I want to learn to swim but

[maxpower]

I'm terrified of water. Have been all my life. I had swimming lessons when I was little and again with the school but I never got over the fear and consequently can't swim. DD loves the water (DH takes her swimming) but I know she really wants me to go in with her. I just can't.

I'm alright if I have a float with me - which I hang on to for dear life - but I just can't let go. I understand the theory of how you're supposed to swim, but the fear overtakes all that.

Has anyone conquered this?

Yes, to some extent. I had lessons last year after being petrified since....well, since forever, I guess. Whilst I'm still not a confident swimmer and would still prefer to saty dry (!), I now know that I CAN swim if I have to and I CAN survive dipping my head under water. I still don't like it but at least I know I can do it and not die!!!

Good luck.

well done janeite . Did you have one to one lessons or in a group? TBH I'm a bit embarrassed about not being able to swim and I suppose I'm worried that an instructor just wouldn't understand how scared I am.

Don't be embarrassed, lots of adults can't swim - learning to swim will change your life forever, apart from the skill itself, imagine the confidence you will gain from overcoming this fear.

Talk to your local pool, they will have met people just like you many times and will have exactly the right teacher to help you.

We swim frequently and often see a man in his forties having swimming lessons on his own, obviously scared, but he is progressing week by week. I am in awe of his bravery as it must be difficult but he's doing it and good luck to him... and you... just make that call now and ask to meet a teacher at the pool and talk through your fears before you even get near the water.

I could only swim backstroke for years as I couldn't/wouldn't put my face in the water

Eventually I got one-to-one swimming lessons as a birthday present from dh and it was brilliant! I was swimming properly - face in the water and everything - within a few weeks and last year I did the swimathon

I did it as part of a group, so we all helped to encourage each other.

I have just finished some swimming lessons and went from someone who couldn't put their face in the water to jumping in at the deep end on my last lesson. Worth doing and some places are doing them for free!

You could book some individual lessons maybe? Though I once (accidentally) found myself in the middle of an 'adult beginners' group lesson in the States, and it actually had a great atmosphere - very supportive and gentle, the teacher was really encouraging - none of that awful shouting and dunking I remember from being a child! But if you're very scared of water it might be a good idea to book a few one-on-one first. I'm sure there are teachers who specialise in this kind of thing, you're definitely not alone!

thanks everyone, it's nice to hear some positive stories.

I am going to my local leisure center to learn to swim front crawl, so although I can swim I wanted to improve.

there are so many adults young and old that are learning to swim there and as it is later at night no one else is aorund and no spectators - lovely atmosphere and reasuring teachers.

go for it - but possibly get soem one to one lessons - enquire at your local pool

My mum had private lessons at the local leisure centre a couple of years back (with a friend who similarly couldn't swim) and did amazingly well. The instructor took it all very gently, used lots of floats etc. and gave them exercises, for example putting their faces into bowls of water at home to get used to the sensations of breathing underwater. She's never going to be Rebecca Adlington but it made such a difference on the family holiday - she was able to enjoy herself in the pool, swim lengths, even joined in diving to the bottom to pick up bricks with the dcs.

Go for it.