I would very much love to learn how to swim. I don't have a fear of water, because I have tried to hold on the pool ledge and submerge my whole head and body in the water, and let myself breathe out slowly underwater. But everytime I attempt to relax myself, with my hands swishing the water and legs off the pool floor, I panick and take in a huge gulp of water and just can't start swimming.
Can anyone help me? What do I have to do to get rid of that fear of kicking off the pool floor?
2006-08-03 22:50:12 · 8 answers · asked by vintageprincess72 4 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
Congratulations to you for taking the first steps in learning how to swim!
I taught swimming for several years and since you can submerge your whole head and body in the water and let yourself breathe out slowly underwater, I believe you can definitely learn to swim.
My suggestion is to go to some local swimming pools such as a YMCA or a pool where you can get a trial membership. Ask for the head of their recreation program and/or the pool director.
(From the name you have selected for yourself, and the wording/phrasing of your question, I am assuming that you are an adult who has been out of school for a little while.)
So, I am going to encourage you to ask the director to recommend a more mature adult who is excellent and has a great deal of experience in working with adults.
Teaching an adult, although similar in some respects, is also very different in many other ways from teaching children to swim. Adults tend to intellectualize and try to think through much of the lesson. Children tend to imitate and utilize more of a physical learning style. An experienced mature instructor can give you exercises while they are pool side or in the water with you.
You want someone who is patient and who can break down the different components of swimming into several different skills which you can practice until you are proficient, confident and comfortable with each one, and begin to blend them together in a safe, encouraging environment.
A good instructor will be able to demonstrate the skills, and help you to correctly perform the necessary breathing skills, along with the correct arm, head, and leg motions, attain the correct body postures, and practice them at first with her helping to hold you in the correct position in the water.
Having the instructor in the water with you will help you to feel safe and comfortable with your feet off the bottom and your body in proper alignment for the particular stroke.
While there is a philosophy of using water wings, belts and jackets, I don't recommend it. These devices tend to place your body in the incorrect position for strokes and your goal is to learn how to swim and thereby, overcome your fear of water. (Although maintaining a healthy respect for the potential dangers inherent with water is important.)
Stay in water which is a depth that you can stand in until the instructor asks you to go a little further out. Stay within arms reach or so, of the side of the pool when practicing by yourself, so that you can feel safe and not worry about not being "in control" of the situation. You are!
If you get a good instructor and practice several times a week (being sure that you are doing the exercises correctly), I believe that you can be in the water, swimming your first strokes within 8-12 weeks. You CAN do it with your motivation and desire and with perseverence and a good teacher!
Go for it!
2006-08-05 09:54:44 · answer #1 · answered by Friend 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just take it slow, do not have a lifeguard teach you, have a real swimmer
Do not use any floating products they inhibit learning how to really swim. Practice in water with you can stand in.
Push yourself you will NOT feel comfortable at first but that is how you get over all fears. A little pain for a lot of gain.
Good luck I truly hope you overcome your fear and enjoy the water.
2006-08-04 15:32:14 · answer #2 · answered by DC UNITED / Nationals FAN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put on a PFD (personal floatation device), then play around in the pool until you get comfortable, then try taking it off (You can always put it back on) about $14 at sporting goods or marine stores. You'll float like a cork, no matter what happens
2006-08-04 05:57:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in the water just take your time. The more experience you have the less you will fear it and the more comfortable you will become. take a class or some lessons. good luck and enjoy.
2006-08-04 06:24:38 · answer #4 · answered by the answer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, in order to conquer your fear you have to do what you want, conquer it. tell yourself that you can do it, then do it. start with kicking with a kickboard, its good for developing the bases of swimming. For the rest, GO GET SWIMMING LESSONS!
2006-08-04 14:09:31 · answer #5 · answered by thibault p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
slowly submerge your self in the pool then use a floaty
2006-08-04 20:31:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a lesson at your community pool
2006-08-04 14:07:54 · answer #7 · answered by Leah 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not try swimming with a float first
2006-08-04 05:59:51 · answer #8 · answered by ME 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