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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

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 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:

LilacTree1 · 06/04/2020 21:53

OP, so how do you resurface?

I find backstroke the easiest. I don’t seem to push forward much with breaststroke and while I can technically do a bit of front crawl, the fact I can’t sort the breathing out is the issue.

GotTheCityOnLockdown · 06/04/2020 21:54

I'm there with you OP.

I can't swim. Genuinely not to save my life.

Breaststroke = me sinking
Front crawl = flappy/splashy/sinking
Backstroke = floating/flappy/splashy.
Can't tread the water either.

I've had lessons, my mum (God bless her) tried to teach me, I had one to one.
It doesn't work for me.

No idea why. I'm not 'afraid' of the water but I'm very aware of the fact that if I got into the deep end, and couldn't touch the bottom, I'd be in trouble.

2catsblack · 06/04/2020 21:59

I am also one of those who has had so many lessons and still cannot swim without a float. I go to water aerobics 3 times a week so I am happy enough in water. I haven't had one to one lessons which I would like but my husband thinks I will never learn! I would love to be able to swim as it is such good exercise.

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Sexnotgender · 06/04/2020 22:01

My daughter is the least buoyant person I’ve ever met. Can’t even float! She can just about manage a width, she’s 16.

LilacTree1 · 06/04/2020 22:04

I haven’t been swimming for ages because I find it makes me really hungry!

But I too had lessons as a kid and couldn’t do it. Then went to local authority adult classes and I was maybe lucky, but the teachers made so much more sense. They also recognised that we all had fears and they were so good.

Windyatthebeach · 06/04/2020 22:04

My dd had lessons when she was 30.
Never got the hang as a dc and was once fished out in her teens by a lifeguard!!

LilacTree1 · 06/04/2020 22:06

Best tip I can give, I thought I couldn’t float but once you learn to keep your bum up (!) it becomes doable.

And after I could float - only on my back because of the face/water problems- I found I could do a decent backstroke.

Peanut55 · 06/04/2020 22:06

Also. Fwiw. I can't coordinate my breathing properly for front crawl, and passed my NPLQ (lifeguard qualification) I was terrified of the timed swim and had panic attacks each time we had to practice. Front crawl was realistically the fastest way I could get there and back with a casualty.

But I just kept my head out of the water and swam with no proper technique. Only from watching copious amounts of swimming lessons did I master breast stroke properly which is my go to stroke.

Don't be afraid of asking the swim centre for a woggle or a float either. They won't mind at all.

I really hope when this is all over you conquer this.

Pentium85 · 06/04/2020 22:07

@FarquarKumquatsmama

Absolutely. Ever wondered why one particular race are often very good runners, but another race are very good swimmers?

Totally different genetics.

Eastie77 · 06/04/2020 22:29

@FarquarKumquatsmama I was told this too. I am African Caribbean and cannot really float. I don't mean I struggle to float, I literally mean I can't float for more than a few seconds. I've had adult lessons multiple times over the years and kept being told I need to 'relax' and 'stop panicking' and it would all come together. I don't panic, I just sink!

elaine26 · 06/04/2020 22:42

My mum can't swim, she tried many times but just can't do it. She'll happily sit in a jacuzzi or a hot tub

Ifeel1000yearsold · 06/04/2020 22:55

I have the opposite problem. Can’t stay under water. I just pop back up

Original poster

PennyNotSoWise · 07/04/2020 00:22

But that means you can swim!
It's more that when I was swimming under water, I would start off straight, and end up aiming down, swimming to the bottom of the pool, and I couldn't for the life of me get myself facing back up to resurface, if that makes sense? I'm not great at explaining, sorry

What kind of swimming do you feel you can’t do?

Ideally, I'd like to be safe in the knowledge that if I fell in deep water, I'd be able to get myself out of there. I can only do the breast stroke underwater if I actually set off in shallow water too, so I'd be screwed if I fell in at the deep end, I'd definitely not be able to compose my body properly.

OP, so how do you resurface?

I haven't actually tried to swim in around 10 years (haven't ever swam outside of the lessons I had), and when I did under the water it always resulted in the instructor rescuing me

Front crawl = flappy/splashy/sinking
Backstroke = floating/flappy/splashy.
Can't tread the water either.

Exactly me

Try the Shaw Method. I am not selling anything, but it is fantastic. Just google.

