I can exhale for, glide into the water without assistance, and swim using a freestyle stroke for 10 yards. I'm hoping I can now join some evening group lessons and continue to build my proficiency. I recommend anyone nervous about swimming take up some lessons. Once I got into it, it really wasn't bad at all.
Great job sir. As a 5 year veteran of being an official with USA Swimming, I congratulate you! It is my third job, besides teaching and running a library
I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but you're swimming! Mix in your breathing technique and you're home free. Great stuff!
Congratulations, Dustin! You should be very proud. Like I have said too, you never know when those swimming skills will come in handy.
I think I should follow your lead. This story just popped up on my CNN app. 647 people drown each day. Here's how to avoid being one of them https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/drowning-water-safety-tips-wellness/index.html
I learned to swim as a kid and water was the only place where I could come to rest during summer In fact as a child I was obsessed with mermaids haha. I wanted to be one.
"Swimming is a confusing sport, because sometimes you do it for fun, and other times you do it to not die. And when I'm swimming, sometimes I'm not sure which one it is." Demetri Martin
