How old were you when you learned to swim?

Question

I am particularly interested in adult experiences. What method did the instructor use? What was the most difficult part of learning for you?

Answer 1

I was about 32 when I really learned how to swim, I could swim a bit but realistically I didn't know what I was doing. I went to a community college and took a triathlon class. As it turns out I spend a good deal of time in the pool with the tri coach just working on my swimming form. It was pretty frustrating for me because I was a pretty good runner and I thought I should be a good swimming also, unfortunately it doesn't work that way and I’ve spend many, many years trying to become a better swimmer. The most difficult part for me was realizing that I was a horrible swimmer and would never be as fast as the other swimmers. Also, putting yourself out there (at 30+ years old) trying to pick up a new sport was difficult and intimidating. Fortunately I made some great friend and they all helped me. The coach was just patient with me and taught me the proper way to swim, nothing out of the ordinary.

I learned that all my swimming buddies are great folks, willing to help, have a great time and offer encouragement. Of course, I did swim the with same group for about 4 years so we became pretty friendly.

Good luck!

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

3

Answer 4

I grew up on a lake and started swimming early. My Mom enrolled my sisters and I in a swim class just so we wouldn't drown in the lake. I didn't know any of the strokes and swam freestyle with my head above the water. My big thing was to see how far I could swim underwater before coming up for air. I basically knew enough so I could keep my head above water and not drown.

When I was about 31-32 years old I enrolled in a swim class at a community college. I basically had to learn how to swim from scratch. We did all 4 stroks, but mostly freestyle. My biggest challenge was breathing. I could never intake enough oxygen. I did one sememster of swimming, then never swam again for about 5 years and took up triathlons. I bought a book, "Total Immersion" and this retrained me on how to swim efficiently (not kicking much and swimming on your side). For the first 3-4 weeks all I did were drills until I was ready to actually try swimming. I struggled with breathing again and it eventually came. I had good days and bad days. I swam 3 days a week since this was my weak area in triathlons and I eventually became comfortable enough to make it through a race without stopping and resting.
I have now been swimming for almost two years. During my training season I swim 3 days a week, sometimes 4 when I do open water swimming and the off season I'll swim once or twice a week.
I probably rank in the top 15-20% in my age group.

Answer 5

6

Answer 6

I was a baby, I couldn't even walk yet. I slipped out of my floaty raft and started paddling. I took lessons from there, joined the swim team in high school and became a mermaid at SeaWorld at 17. I'm no longer a mermaid anymore but I swim every day and go diving. I can now hold my breathe underwater for 7.32 minutes, so accomplishments I guess.

Answer 7

i started at about 9 months old in the pool by 1 and a half, by myself in swim lessons, and since then i have become a permanent water bug, I am now 21 years old, competitively swam in high school, and i lifeguard and teach swim lessons,

most of the group lessons i taught were small children but most of the private lessons i taught were to adults, who either had previous experience that were traumatic, or never had much time near and in the water. I think one of the hardest things for them was relaxing, and floating, and also putting there faces in the water. Many people are afraid to put their faces in the water.

Answer 8

i took lessons from when in was like four to like six then i jus swam at the pool for a long time every day. my friend was on swim team and i wached her practice once and i tought it would be really fun so i tried it at nine and have loved it ever since and i am now 13. i turned 13 december 27

Answer 9

Age isn't a situation to verify swimming. technique? no longer a huge deal. All you will desire to do is to push water below and alongside your physique alongside with your palms (one by one or contained in the comparable time) and flow your legs contained in the comparable time, such as you opt to push greater water at the back of you. a situation would be while you're nervous of water having worry of swimming. in case you have worry, then start up discovering in basic terms in water that's no longer deeper than your physique (neck). bypass to deeper water in basic terms when you're very particular you could swimm for longer time, long sufficient to get lower back the place from you left and would relax. sturdy success!

Answer 10

about 4, i learned how to doggy paddle.at 6 learned freestyle and at 7 back.
i joined a swimteam at age 8 and they taught me to swim breast and butterfly

for me, butterfly was the was challenging because if you dont breath at the right time, its really tiring to keep swimming it