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Original poster

Has anyone learnt to swim as an adult?

28 replies

melodyangel · 07/03/2012 17:25

I really need to learn, it's rubbish being a non swimmer but I'm terrified. Anyone learnt to swimm as an adult? Did you go to lessons or just teach yourself?

Any advice would be great. Ta.

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 08/03/2012 16:11

My mother learnt when she was about 53 yrs, she had a bad experience as a child and was scared of water. She had lessons and successfully overcame it. It is never too late.

Ephiny · 09/03/2012 18:10

Yes I learned in my mid-20s, went to group lessons at my local pool. They did beginners lessons for those who can't swim at all (or barely at all), and intermediate classes (which I progressed to) for those who can swim a short distance but wanting to learn proper technique and gain more confidence in the water.

It's well worth doing IMO. Never too late.

The adult lessons were very popular, so obviously there are a lot of people in the same situation, you are not alone!

Original poster
melodyangel · 11/03/2012 16:18

Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:
perceptionreality · 11/03/2012 16:21

My mum learned at 24 - my dad taught her.

cybbo · 11/03/2012 16:22

I'm terrfied too if it makes you feel any better

Am sure I would sink like a stone if I ever let go of the sides. I think I'm genetically prgrammed NOT to float

SowsEar · 11/03/2012 16:23

I had lessons last year when they were being offered for free at our local sports centre. It was only 8 lessons but I can now just about manage a length so was well worth going. I'm 41.

Original poster
melodyangel · 11/03/2012 16:48

Cybbo - yep that about sums it up. But this is the year I will learn, smallest child can now swim and I don't fancy sitting on my own in the shallow end.

Now just need the courage to book it. I'm sure I going to make a total tit of myself and sit on the side in tears like a three year old!

Well done SowsEar! A length, that includes the deep end, I am in awe.

OP posts:
cybbo · 11/03/2012 20:04

I ahve such a huge mental block where water is concerned (cant even step onto a boat from a jetty) I really cant see it happening any time soon

CantStopEatingCheese · 14/03/2012 22:36

I know two people who learnt to swim as adults, they both did classes at a pool. So you are definitely not alone. One of those people I know hadn't learned to ride a bike either as a kid, so I taught her! I admire people who teach themselves new things at any age. Go for it! Good luck!

Original poster
melodyangel · 14/06/2012 13:01

Right booked lessons today start in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the replies and if anybody else is thinking of learning aswell a swim buddy for hand holding would be great.

Right off to find swim suit and weep when it no longer fits.

OP posts:
FredFredGeorge · 14/06/2012 15:46

I can only breaststroke, I learnt at 20, so basically an adult, my then GF taught me by not much more than throwing me in a pool. I've recently (late 30's) tried to be taught by front crawl, and cannot do it at all, I simply do not have enough awareness of what my limbs are doing to follow the instructions to coordinate it. Learning breaststroke came pretty easily though.

assumpta · 21/06/2012 12:43

I cant believe I found this thread! Good for you Melody. I started lessons in January, in the beginning I was afraid of drowning, but I have overcome that. I can float on my front and back. I can lie on my back and kick the length of the pool, for the first time two weeks ago I felt what it was like to really stretch and do a proper backstroke. I can push, glide and kick on my front. However, this is where I have found it really difficult, my co ordination is so bad that As soon as I start my arms my legs stop, my legs stop when I try to breathe, and I am quite down about it all. I dont understand, or seem to be able to 'kick from the hip'. I have spent the morning on google to see if some people can just not learn to swim. I feel a right failure and cannot bear the thought of my lesson tomorrow. I dread it every week, and as it is last thing on a Friday evening my whole day is a misery. I am seriously think of ringing to cancel the rest of this term. I am having one to one lessons, but feel that, although my teacher is brilliant and patient and teaching me correctly that she expects me to be able to do it perfectly. I can't do it! I can't even tread water! How pathetic is that. I have been trying to learn as a surprise for my kids this summer, no one else knows apart from my husband. I have not even told my friends, because of the embarrassment of not being able to swim in the first place. I have always just laughed off my not getting into the pool. The ridiculous thing is that I grew up by the sea, but as my parents could not come with us to the beach due to work and looking after a disabled child, we were allowed to go the beach providing we did not go out into the sea, a paddle was fine. Needless to say I made sure my children learnt from 4 months and are lovely swimmers. Can some people just not learn to swim?

moosemurphy · 21/06/2012 12:55

Assumpta, please don't give up - concentrate on the reaction from your family when they see you get in the pool and start to swim Wink.
What you are experiencing now is a typical lull in the learning cycle - you progress a bit, then plateau or even feel you are going back, but if you stick with it you will start to progress again.

