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

It is like driving.... I swam for the first time in 15 years last week. Haven't swum regularly since primary school. It took a while to get into it but I was quite pleased with my breaststroke and front crawl. It's relaxing and you can focus on your form. DP can kind of swim but he's never had any lessons and to be honest he was a bit crap (can only manage one, very splashy width)

Good on you OP - hope it goes fantastically. I taught a friend to swim when she was in her 30s, and she discovered - after years of being terrified of water - that she had a real talent for it. She competes in triathlons now!

My first tonight...haven't had time to get goggles and will need them as I wear glasses 🤦‍♀️😩

You should be OK for the first session without goggles.
I'm very short sighted and used to wear glasses to have a look around the pool area/surroundings to get my bearings first, then I'd put them somewhere safe with a brightly coloured towel (for instance) so I could spot them easily.
Obviously only do that if the general public isn't also using the pool.

Well I went and I didn't drown but couple of queries
A) why can I just not get the hang of legs for the breaststroke and
B) why does it always feel like my back is pulling

Well I'd say the breaststroke legs will come with practise, it's quite complicated to get the synchronisation right between the arms, legs and breathing, but it will suddenly just click.
Perhaps practise the legs only, holding a float with your hands, so you get the feel of the leg position.

Your back probably feels like that because you are using those muscles in a completely new way.

My dad went to swimming lessons as an adult because he wanted to be able to take us swimming as kids, both he and my mum couldn't swim. As an adult myself now I'm really grateful he done that for us.

Good luck Op, you'll do great!

Good luck! Hope it went well!

I learnt as an adult, having failed at school swimming lessons due to a paralysing fear of water, and parents who didn't bother teaching me. It was one of the biggest achievements of my life! It's an indescribable feeling finally being able to swim. I haven't been again for a few years but am going to try and get back into it soon. Good luck tonight!

Adult swim classes are bloody brilliant. I hope
You have a great time. I’ve done two terms of them and got so much out of them. Including meeting really interesting people. Sure, the first can be hard after that it’s great. Enjoy!

Well done OP.
Try back stroke legs while holding a float until they feel more natural. Then try the arms with crawl legs. And practise a lot.
I really struggled getting it all together and spent weeks just getting nowhere and exhausting myself but eventually it came together still not perfect mind.