Tips to learn swimming for a 22 year old!?

Question

I am 22 years old and I dont know swimming at all. I have just started using a nearby pool for about a week. There is no one to teach me, but I asked a lifeguard to teach me on the first day and he told me to hold on to a flutter board and move my legs up and down without bending the knees. Now I can move through the water for a very short distance (3m) in this way, but after some point I just stop moving forward.

Somebody else suggested that I try doggy paddle. I started moving my limbs randomly without knowing what I was doing and simply ended up drinking lot of chlorinated water.

I regret not learning swimming earlier in life, though it was partially the fault of my parents and my school that they did not inculcate this necessary skill. I'd like to rectify this handicap and want to progress with my swimming. Please let me know what else I could try to get started with swimming. Thanks for yout time.

Answer 1

I"m guessing u moved 3 metres was becaused u pushed yrself off the wall. The energy comes from the tighs. Yr feet should be straight out. Try moving yr hips more cause they're the ones that propell u forward. And of course keep yr body straight and afloat. Not too rigid. Relax and keep paddling. When u're good enough he'll teach u free-style. Remember u move when u push the water flowing against u. Forget doggy paddle. Ain't gonna get u no where.

Answer 2

im a water polo player, and ive been swimming since i was about 18 months old. honestly, i applaud you for having the courage to learn how to swim.

somethings that would be good to learn is how to do an "eggbeater" treading water, freestyle and how to do a breast stroke.

an eggbeater is quite simple, you pretend like you're sitting in a chair in the water, and you rotate your legs in the opposite directions from each other, so one leg going clockwise and the other going counter clockwise and you keep your hands in the water, moving them back and forth, which is called sculling.
for a freestyle...you rotate your arms, kind of like a windmill, when your arm is perpendicular to your head, your elbow bends and you pull through the water with that hand. while youre doing this rotation with both hands, you do what that lifeguard told you to do, and thats called flutter kick, where you dont bend your legs, and kick up and down.

if all else fails, you can either come to san francisco, and ill teach you how to swim or you can watch the olympic swimmers do it, cause their form is waaayyy better than mine.

good luck, i know you can do it!

pilar

Answer 3

Your best bet would be to enroll in a Red Cross Basic Swimmer course. There are Intermediate and Advanced Swimmer courses as well. Check the internet for local courses in your area.

Answer 4

You can enroll in a swimming class no matter what age you are.

Check with local YMCA for rates!

Answer 5

okay, that's really difficult for persons who not have practice, but, you can test the much as you can making this... do you have a body, huh? So, if you have a body and you're alive, you can try this, and enjoy your 22 years old, cause you're young.

I think i´m helping you, okay?
bye! =)

Answer 6

u can go to a pool n jump in qwater but be sure u dnt drown it ok,u need no one to teach,bz itz nt anythng technical as a 4 weeler ok,u r matured enough

Answer 7

My only suggestion is to make sure that you stay calm. When you are nervous your body will seize up and you will sink right a way. So, make sure to breathe and just let it work naturally.

Answer 8

sign up for swimming lessons from a professional

Answer 9

ymca is rather cheap. thats where i go