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Original poster

Do you think it's impossible for some people to learn to swim?

73 replies

PennyNotSoWise · 06/04/2020 18:43

Just that really.

I went to lessons as a kid with the school and failed, private lessons after that when I was a bit older and failed, and tried again in my late teens, but I just can't do it, it feels impossible.

I can kind of swim underwater for a short while, but can't get back up to the top, so no good unless I have a really long snorkel Grin

I tried really hard, and I don't think it's fear that's holding me back, because I really want to be able to do it, I just physically can't.

I'd love to have one last try at it now, but people laugh when I tell them I can't swim so I'd feel a bit embarrassed trying to learn as an adult Blush But it is a skill I'd really love to master, and I think an important one.

Just curious what others think? Is it possible for it to be impossible?

OP posts:
PickAChew · 06/04/2020 18:46

I'm right there with you. It just never clicked for me. I have pretty poor proprioception, which I think has a lot to do with it.

Bellebelle · 06/04/2020 18:48

Yes I do, my Mum has tried all her life and has never been able to swim, had an ex who was the same.

Can you drive? Neither of them can drive either despite trying and failing many times. I always wondered if there was a link.

Miljea · 06/04/2020 18:48

I'm not a great swimmer, so definitely not an expert at all, but in response to your question, I do think some people might never learn to swim, but from what close family have told me, adult swimming classes are really good.

No one is going to laugh at you; no one will think you stupid. In fact, privately I think most will think 'good for you'!

My DB learned to swim in his mid 20s as he wanted to improve his ability so he could feel safer, windsurfing. He really felt he 'got it' at those classes.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General sports
Eckhart · 06/04/2020 18:51

Humans float. You don't have to try to get back up to the surface (unless you're deadly deep and have to get there in a hurry)

Are you trying too hard? Have you tried lying still on the surface and relaxing, face up?

RandomMess · 06/04/2020 18:53

One of my DC is dyspraxic very fit and strong but swimming has taken her a lot of practice with lessons, the co-ordination part of it has been a huge huge challenge.

1990shopefulftm · 06/04/2020 18:54

i m dyspraxic and it just never stuck for me after 5 years of swimming lessons.

Peanut55 · 06/04/2020 18:55

I used to work in a leisure centre as a manager. I saw a man come in to learn to swim, he was in his 60s.

When he arrived to us he wouldn't even enter poolside. He was terrified. He had a couple of bad experiences as a boy and it scarred him. After many lessons, he learned and his confidence grew. Watching it was amazing, we ensured that if he swam and it was busy we put a lane in so he wouldn't be splashed or disturbed. He then came a couple of times a week and was able to swim full lengths. The first time he swam a length we all celebrated with cakes and fizzy! (Soft fizzy of course)

We saw lots of adults come and take adult swim lessons, it's nothing to be embarrassed about and something I find rather admirable.

It's about finding the right teacher.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 06/04/2020 18:55

I'm with you. I've tried but I just can't "get" it.

I had lessons as a child, as a teen and recently. Now I just panic about drowning.

chuffincold · 06/04/2020 18:57

So you've got water confidence, you're not scared to go under the water, get water on your face. You're half way there already 😁
When centres are back open phone them up find out when they do adult lessons. Ask if you can do a trial before signing up to make sure you click with the teacher.
I'd put money on the teacher telling you to slow down & remember to breathe.

Wheresthebiffer2 · 06/04/2020 18:58

The magician Paul Daniels would tell of his inability to swim. He said he just sank. So yes, I'm sure for some people they just cannnot.

AfterSchoolWorry · 06/04/2020 18:58

I can do the body movements, but I can't get the breathing at all. That bit where you're supposed to breathe in while you turn your head, I can't do it. I have asthma, maybe that's why.

I can drive really well.

ladybee28 · 06/04/2020 19:01

Imagine how amazing it would feel to nail it now, OP....

It sounds like you really want to learn – what is there to lose, except for a bit of time?

Swimming is one of those things that really doesn't 'click' until it 'clicks' - like riding a bike. It feels utterly impossible until one day it isn't anymore.

