Learning to swim, any tips?

[windysim]

i learned swimming when i was 6 years old.
first i was kinda afraid that i won't be able to make it but i did
you have to trust your guts and of course your coach!!!

[missey]

please could someone help me keep my legs a float, this is my 2nd lesson and i can't relax.

I think i will never be able to swim if i can't stay a float.

Does anyone have any tips on this.?

[tiggerai]

Missey,

Don't fret, it doesn't come naturally... the harder you kick the better you can keep your legs up. Some people don't naturally float.

Depends what you're trying to do really.

Just stick with it... it'll click eventually.

If you're not relaxing, get yourself a couple of floats, one under each arm (hold the top and put the rest of your arm over it) and have a practise by yourself, outside of a lesson... get used to how moving in the water feels on both your back and front... practise putting your face in and breathing out...

Gimme a bit more idea on what you're doing and what you're struggling with and I'm happy to help.

Tigs

[missey]

Tigs'

I feel so embarssed i can't get my legs up, does that sound stupid ?

I think i am still very nervous, although the lady in my class that started with me can do it.
I am going to try tonight some of the tips.

Any advice very welcome i will give myself a medal if i even get these legs up.

[godsdog]

Easiest way to get into the kicking habit is holding onto the side (in the shallow end), arms stretched out, on your stomach and learning to kick from there. You should also learn to relax in water from there too. As with all learner swimmers it's the instinctive fighting and fear reaction that makes you sink and induces panic.

So take your time and get into doing the small individual things first. Do them till they come naturally. So short vertical leg kicks (front crawl) in the shallow end holding onto the side is a great place to start.

I would also pick a decent time for doing it too. Many pools have over 50's ladies classes availabe. Well worth investigating. Better place to learn too.

[Zak33]

goggles

I'm not kidding.....speedo goggles.

Human Nature is to stutter and hold your breath, panic and then breathe in a gasp....when water washes over your face.

When you have goggles on, that reflex disappears.

I swim quite well, and can manage 50 or 60 lengths in a pool, but I can only do it properly with goggles on. It has nothing to do with chlorine in the water/in my eyes...it is a human reflex that is harsh and over powering in many people.

Plus.....with goggles, you get a chance to have a lot more fun in a pool. Underwater is suddenly NOT AN ISSUE, and even if you can't swim, you can go to the shallow end, hold your breath, and just sit down, knowing you're safe andcan stand again. Once you'r confident in the pool, swimming is more about leanring, and less about worrying

my first find

GOGGLES

[missey]

Thank-you so much to you all for the tips'
I will take all advice on board.

I enjoy reading about all your experience it helps' my granchildren are asking if i can swim yet god help them i think they will have to wait a while yet.

It would be nice to have a pool in the house dream on.

[tiggerai]

Hmmm... Zakky... I disagree.
You should always learn to swim without goggles, they become a necessity when you can do lengths, but to learn you need to be comfortable with them off too. It's a psycological thing, but its definitely beneficial in the long run.

Missey, it will come... everyone learns at a different pace... so the lady who started with you has just clicked before you. remember you are learning for yourself so take it at your pace and ignore what everyone else is doing. Take your grandchildren swimming... learn to play and relax with them... get them to show you how to do it.

It will come... just dont fret about it! It's not stupid that you can't get your legs up, it will be about building strength in them so you can do it. It will come, trust me