Learning to Swim as an adult Options

[violinlove]

Is there anybody on here who learnt while thet were an Adult? I'm just wondering what the best way to go about it would be, to take lessons or just go to a pool with a friend?

I would think lessons would be very helpful. You might want to go to the pool a couple of times before you actually start lessons just to get used to it and relax in the water.
I'm sure most pools offer adult lessons one-to-one, it's just they aren't as widely advertised as children's swim courses which are very popular.

Go for it. I got into swimming seriously about a year ago after 2 decades of never swimming. I absolutely love it and now swim 200-240 lengths a week.

[Tortellini]

I "learnt" as a child but never properly (always had my head above the water (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ). I started having individual lessons last year and it was great (helped that my instructor is gorgeous *ahem*). Every now and again I have a few more lessons to improve technique and I feel much more at ease in the water now. I decided that seeing as I insist on my children learning to swim I really should learn properly myself! Individual lessons are great and not that expensive (certainly not more than music lesson ime!)

[ianporsche]

Hi everyone and thanks!

I've been enquiring at local pools and as usual its not turning out to be as easy as I thought to get lessons.

My nearest pool won't let you have lessons without becoming a member at the cost of ?30 a month, another wants you to pay for a block of 13 lessons in advance, so still looking about for my best option.


On the subject of Sharks's-they may not be able to float (on top of the water), but seeing as they do not breath they don't really need to! Don't sharks die if they stop swimming ? I think there gills only work while they are moving.

[elephant]

Find a friend who will genuinely take account of the fact that you're scared of water.

My first experience in a swimming pool was dreadful - the lady who was going to teach me (when I was aged 4) accidentally dropped me into the water, very unpleasant. A second attempt, with a female swimming instructor was worse. Having waved away my mother's warning that my first experience had been unpleasant, she dragged me screaming round the pool "lifesaver" style to supposedly overcome my silly fear. I only had one lesson.

Then, an older cousin took me in hand, gently, gently and patiently. Within a month I was at the pool every day and went on to free- and scuba-dive, etc. etc. and I still love the water.

As a result, I made up my mind that I would try to help those who were tempted but scared. I've taught half a dozen adult friends. The most recent was too terrified to even put his face into the water.... After three months he was able to swim the full length of a 30 metre pool under water...

Find someone who understands and will take it easy. It may be an instructor, it may be a friend, but they must be understanding....

[Maizie]

You may have seen it before but it is worth a watch again.
Frank Skinner -a proper aquaphobe, absolutely terrified of the idea of swimming. For Sport Relief 2012 he had some teaching in order to try and swim one length - 25 metres.

Part 1 (5 mins 11 seconds):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khy-HfM3Y2g

Part 2 (3 minutes 28 seconds):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Aa8Iyz_Kp8...;feature=relmfu

[ianporsche]

First swiiming lesson tonight- and I'm actually looking forward to it!

[Maizie]

Enjoy it! Remember that the whole of forum-land will be cheering you on (but you won't have to suffer us all actually being there watching you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif))

[Crotchetymum]

Have fun (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[all ears]

Ianporsche, my husband would have been about your age when he learned to swim. He grew up in a chillly part of Japan, and never even thought about swimming until he suddenly realized that his wife and kids were swimming without him! He still looks a bit like a wind-up toy in the water, but he can definitely swim.

It did take him quite a long time, so perhaps your local pool is just being realistic in requiring you to commit yourself to having lessons for a reasonable length of time.

Learning to float was perhaps the hardest thing for him, but once he got the hang of it, other aspects of swimming progressed much more steadily.

[ianporsche]

Thanks for your support everyone!

The lesson went well, I think I managed to achieve more in 30 minutes than in a year when I was at school.
I think it makes a big difference to want to do something rather than being told you have to.

[stetenorve]

I couldn't swim properly until I was about 25. Then I was based at a branch of the bank not 200 yards away from the local authority swimming pool. And 2 attractive young ladies worked at the bank who swam for Derbyshire in their youth. They offered to teach me. What joy!

[Aquarelle]

What do other older swimers do about being short sighted? I used to swim as a child but haven't done so for a long while as I can't see much without my glasses and that makes me feel insecure in the water.

[Maizie]

What do other older swimers do about being short sighted? I used to swim as a child but haven't done so for a long while as I can't see much without my glasses and that makes me feel insecure in the water.

Out of the water - stick very close to the walls around the pool, actually usually with one hand in contact with the wall (the idea being it'll help me balance if a slide on the wet surface that I can't see).
In the water - hope for the best, really, which I know is not much use! I know you can get prescription goggles but that's not much use if you need two vastly different prescriptions (like I do). Contact lenses are an option if you can use them, with normal goggles on top to reduce the risk of them washing out and infection/irritation washing in.

[sbhoa]

What do other older swimers do about being short sighted? I used to swim as a child but haven't done so for a long while as I can't see much without my glasses and that makes me feel insecure in the water.

Leave my glasses on.

[Swell Box]

I couldn't swim properly until I was about 25. Then I was based at a branch of the bank not 200 yards away from the local authority swimming pool. And 2 attractive young ladies worked at the bank who swam for Derbyshire in their youth. They offered to teach me. What joy!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

What an offer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

SB