I'll check it out, thank you.

I really hope when this is all over you conquer this.

Thanks Peanut 😊 I'm definitely going to give it another try.

It's inspiring to see hear that people have learned between the ages of 30-60. I think I've convinced myself that I'm a lost cause but hearing this from others, I think it's worth one more shot :)

OP posts:

Original poster

PennyNotSoWise · 07/04/2020 00:24

I have the opposite problem. Can’t stay under water. I just pop back up confused

😆 Strange, isn't it?

OP posts:

TheChosenTwo · 07/04/2020 00:38

@FarquarKumquatsmama I’ve read up a lot on this.
I’m mixed race and have really struggled with swimming. My brother does too. He said once to me years ago that you never (actually not 100% accurate) see a black swimmer at the olympics as genetically it’s much harder.
I’ve always had a go but genuinely feel very worried when I can’t touch the bottom of a pool and don’t get me started on going in the sea on holiday, I’m terrified the whole time.
Dh (White) has tried to show me how to float so many times, he can literally just lie on the surface of the water without moving.
I replicate. I start sinking. I can stay afloat if I move my hands and legs but gradually start sinking down.
I’ve never had swimming lessons, I imagine they would boost my confidence massively and would really help with my ‘technique’ which is embarrassing but I prioritise my time elsewhere.
Baffles me to see people just diving in and putting their faces in the water, actually makes me shiver. I hate water going anywhere near my face and even hate testing out floating as my ears go in and the sensation makes me feel sick!
Just not a natural born swimmer as you may be able to tell

LilacTree1 · 07/04/2020 01:02

I think you’ve got another shot for sure, especially as you can go underwater.

I would like to try underwater too but can’t imagine even jumping in.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 07/04/2020 01:27

I learned to swim properly at 40. Prior to that, I could just about do a couple of lengths breaststroke, but only just!

I did a 4-month training program to take part in a fundraising event for cancer research, so I had a goal to aim for. My teachers were volunteers at a local swimming pool and they were great, really understanding that some of us needed floats to begin with. We trained at least every other day and I was honestly amazed that I could swim a mile by the end (that was the goal).

I'd recommend finding an understand instructor (or a group like I did) and see how it goes. I love swimming now, really feel at home in the water. It's such a great feeling to master something when you're a bit older!

Ilovesausages · 07/04/2020 01:28

My husband can’t.

He just sinks. I have seen him with THREE noodles wrapped around him and he just goes down like a stone. I would not have believed it myself but I have seen it!

He had some lessons as an adult but if doesn’t help because he doesn’t float at all.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 07/04/2020 01:42

I don't float v. well either, but it's not the floating part that's enabled me to swim. It's learning the techniques correctly - breathing, stroke, improving my kick- that''s got me going.

Also stretching out in the water. Reach forward and elongate yourself in the water. Those are my amateur top tips anyway.

safariboot · 07/04/2020 01:44

I think any able bodied person can learn to swim. But some people don't float, and many more don't float enough to keep their nose and mouth above water. If you don't float well that doesn't stop you swimming (Olympic athletes are likely to be "sinkers"!) but if your swimming teacher wrongly assumes all their students will float easily, it's no wonder you have trouble progressing.

Also any skill is harder to learn as an adult compared to when you were a child.

safariboot · 07/04/2020 01:48

PS: In the USA, the prevailing view is that African-Americans are mostly non-swimmers not because of genetics but because of lack of childhood opportunities for swimming.

BradleyPooper · 07/04/2020 02:04

I trained and used to work as a swimming and water confidence coach. I believe that anyone can learn to swim with the right teacher and conditions. Bear in mind that body fat keeps us afloat. It's possible for everyone to float although people with very low % of body fat need to learn proper technique to do so.

For anyone interested in racial disparities in swimming ability, look for a film called "black kids can't swim". Is is due to cultural opportunity rather than physiological differences....

Dontwanttobeyourmonkeywench · 07/04/2020 02:12

DD has a very weak core so starts to sink from her legs if she tries to float on her back. She can swim but it has been through years of sheer bloody mindedness on my part. Funnily enough she never had a fear of water and could float well face down, the problem was when she tried to float on her back. Ironically, her best stroke is back stroke , she's fine once she gets going, just no floating.

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