Learning to swim as an Adult...

[royalfan5]

So tomorrow, I have my first adult swimming lesson. I had some lessons when I was little, and can swim to the degree where I am not a threat to myself while in the water, but I have no sort of technique either. I've decided that taking up swimming would be a good lifelong fitness activity, so I want to learn to do it well. Has anybody here taken up swimming as adult, or is a regular swimmer that has any useful tips?

 

[thestrangequark]

This is pretty cool! Most people whom I've met who didn't learn as children are uninterested in learning as adults. I'm afraid I can't give many tips on learning as an adult, as I started as an infant, but I think the overall most important thing to do is to stay relaxed. When you're relaxed in the water you float better and move more freely.

 

[royalfan5]

This is pretty cool! Most people whom I've met who didn't learn as children are uninterested in learning as adults. I'm afraid I can't give many tips on learning as an adult, as I started as an infant, but I think the overall most important thing to do is to stay relaxed. When you're relaxed in the water you float better and move more freely.

My Grandpa learned to swim in his late 60's, so I figure it's at least a little bit of a family tradition to learn later in life.

 

[Shanndee]

I envy you Royalfan5. I am so afraid of the water I can barely paddle around in the shallow end of a pool. (I was thrown in the water as a child and dropped like a stone. I took in a lot of water before anyone came to get me).

I tried adult swimming lessons a few years back, but I had a panic attack and was told by the instructor to sign up for private lessons until I got some confidence.

I'm not sure private lessons will help with the fact that waves are sentient and they are coming to get me...

I think what you are doing is great! Good luck and have fun!

 

[Alpha Romeo]

I grew up on and in the water so never understood NOT swimming. It's second nature to me. The key is to relax and know your limits.

 

[Kestra]

So tomorrow, I have my first adult swimming lesson. I had some lessons when I was little, and can swim to the degree where I am not a threat to myself while in the water, but I have no sort of technique either. I've decided that taking up swimming would be a good lifelong fitness activity, so I want to learn to do it well. Has anybody here taken up swimming as adult, or is a regular swimmer that has any useful tips?

I'm going to second what tsq said and agree that it's very cool that you are doing this. Swimming can be excellent exercise but it can also just be very enjoyable. I learned to swim as a child but my sister-in-law only recently learned to swim. She did what you're doing, and started taking lessons. You'll get all the instruction you need so I don't have any technical tips. Just try not to tense up and be patient with yourself.

I hope the lessons go well and you enjoy yourself. More adults should take the time to learn how to swim!

 

[Holdfast]

If you ask me, the best thing about swimming pools is that they're frequently found near sun-loungers and waitresses bringing me cocktails...

Having said that, learning to swim is a good idea. I'd be lying if I said I was a proficient swimmer (I reached about the same level as the great Arnold Rimmer, in fact...) but learning enough to stay afloat and move in roughly the right direction is a good life skill to have. Even if, like me, you only tend to venture in to cool off briefly before returning to the shade of a large parasol...

Like most things, it responds to practice. Beyond that, I can't think of any tips. Oh just one; humans float if they remember to relax. Seriously, when I was learning to swim as a kid, just remembering that fact helped me.

 

[auntiehill]

I've been swimming since I was 4 or 5 and can't remember NOT being able to swim or being comfortable in the water. My parents FORCED us to learn to swim; there was no question about it. They had to force us into the pool, but once we learned how to swim, they couldn't get us OUT of the pool.

The most important thing is to relax; you are in control of the entire situation. The water is just WATER. It won't hurt you; you might hurt yourself if you panic, but you are in complete control. First thing is to float--it seems silly, but just practice floating and keeping your head in the water. Get very comfortable with being under the water, so that you know how long you can hold your breath, when to exhale and when to come up for air. Make the pool feel like a second home, and then start learning the proper technique. Then start working on simply turning your head to breathe, instead of lifting your head entirely out of the water. You'll do fine.

 

[bbailey861]

Kudos to you, royalfan5!!! Learning a new physical activity as an adult is fantastic. I can only echo what others have said here, stay relaxed and have fun. I am sure your instructors will have had a lot of experience teaching other adults. Stick with it and you will succeed, and with success, you will have an activity under your belt that will help keep you fit. Way to go.

 

[Kirby]

Good for you Royalfan! I wish my wife would take some lessons. She can swim, but is very uncomfortable in the water. I took a few lessons as a kid, but joined our neighborhood swim team when I was in 4th grade because a good friend of mine was on it, and convinced me. That swim team was the best thing that happened to me, and the coaches were great. I learned a lot, and went to state twice in the 50m breast stroke (insert your own joke here). Through that I also earned my Red Cross water certification and was a life guard for a couple years in high school.
Being a strong swimmer is a great thing, especially if you have kids. Both of my kids are very comfortable in the water because I felt comfortable taking them in the pool when they were both very young.

 

[sonak]

don't watch "dark page" before swimming lessons.

 

[Balrog]

Adult Swim?

I had to say it.

Well done, Royalfan!

 

[JarodRussell]

How to swim successfully:

Step 1. Start swimming.

Step 2. There is no step 2.

 

[RoJoHen]

It's always been curious to me how people can go their whole lives without learning how to swim. It just seems like one of those things that people would do instinctively in the water.

 

[thestrangequark]

^Most animals can swim instinctively, usually by using the same walking motion they would on land to propel themselves through water. Humans and chimps are among the animals that can't swim instinctively (and I don't think chimps can learn, but I may be wrong).

 

[Shanndee]

It certainly wasn't instinctive to me when I was thrown in the water and I sank like a stone! Numerous bad experiences followed and I now accept the fact that the waves are sentient and they are out to get me!

That's why I admire adults who decide to learn to swim. My phobia is so pronounced at this point that I'm not sure I could overcome it (even with private lessons).

So kudos to everyone who tries!

 

[royalfan5]

I survived my first lesson. For some reason I was able to pick up the backstroke pretty well for a beginner. I also shipped an awful lot of pool water as my conditioning for swimming and breathing while in the water have significant room for improvement. All in all a good start I think.

 

[Captain_Nick]

So tomorrow, I have my first adult swimming lesson. I had some lessons when I was little, and can swim to the degree where I am not a threat to myself while in the water, but I have no sort of technique either. I've decided that taking up swimming would be a good lifelong fitness activity, so I want to learn to do it well. Has anybody here taken up swimming as adult, or is a regular swimmer that has any useful tips?

Hey mate

I don't really have any tips to add - I'm in the same boat as you. Swimming has been on my learning list for a while now.

I learned how to ride a bike about a year ago though. The big lesson for me was to just keep at it, keep practicing until the body got used to it and something just 'clicked' in the mind. (best feeling in the world, imo)

Practice and you can swim your way to Carnegie Hall

 

[thestrangequark]

Congrats on the first lesson! That's awesome! Just wait until you are confident enough to dive. The best part about being able to swim is jumping off high things without dying!

 

[Sysyphyx]

l came here thinking there would be some in-depth, mind-blowing discussions on shows such as Squidbillies and Boondocks. lnstead its somebody looking for tips on how to smuggle drugs through the shark-infested waters between Cuba and Florida.

My advice: use a raft, dude.