My first ever swimming lesson at the age of 38 TONIGHT

[ofHardey]

Eeeeek. I am absolutely shitting it!

But I'm going to do this for my 3 girls.

Any tips for absolute beginners very welcome !

@CaptainBeakyandhisband
Hi. Any tips for how you taught yourself to swim please?
i can’t swim but would love too, I’m going on holiday next month. With access to a pool while I’m away, I have already asked my DD if she can help me learn a bit.

Good luck OP

I didn't teach myself I went to an adults only class.

Don't worry, nobody breathes under water! You breathe when you mouth/nose is above the water!!

Take a chocolate bar with you for a snack, as you will use a lot of energy.

It is a magical feeling when you swim, as you are in a completely different element.
I'm looking forward to hearing about you winning your first swimming badge!

I learnt to swim at 35. Never taught as a child.

1. Set yourself a goal. Eg. When you are able to swim 2/4/6 lengths you will earn x/y/z reward

1. Always wear a swim cap and swim goggles (it removes distractions and aids your technique)

1. Take a water bottle. Like any exercise it's exhausting and a few sips of water can pick you up (not too much or you'll be rushing to the loo)

1. Look up YouTube videos. It gives you the perspective that verbal instruction does not. I taught myself breast stroke just using YouTube videos and trial and error.

1. When you are an ace swimmer (please note 'when' and not 'if') buy underwater headphones. Music while swimming is out of this world..

1. It will take time, a lot of weeks/sessions.

You can do this!!

@WildestDreamsSunset i just decided one day to get in the pool. I was not starting from a complete inability to swim, but I had not done any swimming that I can remember as an adult and hated getting my face wet.

I’ve used a combination of YouTube videos and watching my children's lessons, along with floats etc. The big change for me was getting used to breathing out under water.

@ElephantLover I love love love allll your points especially the music while swimming one , sounds absolutely dreamy! Thank you for the when and not if !

@AdaColeman omg my first swimming badge!!! I'm getting excited at the thought of it ! I've always celebrated/rewarded my girls swimming badges and I am SO BLUMMIN excited that I could be winning a badge soon too! I WILL be winning a badge soon haha! 🤩

Also may I add, about the guys laughing at the gym... they absolutely do not !!!! Most of them are absolutely lovely, and are very courteous and respectful. The after buzz of a killer weights session is something else and I'm hoping to find it in the pool next !

Well done, you are amazing for doing this, what a fantastic Mum you are. My only advice is to not put any pressure on yourself, just being there and giving it a go is enough of an achievement, anything else is a bonus!

Sorry I realise now that question wasn't to me. I just read the captain bit.

I so want to do this. Similar age. Im OK in water but just can't swim!
But the pool instructor here that does adult lessons. I cannot stand. Long story but i literally could not be in the same room as her.
May look further afield

No particular advice, but good for you and all best wishes with learning. Friend's Mum learned at 40. Bodies are buoyant. Was taught to do a mushroom float when I was at school, just to feel how buoyant the body is. Admittedly, it was in a pool and not in the middle of the North Sea.

Oh well done. I bumped in to my neighbour (in her 60s) who was having 1-2-1 swimming lessons when I took my DToddlers for their swimming lessons once. She was telling me how she'd decided to learn so she could have fun and be safe at the beach with her DGC. I was full of admiration. My children are much older now and I often see neighbour doing lengths at the pool. She's a really strong swimmer and proves it's never too late to learn.

Trying again tonight !!!

Good luck! My only advice is not to arrive with a full face of make up and refuse to put your head in the water like a woman in my class did. 😂

Hahahah that reminds me to remove my mascara , thanks 🤣

Yes, have a great time (and you will you really will!) I learned at 35 because I couldn't put my head under the water (still can't let water run over my face in the shower) and now I love it so much!

Oh I hope you're having a fun evening OP. Just relax and think about how nice it feels to be in the water. It's brilliant you're giving it a go!

Good luck 🤞🏼

good luck

My husband did this, in his 30s, and now he swims better than I do!

Good luck! I can swim but really badly - I can’t do the breathing or the putting my head underwater thing (I’m the one doing breast stroke with my head out of the water!) I think I need lessons too!

Good luck OP! Your opening up a whole new wonderful world for yourself.

My DM learned to swim in her 60s. She was so terrified that I had to get in the pool with her for her first few lessons. Less than a year later, DM was jumping in at the deep end and swimming.

Go for it!

My DH learned as an adult just before we had our DC. He was a bit scared but he did so well and now he is a fairly decent swimmer. You can do it!

I taught my mum to swim when I was a teenager she would have been mid 40s. She's still terrified and still won't swim with my kids - who are both now fish!

From what I remember with her lessons are the way to go not family. You need to relax and go with the flow. Tensing up does you no favours. If you go in with the mindset that you are going to succeed like you have with the weights you will do just fine.

When you get on your back relax your neck and look at the ceiling - then you will float. That is the most amazing feeling!