Learning to swim
How many adults do you think there are that cannot swim ? I haven't yet found Australia statistics but in America it is realised that 64% of adults are afraid in deep water in the ocean and in lakes, 46% are afraid in deep water in pools and 39% are afraid putting their heads underwater. (Gallup Poll, 1998.) I'll try and find more recent stats.
As a child I had a near drowning experience (during lessons mind you) and as such was never taught how to swim. In my early years at high school I decided to teach myself. Within a year or so I recall the excitement when I jumped in the deep end of the pool and had finally eliminated all fear.
That was over 20 years ago. I can happily say I am no longer afraid of the water and have actually saved 3 people from drowning. Not a bad effort for a self-instructed student.
Recently, while watching my 2 boys learn to swim, I decided I might join up with the adult swimming classes and get taught properly (after 75m of freestyle I'm out of puff). Last night was my first class and I can happily report I don't have that much to concentrate on. The findings were:
- I cannot float on my back - I already knew that
- My breathing needs perfecting - the fear of swallowing water as a child has led to some bad habits I need to break
- My kicking needs some perfecting
- and more (I'm sure) as the lessons proceed....
It's great to know everything else (for freestyle) is pretty good and all I need to concentrate on is perfecting the small issues and then bring it all together so I am more efficient in the water.
I'll report as time moves forward.
3 Comments:
hey, i am a swim instructor, and i have seen many adults successfully learn to swim, and i know you can do it, good luck. It is easy, and if you have the drive to do it you will succeed
i do't how to swim but would like to learn by myself,can you guide..
The best suggestion is to find a local club that offers adult swimming lessons. That's what I did.
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