is it ok not to be able to swim?

Question

im not a very good swimmer im 15 years old. is that ok not to be able to swim. also i cant go down water slides is that ok. what if somone forces me to do something that i dont want to do while in the water. i cant go under water or dive.

Answer 1

if you avoid water for the rest of your life, I guess. But why not take swimming lessons? You may need it one day. Maybe you'll fall out of an airplane into the sea, or get trapped in a Katrina-like flood...and then what?

Plus you would be missing out on all that fun at the beach, waterslides, bbq's, etc. It's not worth it to be scared and miss all that stuff. You're only young once.

Also, not sure about you, but when i was in high school, we had to pass the swim exam or else we couldn't graduate.

Answer 2

It is nothing to be ashamed of but you really should learn. Especially if you live near water or go to pools often. You might be able to save a life if you know how to swim and resuscitate someone. Waterslides are great fun and swimming is good exercise so I think you should find out if your parents can book you in for lessons. It will boost your confidence too if you don't have to stress about looking silly in the water.

Answer 3

not being able to swim is different than not being a strong swimmer....always remember to trust yourself...that is the key to being a better swimmer....practice going under water, floating, and treading water when you don't have the pressure of your friends...then when some but* head pushes u under u won't panic. water slides r fun and u may be missing out... i held my nose until i was an adult, then learned that if you breath out though your nose water won't go up it, then i could dive and swim better. good luck and practice, you can only get better!

Answer 4

You don't have to be a spectacular swimmer, but everyone should learn how to tread water and swim under water. A couple of swimming lessons should bring you up to speed. Check out the lessons your community college.

Answer 5

It's ok not being able to swim, but if you have the oportunity to learn, then why not? It wont hurt you. And if you do go down a water slide, dont forget you can sometimes land on your feet, and dont even have to get your hair wet. Also remember to always keep your mouth open, because the instinct is to draw air thru your nose (and trust me, you dont wanna do that).

Answer 6

I was 12 when I started swimming lessons. But all the kids were younger than me, so I quit. But don't worry. Unless you drop out of a plane or jump off a boat, you'll be fine. Most slides end in water that is 4 feet deep. I assume you are taller than that by at least a foot, so don't worry:)!!

Answer 7

No, you should be able to swim enough to save your life. What if you have a child and are at the pool and the child falls in, and there is noone around but you? You never know where you will end up on life, and you need to know how to swim...it's a basic safety technique.

Answer 8

Not knowing how to swim is similar to not knowing how to drive. How important is the skill where you live? Don't let anyone talk you into doing anything you don't want to do. I can swim, but I don't dive into pools or lakes etc. My grandmother never learned to swim, she would only wade into waist deep water and I never saw anyone "forcing" her to do something [she] didn't want to do.

Answer 9

I think it is very unsafe to not know how to swim. Why not get lessons at the YMCAor the local pool? The more you know how to swim, the more confidant you will be around the water.

Answer 10

No there's nothing wrong with it but it is sad. The hardest part is getting past the fear which when it comes to swimming is debilitating. Try the YMCA, they might have classes for older people. You will miss out on a lot of things if you don't learn, I think you should go for it!!