Hi I've realised that I'm well overdue for learning to swim (I'm 44) and for the first time this is something I actually want to do.

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 had a look on the internet at pools around where I am (South Oxfordshire) and there seem to be a lot of lessons for children, but not so much for adults. As a child I was always quite scared in the water, but now I realise that I am missing so much not being able to swim.

Any thought would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

This is a brilliant thing to do! My mother learnt as an adult; she had one-to-one lessons and this way was able to choose times that were quiet in the pool as she was sensitive about being an older learner, and also she was able to build up a great relationship of trust with the person who was teaching her, which really helped her confidence. Best of luck

Most community swimming pools will provide one-on-one lessons for adults, often at a time dedicated to adult beginners and improvers, when neither the general public nor children taking lessons are allowed in the pool. If your local pool does not advertise adult lessons, ask the staff. Lessons can still probably be arranged.

My nephew has just qualified as a swimming instructor in E. Sussex. His pool runs adult only classes when the pool is shut to other swimmers. Your local borough council may know which pools have this service in your area. If not, as VH2 says, ring the pool directly and speak to the staff.

All the best, ianporsche, and well done for taking the plunge! (Sorry... )

Hi Ian.

Firstly, I would choose a proper swimming pool, with a shallow and deep end, rather than a leisure centre with wave making machines and so forth. You can do without waves when you are first learning to swim!

Secondly, I am sure that lessons would help, but you might like to spend a couple of half-hour session in the pool getting just used to the feeling on your own or with family or friends. Ideally, choose a time when the pool is likely to be quiet.

I gather there is a small minority of people who genuinely cannot swim for one reason or another, but by far the majority can once they have developed the confidence to float on the water. The business of propelling yourself through the water comes next. (I seem to remember there was a school of thought that babies should be thrown into the water at three months or so, as at that age they will swim naturally, and will not have developed any fear of water.)

There are usually buoyancy aids around the pool which can be borrowed just to get your confidence up. As others have suggested, ask the pool staff about lessons. Most pools also have a notice board which gives details of swimming clubs and lessons.

Good luck, and most importantly, enjoy it!

SB

Im 65 and never learned to swim. My father never did (Hes 92 in a couiple of weeks), and when I was little the local pool alternated between males one day and females next to my mother, who did swim, couldnt take me.
I dont think I was ever scared of the water, but I hated getting it in my eyes.

Try this: www.britishgasswimming.co.uk

Good luck. One secret is to relax - this will help you to float which is the first thing to learn to do.

My Other Half learned to swim when in his late 30's. Had lessons at the local pool and thoroughly recommends having lessons. Good luck!

I wanted to say that, but wasn't sure whether it would be good advice.

F#minor's story about alternating days for men and women reminds me of an evening when I went for a swim in a pool at Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

I found the pool easily enough, and could see that it was open, but the main doors were closed. I was directed to a side door, paid four Guilders or whatever and went to change. The attendant was trying to tell me something, but my Dutch is nonexistent, and he evidently didn't speak English, but he seemed to be telling me to take off my Speedos.

Anyhow, from what I could gather it turned out that it was an 'unclothed swimming session' for adults only, although I didn't get as far as the pool to find out.

I tried to rationalise that nobody there would know me, but modesty got the better of me and I left without even getting my feet wet.

That could only happen in Holland!

SB

My daughter (16) is a much better swimmer than me, has swum since she was 4, used to train at a swimming club etc. but has always struggled, and still struggles, to float - in the sense of just lying on the water and doing nothing. So, whereas it seems to make sense to learn this first, I wonder...

By contrast, I treat water like a bed and could lie in/on it for hours - I think it's because I have a lower density (more fat ) than her..

This isn't any help to the OP, I'm afraid...but next week I'm going to find out if I can remember how to swim...long story, but I'm not living on campus for our Summer School next week. I found a B&B for ?35 a night - and my room has its own en-suite INDOOR SWIMMING POOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can hardly believe it. Amazing!

