To ask about adult swimming lessons

[lailamaria]

My daughter used to be a really strong swimmer until about 12, she had a lot of physical health issues that went undiagnosed for years so she stopped, plus i couldn't afford to pay the admissions fee every week, plus she just couldn't be bothered anymore, she had gone through all the stages but the next step was competitions and she never wanted to do that so we stopped. She's 17 now and she wants to start up again, I took her for a swim session and she's completely lost the ability, she was stopping every 2 minutes in a panic thinking she was drowning, i'm just wondering should i be waiting til she's 18 to take her to adult lessons, i don't know if because she's under 18 they'll refuse her, she wants lessons again btw, i'm happy going with whatever she wants to do given the fact of her disabilities and it'll be her body that has to experience it, also this might be controversial but because she's still in college and i still get money for her until she's 18 i will be paying for it myself, she's my last, when she was younger there were 6 kids to look after so that's why i couldn't afford it. Would it be better to wait so they for sure can't refuse her because of her age?

One or two private lessons might be enough to get her back the confidence she needs from before.

I'm having them at the gym I joined recently. It's a Nuffield gym but I believe you can book adult swimming lessons without being a member.

You get a free taster lesson and can then book a block of 4, 8 or 12. I actually have managed more in 2 lessons so far than I ever imagined I would.

Why don’t you ask the local pool if it’s for over 18 only?

As above I think I would get a few private swim lessons. They tend to be quieter and more individualised. Although more expensive a few 121 might boost her confidence and get her going again.

I grew up swimming competitively, competed at national level, taught adults and children in groups and as individuals and did 121 Personal Training at a health club.

I can absolutely guarantee you she hasn’t lost the ability- please don’t let her know that you think that. Swimming is a skill that comes back to us and the stopping and being out of breath will be physical fitness, not swimming ability. Fitness can be built up on land too, but swim fitness is a bit different and best built up in the water.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get, but definitely don’t wait til she turns 18 to even ask. Ask at your local pool if you can get a few private lessons, explain the situation; I doubt you will be turned away.

I really hope your daughter gets back into swimming and totally loves it. All the best! Xx

Surely ask what age lessons are available. Here it’s over 16 for adult lessons.

In preparation for her lessons, go swimming together every week and build her confidence up. Without the pressure of actual lessons she may recover her previous swim ability a little. It won't hurt having some fun time with her at the pool, the pair of you playing games and having fun.

@Murdoch1949 that's kind of the problem actually, i can't swim, i had one week of lessons in year 5 when i was at school and that was it, my mum can't swim either, it was her dad that got her into swimming and pushed for it, i always dreaded it because i nearly drowned at the pool once and always had flashbacks. Honestly when she stopped it was when she stopped seeing her dad, not because of just the extra money but because i was too busy to take her, she still got exercise btw she did dance and went power walking with me for 2 years until her disability was just too limiting.

@Dogsarebetterthanhumans Thank you so much, it's not me saying she's lost the ability, I know that she'll gain it back, it's her saying that, she's so worried that she'll choke on pool water because she's forgotten how to do her breathing, she's always loved swimming but she was never ready for competitive and that put a block in her brain that made her pack it in, along with all the other stuff i mentioned.

Yeah i will definitely enquire about a few private sessions just to get her comfortable in the water again.

Just call the local pool and ask, surely?! None of us can tell you what your pool offers.