My swimming teacher used to say if you can lie on the floor and then push yourself up to crawl, you can swim - pushing the floor away from you in order to lift and propel is all the same muscles and movements as in the water.

I'm no swimming teacher, so I have no idea if that's 100% true (before the flame brigade comes through), but it makes sense to me.

I love nothing more than people proving themselves wrong about things they think they 'can't' do, though, so maybe I'm excessively enthusiastic about you giving it one final go (post-COVID, obvs).

If you do, will you let us know how you get on?

Cantstopeatingchocolate · 06/04/2020 19:01

My mum said she tried numerous times and just couldn't do it.
She says she sinks in the water, couldn't keep afloat. It was always my dad who took us swimming or was in the water with us on holiday.

bruffin · 06/04/2020 19:04

The actor Donald Swindon said he couldn't swim because of wrong body density. In a film he made he had to have some one swim below him to lift his body up.
There is certain type of body that cant float.

Stet · 06/04/2020 19:06

My DH only floats properly in sea water! We tested this on holiday. He's a much better swimmer than me but is weirdly less buoyant. If we both float on our backs then he jus slowly sinks unless he moves whereas I can just float there indefinitely. In the sea he's fine. And I'm too buoyant in the sea as my legs just float too high.

Not really relevant but it was weird Grin

Original poster
PennyNotSoWise · 06/04/2020 19:07

Can you drive? Neither of them can drive either despite trying and failing many times. I always wondered if there was a link.

I've never tried unfortunately, so can't compare there. Interesting though, I'm hoping to learn next year so we'll see 😬

No one is going to laugh at you; no one will think you stupid. In fact, privately I think most will think 'good for you'!

That's reassuring to hear, thank you.

Are you trying too hard? Have you tried lying still on the surface and relaxing, face up?

You know, I probably am. I do remember trying to lie on the water, but always feeling like I was sinking so started moving, making it worse. Couldn't tread water either, always ended up going under.

OP posts:
Connie222 · 06/04/2020 19:08

Yes.

I had lessons at school as a kid for years.

I never got the hang of it.

My Ds is the same. He’s 17, gave up when he was 12. He had lessons weekly at one point for two years.

Eckhart · 06/04/2020 19:10

That's not true, @bruffin. Certain body types (very low fat) sink very slightly below the surface, but they still float.

AcrossthePond55 · 06/04/2020 19:12

My father couldn't float. He's sink like a stone no matter how hard he tried. He could 'doggy paddle' to keep his head above water but couldn't propel himself forward in any kind of stroke.

He said being on a troop ship in the middle of the Pacific in WWII was the most frightening experience of his life.

Pentium85 · 06/04/2020 19:12

Yes, but it is not through lack of ability, it'll be because you're either nervous, trying too hard or haven't found the right teacher.
Taught for 10 years, not yet met someone who can't be taught, just sometimes takes a while

Sewingbea · 06/04/2020 19:15

My uncle could float happily but never cracked swimming. Once he started to move his limbs he sank.

Blueswede · 06/04/2020 19:20

I can drive, I can float (never thought I could float until one day DH put me in kids shallow pool and told me to just lie on my back.
I can swim about halfway the length of an adult size pool but have to stop halfway. I’m no good at breathing co ordination (or why co ordination in water tbh). Can’t tread water. I LOVE being in a pool though. Loved it so much when pregnant as I felt light. I just struggle so much with co ordinating legs, arms and breathing. I’ve tried so hard over the years to get it to click but it never happened.

Blueswede · 06/04/2020 19:21

*any co ordination not why

Violetroselily · 06/04/2020 19:23

Yes my dad thinks it is impossible. He couldn't swim as a child and has had multiple lessons as an adult. Still cant master it all - says he just sinks in the water

Longdistance · 06/04/2020 19:24

I swim like a brick Grin

When I was about 6, I nearly drowned in a pool. My dad would wind me up in the pool, it didn’t give me any confidence whatsoever. I had lessons as a kid, they didn’t work. I had lessons in my 20’s, they didn’t work. I’m 44 now. I don’t fear the water when I go in with dds, I can float about no problem but can’t get my coordination and I hate water on my face.