I don't think I've been in a swimming pool since I was about 14 - which was a *cough* while ago...but I've bought myself a cozzie...*holds nose and jumps*...

Ooo Mrs!



Another thing to remember, is not to worry if it takes a long time to learn. I look lessons as a child, and whilst I enjoyed lessons it took much longer for me than for others. I took the beginner's course at least twice. Then one day it just clicked and I swam three quarters of a mile.

Sharks can't float !!
Sharks can swim.

Perhaps we're using the word float in two different ways.

You don't need to be able to lie on top of the water without moving in order to be able to swim. However, you do (like a shark) need to be able to be in the water without sinking, and be able to maintain your limbs and torso in a sense of balance.

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.

I "learnt" as a child but never properly (always had my head above the water ). 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!)

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.

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....

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

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

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! )

Have fun

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.

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.

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!

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.

Leave my glasses on.

What an offer.

SB

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.

If you do use contact lenses (anyone, not just Maizie ) 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.

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.

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.


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....

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.

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.

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

I took my daughter to Richmond pool this morning and it was freeeeezing. I was almost tempted to offer them a Shilling for the meter, but we did have a good swim!

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.

Next they'll be asking me for proof of age when I ask for a pint of Guinness at our local.

SB

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.

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.

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.

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

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!)

I recommend backstroke as being the least strain on the back (though I only dare do it in the pool if I'm in a lane by myself)!

Until relatively recently I could only do breast stroke. About 10 years ago I learned backstroke by watching my daughter having lessons. I couldn't do front crawl at all but decided to have a couple of private lessons with the teacher I considered had been the best teacher for my daughter. I'm not really keen on it (and not fit enough to keep it up for long). The older I get, the less I like having my face in the water - though I think that is partly because the water seems much more heavily chlorinated than it was when I was a child, or perhaps just seems like it because it is several degrees warmer than the outdoor pools I learned in (or perhaps my eyes have just become more sensitive).

I am short sighted and don't bother about not seeing in pools but always swim in my prescription sunglasses in the sea. I'm very good at holding on to them when knocked over by big waves.

Hi
I thought I'd give an update about how I'm getting on.
I have had 9 lessons so far (and at least 1 further visit to the pool a week for practise, more If I'm on holiday from work).
I can now do lengths backstroke- not yet with the proper arm stroke though, just sculling at the sides, however I am starting to try and put the proper arm motion in.
Freestyle is a bit more of a struggle, I can do it a little bit wearing fins, without I seem to struggle to keep moving when I''m turning off my side.
Breaststroke is something we've hardly covered in the lessons at all- which suprises me a bit!

Well done you!

My children learned backstroke and front crawl well before they tried breaststroke so that must be the way they do it now!

Actually did some breaststroke in the lesson last night!

Breaststroke is:

a) the slowest stroke
b) the most exhausting (energy used for distance travelled)
c) most injurious (neck, knees, hips, lower back)

Its advantages are that it keeps you can keep the head out of the water if you wish, and the brteaststroke kick generates a lot of power, which is useful if you are towing someone (e.g. exhausted or injured swimmer)

Front crawl is the fastest stroke, the most efficient, and the least likely to casue any injury

Butterfly is almost as fast as front crawl, not much more energetic if you have good technique (except when swum very fast).

Backstroke is very comfortable, and quite fast, but (for a number of reasons) not so efficient as front crawl.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not chlorine in the water that hurts your eyes. (There is hardly any free chlorine - as ions - in a pool anyway. It is present mostly as OCl and HOCl). It is a group of chemicals called trichloramines that are produced by the reaction of Chlorine with urine that are the irritant that stings the eyes.

Unfortunately not much can be done about the urine. The pressure of water on the abdomen forces some involuntary release. But nowadays many pools use Ozone to keep the bacterial count down, and it is much friendlier on the eyes.