Of course your teacher expects you to do it perfectly, but she should also know how to tailor her teaching to overcome any difficulties her students experience. Talk to her so that she knows what you are finding awkward - you won't be the only one she has taught who has found it difficult at the beginning to coordinate arms and legs.
You have done amazingly well so far, don't give up now!
(I learnt to swim in my mid-twenties, and it was the best thing I have ever done, I just love swimming and try to go 3 or 4 times a week).

assumpta · 21/06/2012 13:43

Hi Moose, thanks for your encouragement. I am almost 43 and kind of thinking, if I have got on without being able to swim this long.... maybe I should just forget it. I will text my teacher and then talk to her tomorrow. Maybe breast stroke would be better than front crawl. I just don't know, but I def feel like making an excuse not to continue. Could my real lack of co ordination be inhibiting me?

FlightlessBird · 23/06/2012 12:18

How was your lesson Assumpta? Don't give up now, think of how far you have already come! Try and remember what motivated you to start lessons in the first place, you made that massive first step and you can learn to swim.
I bet the coordination will just 'click' for you one day, don't forget you're teaching you brain new things as well as your body.
Good luck!

JuliaScurr · 23/06/2012 12:24

Went to all-women classes aged 35. Got certificate for 1 width (yay!)

Do it, it's fun (incredibly)

still hate swimming in general, though

assumpta · 23/06/2012 18:07

Hi, my teacher was a bit late, so I got into the pool anyway, and as it was laned out, normally I would do widths, I went to mid way and tried to do everything together, the first time I felt I was doing it ok, but the next time I nearly bl*y drown myself. Teacher arrived and I tried and tried but I did feel again that I was getting nowhere. She was very encouraging and said that it just takes time to get it together. I end up kicking from the knee instead of the hip, then I forget to breathe, then when I do breathe I don't roll properly so I take in water. Better on my backstroke, but not great. I know I should persevere but I am counting down the next 3 weeks!

I just want to be able to get into the pool and do a bit of swimming if I fancy it, not cross the channel!

assumpta · 23/06/2012 18:15

Well done you Julia! I bet you were proud of yourself! Can you now swim perfectly?

Kicking from the hip, legs straight, floppy ankles but pointed toes, high elbow out of the water, tips of fingers in first, scoop back for two or three strokes, roll on your side and breathe, my brain goes to blaaaaahhhhhhh!

JuliaScurr · 25/06/2012 11:57

assumpta can't swim now due to MS (good excuse)

assumpta · 26/06/2012 21:43

Oh no.. I hope that you are doing ok.

Original poster
melodyangel · 29/06/2012 14:33

assumpta - sounds like your doing amazingly to me.

JuliaScurr - well done on the width. Hope your ok and can get back to swimming at some point, my best wishes go with you.

Ok so first lesson. Didn't drown, which is always good. Did cry a little Blush but the teacher was really nice and the other girls there were very kind and encouraging. I'm the only one that can't swim at all. Was fine once I got going and hope to progress over the next few weeks. If I can learn to put my face in the water it will be amazing. Completely drained now, mainly from the emotion of it all, but looking forward to next week.

OP posts:
gramercy · 29/06/2012 14:37

I'm a non-swimmer too. This thread has prompted me to look at the website of the local leisure centre (only look, mind you!). I hate water. Not even keen on showers as the water goes in my eyes and ears!

Original poster
melodyangel · 29/06/2012 14:51

gramercy - I took years to pluck up the courage to even look but just walked in the other week and thought what the hell and booked and more importantly paid for the first few lessons.

Everyone was really nice and we where in our local teaching pool so water was a bit warmer which really helped.

I used to hate showers too but I really like them now have just slowly got used to them.

I found using googles when I took the kids swimming really helped me with all the splashing and actually thinking that if all these people can do it so can I. Still shook like a leaf this morning as I was getting ready and going in though.

Do you think you could ask to sit in and watch a lesson and see what happens in them? I think I was most afraid of just meeting everyone else and admitting I was unable to swim at all.

OP posts:
gramercy · 29/06/2012 17:22

Also - I know it's silly - but I am no young sylph. I might have to purchase a burkini before taking the plunge.

www.ahiida.com/

assumpta · 30/06/2012 10:02

I did my first ever length of back stroke yesterday and was very proud of myself. I am sure it wasn't great T look at or graceful, but I got from one end of the pool to the other. Wasn't great on the way back though! Oh well, not to worry. Front crawl next week, which I cannot manage at all! I also cried one week, no shame in that.

[gramercy] give it a go, you don't have to continue, but it might be your thing. I just want to be able to do something in the pool besides just standing there like a lemon, and hopefully I will! I never knew this type of swimwear even existed! It must be so hard to swim with all that gear on dragging you down through the water.

[melody] do u mind me asking how old you are? Are there many in your class? Goggles are a godsend for when you put your face in the water. You will be able to do it. If I can, anyone can.