So nervous (adult swimming)

[yellowmellw]

I have never learnt to swim but with a young dc I feel I really need to get over this fear and learn.

So I have my first lesson tonight and I'm so anxious and worried.

Has anyone learnt to swim as an adult and how did they find it

[OnTopOfSpaghetti]

No advice but good for you! I would love to have adult swimming lessons, I'm not nervous in the water but I can't swim with any decent technique whatsoever. Good luck I hope it goes really well.

[jeangeniebiglippedmeanie]

I learned as a child but go on you for taking lessons - you won’t regret it.

If possible, relax and enjoy it! Dont go out of your depth until you’re comfortable.

I find swimming a really solitary and peaceful experience where I can be alone with my own thoughts.

Like a lot of things when you’re learning , there may be a period where you are totally rubbish and feel out your depth (pardon the pun) butbyou will improve. No one’s asking you to be the next Michael Phelps but learning to swim is a great life skill and very relaxing

[gottachangethename1]

Well done op. I’m very jealous, been meaning to learn to swim for 40 years . I think it’s fantastic that you’re taking the plunge - literally.

[DontDribbleOnTheCarpet]

My husband started swimming lessons at the age of 66! He had been a fisherman in the North Sea for half of his working life but couldn't swim a stroke (it was considered unwise, because you'd just take longer to drown!).
He has had problems learning to float, but can manage well enough to take the kids swimming and not show them up. He enjoys the lessons and everyone there is in the same boat, as it were, so nobody is looked down on.

[PickwickThePlockingDodo]

Yes I have, same reason as you. Honestly it was fine. I was in a small group of adults all in the same boat and the instructors were really nice. You'll be fine and actually probably enjoy it once the nerves have died down a bit. Good luck.

[Jeezoh]

I did and I loved it! The instructors were lovely and they didn’t push me to do more than I was ready for. Good luck, just go for it!

[yellowmellw]

I really enjoy being in water that doesn't go above my chest area and I always take my dd swimming as we both love the water but I just can't swim so always stay in the shallow areas and don't dunk my head under.

I just have a fear that if my child was to ever fall into water I can't really save her and that fear is taking over my mild anxiety about swimming so that's why I'm doing it. I often have dreams that im swimming and they are the nicest ones.

Thank you for the encouraging comments.

[dontbesillyhenry]

Ive just literally booked, my first this time next week.
Its not at a small private pool starting with the initial C is it?

[yellowmellw]

No it's in a large leisure centre in which they raise the floor (diving pool) so the water height is just right and there's only 3 other adults in my class. Tonight is the first night.

Apparently we are all on the same level a bit nervous etc so we will at least be able to support each other.

I'm ready to put my heart and soul into it.

Is it like learning to drive, once you know then it's just second nature and you don't think about it. That's what I'm hoping.

[3legs]

I learned as an adult and I highly recommend it. Getting your head under water is the biggest step for a lot of people, but once you're comfortable with that, and you learn to relax, it's surprisingly easy

[dontbesillyhenry]

good luck, I cant wait to start mine I envy those swimming on holiday

[yellowmellw]

@dontbesillyhenry good luck to you aswell I'll let you know how it goes later

[DinoGreen]

My MIL learned aged 50. She doesn’t love swimming still and rarely goes except on holiday but at least she can now swim in an emergency.

[MatildaTheCat]

Learning in a group should be fun. I swim a lot and have seen many adults having lessons and gradually making progress until they suddenly realise they can swim and swim well!

Good luck. Once you’ve relaxed into it and cracked it you’ll never understand how you couldn’t do it before.

[AdaColeman]

I learnt to swim as an adult, it's marvellous!

The class was really friendly, as everyone was in the same situation, and the instructor was calm but had a sense of humour too.

At the end of the class, the instructor called to me to stay in the water, and push the float away. She called "Just swim across to me." And I did! I'd swum a width! It was a most super feeling.

By the end of the course, I'd swum a mile, & started to dive.

It's a really fun thing to share with children, or to do as exercise. I do hope you enjoy it, it will be a huge achievement for you.

[cropcirclesinthefields]

I really want to learn but it's difficult finding a class I can get to. Good luck @yellowmellw let us know how you get on

[bridgetreilly]

Is it like learning to drive, once you know then it's just second nature and you don't think about it. That's what I'm hoping.

Exactly like that. I mean, you can consciously focus on improving your technique and things, but you don't have to think about staying afloat and how to get from one side of the pool to the other, or whatever. In an emergency situation, you would just swim without thinking about it at all.

[Winegumaddict]

It absolutely is like driving. I don't think you ever forget. You won't be a strong or fast without practise but you'll still be able to swim. Well done for learning. My Dad can't swim very well but made sure he never said so around my sister or me. I had no idea until I was a teen. It's not his thing but he can save himself if needed. I love swimming it's a great thing to so with my DC. I hope it goes well and don't forget practise makes perfect.

[Packergator]

Yes! I’m 39 and started learning in January. Can now do (proper) breast stroke and back stroke confidently, my front crawl is getting there- just the lateral breathing to work on- and we started tentatively toward butterfly technique earlier this week! I would never have dreamed that I’d be this confident in the water after a relatively short period. Goggles and earplugs really help; I never used goggles before and they (literally) opened my eyes! You’ll be amazed how quickly you pick it all up.

[yellowmellw]

I wear glasses also how does this work. I will need to wear them to swim, does goggles go over these

[SerenDippitty]

I learned to swim as an adult but never really got confident. Still don’t like going out of my depth. Good on you OP.

[bridgetreilly]

I used to just wear glasses for swimming and at first that will be fine. But I now have cheap prescription goggles and highly recommend them: www.goggleyed.co.uk/

[isthistoonosy]

I could get around a pool using just my arms but learnt technique and how to use my legs as an adult. Bit weird as no other adults came to the lesson and a parent quietly let staff know there was in fact ont adult amongst the kids (I was early 20s and I'm very short). But once I was in the right class it was great, and I don't swim often but do remember the lessons and try to use the techniques I was taught. It will be great fun well done for going for it.

[CMOTDibbler]

Good luck yellowmellw. I met a lady a couple of years ago who couldn't swim until she was 50, then did lessons and when I met her was in training to take part in a relay channel swim.

I'm terribly short sighted, and wear goggles from www.prescription-swimming-goggles.co.uk which make life so much easier

[jeangeniebiglippedmeanie]

@yellowmellw

Being able to know that you’d be able to jump in after your daughter if she were ever to struggle in the water is a great motivator to learn to swim. Just take some deep breaths and accept that it could take a few lessons to see results - but you will see results and your anxiety surrounding your daughter will ease - win win!!