Learning to Swim as an adult Options

[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.

Leave my glasses on.

Yes, I tried that and nearly lost a pair in the water. I could never have dived down to get them! I should have tied them round my neck. I was also once asked to remove them as the lenses were glass - I suppose they thought it might be dangerous if they got broken.

[Susie]

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.

Yes, I tried that and nearly lost a pair in the water. I could never have dived down to get them! I should have tied them round my neck. I was also once asked to remove them as the lenses were glass - I suppose they thought it might be dangerous if they got broken.

My son is very short sighted and he was very worried about not being able to see when he was learning to swim. He tried a pair of the goggles that you can buy with various powers of lenses already in them and although they were not strong enough, and didn't match the prescription each eye needed, he had enough better vision to be able to distinguish one person from another.

You might find a pair that would give you enough vision to improve your confidence so that you could swim again.

[corenfa]

.... 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.

If you do use contact lenses (anyone, not just Maizie (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) in the pool, even with goggles over, do change them immediately afterwards - voice of experience speaking here, I got a nasty eye infection from forgetting to do so.

[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.

Yes, I tried that and nearly lost a pair in the water. I could never have dived down to get them! I should have tied them round my neck. I was also once asked to remove them as the lenses were glass - I suppose they thought it might be dangerous if they got broken.

I'm not a good enough swimmer to be at much risk of losing them.
Haven't been swimming for years.
I did get up to doing 40 lengths (25 metre) 2 or 3 times a week but it was hurting my hip and knee probably because of not having reasonable technical facility.
Swimming sessions are fairly limited meaning having to go at lunch time. Also by the time I've walked the mile there and the mile (uphill) back I've already got my exercise in.

[VH2]

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.

Yes, I tried that and nearly lost a pair in the water. I could never have dived down to get them! I should have tied them round my neck. I was also once asked to remove them as the lenses were glass - I suppose they thought it might be dangerous if they got broken.

1. One of the great things about swimming is that you can be very short sighted and still do it. There is nothing to read, no little balls to strike, so you really don't need much residual sight if you remove your glasses.
2. Yes it is dangerous to wear glasses, and that remains true (though less so) even if they have plastic rather than glass lenses, because of the danger of them being struck by someone's swinging arm. If your eyesight is really, really bad (say 10 dioptres or worse) you can get prescription swimming goggles, or even wear contacts under swimming goggles. Goggles are not entirely safe, but because of their shape, and because they are close fitting, they are safer than glasses.

I did get up to doing 40 lengths (25 metre) 2 or 3 times a week but it was hurting my hip and knee probably because of not having reasonable technical facility.

More likely it is because you were swimming breast stroke, which puts tremendous strains on the knees, hips and lower back. To swim long distances in comfort you need to do front crawl. Once you master the timing of the breathing it is very comfortable and the least likely stroke to cause any injury.

[sbhoa]

I did get up to doing 40 lengths (25 metre) 2 or 3 times a week but it was hurting my hip and knee probably because of not having reasonable technical facility.

More likely it is because you were swimming breast stroke, which puts tremendous strains on the knees, hips and lower back. To swim long distances in comfort you need to do front crawl. Once you master the timing of the breathing it is very comfortable and the least likely stroke to cause any injury.

Yes I was but never having been taught any stroke properly I can only really manage an approximation...but it gets me through the water. Front crawl is hard on my back since I swim with my head out of the water.
Interesting to note times for 100m in the Olympics were faster than my best for 25m.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Aquarelle]

1. One of the great things about swimming is that you can be very short sighted and still do it. There is nothing to read, no little balls to strike, so you really don't need much residual sight if you remove your glasses.

Except that when I don't wear my glasses for 15 minutes of more my eyes start to feel very tired. I might try to see if adapted swimming goggles are on sale anywhere here. That sounds about the best solution.

[ianporsche]

I have trouble seeing without my glasses too- actually in the water does it actually make much difference since the water distorts light quite strongly anyway?
I'm really looking forward to my next swimming lesson, makes a change as I always dreaded it as a child.

[Crotchetymum]

I know that I can swim without my glasses - I can at least see if there's another body in the lane that I'm about to crash into - but I hate doing it. I feel very vulnerable if I can't see properly. I've worn contact lenses under goggles successfully, but I hardly ever wear contacts now. I think if I was going to swim regularly I would invest in a good pair of prescription goggles.

Good luck with your next lesson, ianporsche (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Swell Box]

I took my daughter to Richmond pool this morning and it was freeeeezing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/snowflake.gif) I was almost tempted to offer them a Shilling for the meter, but we did have a good swim! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Anyhow, just before 11.30 a nice young Lifeguard lady came over and informed us that we needed to leave the pool very soon as it was 'over 50's only' after that time. That really made my day. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Next they'll be asking me for proof of age when I ask for a pint of Guinness at our local. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

SB

[Pixie*Porsche]

I am short sighted (-8 in both eyes) and have just started swimming again (and going to the gym, will shift this weight lol) I just leave my glasses in the locker and get in the pool. Really doesn't bother me. Then again I often walk around my house without my glasses on and make cups of coffee in the morning without them on!

12 lengths and counting (6 breast stroke, 6 front crawl) for me at the moment, this is after a 2 mile walk and an hour in the gym 4 times per week. Hopefully, I'll shift some weight finally...

Can't really help with learning to swim as I can't remember a time I couldn't swim! Apart from to say good luck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[all ears]

I find it scary not being able to see where land is when swimming in the sea, so I'm a big fan of corrective goggles. I've had 2 pairs over as many decades, so they have definitely been worth the purchase price.

I used to swim with glasses on, but when my children were small, diving after them etc. caused me to drop my glasses on the bottom of the pool at least twice...not worth it.

[ianporsche]

Can't really help with learning to swim as I can't remember a time I couldn't swim! Apart from to say good luck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

My wife says exactly the same thing!

I'm having my second lesson tonight and really looking forward to it. Thats the main difference between trying to learn as a child and now- before I really hated going to the pool.

[principal4]

My secondary school had a swimming pool, but no programme for teaching non-swimmers to swim! I had to have lessons with other adult learners (I was a teenager then), and on balance I'm glad I did.

Made sure my son had lessons at our local pool when he was in single figures!

P4

[Chime]

I got prescription swim goggles from Specsavers several years ago - I can't remember how much they were - but it can't have been much as I had very little spare cash at the time! I have an idea it might have been during a 'buy one pair, get one free' - and the allowed me have the free glasses in the form of swim goggles! My eyesight is unfortunetly worse now that it was then - but they are still fine for swimming.

Alternatively, when I forget them, I just wear normal goggles over my contact lenses. I generally wear daily lenses, so just chuck them away after my swim (or as soon as I get to my glasses!)