To ask about adult swimming lessons

[Cronesquerness]

I learned to swim at school and loved it until my brother fell into a duck pond aged 10 ish , after that I didn't go in water if I could help it. I would love to be able to swim, I feel that I can but I'm NERVOUS as HELL! Any adult swimming lesson experiences? I would love to hear about them, please help me into the water...

I took lessons aged 30 (4 years ago). Decided to get my arse in gear and do it.
I'm not 100% confident, but I only did lessons for about 6 months (stopped due to pregnancy, was quite ill with it). I can swim and know I can now which makes me feel less nervous around water. My confidence will get better with time!

I was able to swim unaided by my 3rd lesson, they were 30mins each and just in a local pool to me. In the evenings too which meant I could go after work. There was about 5 of us in the lesson and the teacher spent time with all of us individually as we were all at different stages. Some people were just building confidence or improving stroke etc.

Best thing I've done though. Don't know why I didn't do it sooner!!

I went. I could swim but not very well. They were amazing.

I went swimming today and swam my perfect strokes. Very slowly and badly because i’m Hugely unfit, but I knew what I was meant to do!

You say you learned at school? Can you still swim as in you know how and can physically do it but are nervous?

Or are you unable to swim?

If you can swim but are nervous in water then can you go with a friend, maybe stay in the shallow end/close to the wall until you feel more confident?

If you can't swim at all then check your local pool for adult lessons - these are generally done when no one else is in the pool.

Good luck - I imagine it's hard to learn as an adult, especially if you have a fear of water but it will be good if you can learn.

I went for swimming lessons age 18 as I was always terrified of being out of my depth and was unable to keep myself afloat or swim more than a few metres doggy paddle. I was going on holiday with a group of friends and wanted to go on the booze cruise without worrying that I might get thrown off the boat

I booked a course of six lessons and by the end I could swim 25m breaststroke without stopping! I was so proud of myself! Carried on going once a week to practice, went on the holiday, did a bit of swimming daily in the hotel pool (and went on the booze cruise) Started swimming regularly when I got home and about 7-8 months later did a 5000m charity swim in the same pool I did that first 25m in.

It is honestly one of the best skills I’ve learned, got me fit, changed my body shape and, as an 18 year old, gave me confidence to try to learn new skills.

It was a bit nerve racking at first, we did our lessons in the little pool and had to walk past the big pool where loads of 8 year olds were doing their swimming club training, tearing up and down the pool while we had a night of learning swimming technique! It was a small group, only three of us, all very supportive towards each other as we were all in the same boat so to speak.

I feel as though I can swim and I can in a baby pool, when I get into the regular pool and attempt a width I am overwhelmed and unable to make it across. One issue is that I can't remember how to breathe and move through water at the same time, other issues are that there are other people in the pool splashing and moving and I'm uncertain about my space if that makes sense. My local pool does lessons in blocks of ten so I'm hoping to book a course. I learned front crawl and backstroke at school [I'm 51 now so a while ago...] but I only learned crawl with my face in the water and not how to breathe and swim at the same time. Those of you who have had lessons as adults, what were they like? Was there one on one tuition or was it like being in a class with everyone at the same level? I went with a friend to the baby pool a while ago and enjoyed being in the water but I would like to be a confident swimmer.

I’ve been (hence the name). Couldn’t cross a pool or put my head under to begin with but now I compete in open water events at distance. It’s much, much easier in a wetsuit.

I got the breathing first and then just swam to my breathing if that makes sense? As I git more confident I was able to speed both up but when you’re nervous you just have to do what you can and go as often as you can until you’re less nervous.

My friend took lessons as an adult, she couldn't swim at all - had never been taught. She booked 1-1 lessons, she was very secretive and embarrassed about it but is glad she did. She's not exactly a great swimmer now but she feels comfortable near water can swim across the pool happily.

Many moons ago I used to teach adult learners to swim. The best results are if you can have one to one tuition. Try to find a small local pool that doesn't have any other activity on at the same time- much quieter and no splashing. This may be difficult if you have big local leisure centres though.

Following with interest as this is something that I have been thinking about. I got as far as doing my length at school and learnt how to do front crawl and breast stroke but have lost all my confidence as I've got older.

I can't put my face in the water and hate being splashed. I've forgotten how to do front crawl and when I'm swimming if I know I can't touch the bottom when standing I panic.