Learning to swim??

[Heavencloud]

So I'm 19 and I don't know how to swim.

What's the best way to learn? It's kinda embarrassing, but no school I've ever gone to has had a pool or anything, so never really put in the effort to learn. Family was never in to doing much with water either (I live in the northwest, it's cold/rainy here 90% of the time).

However I'd like to learn, so if anyone else didn't know up to around my age or beyond some advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm just wondering like what would be the best place to work on it and how long it might take to get this hang of it. I'm not in particularly bad shape, but I'm not super fit either, 6'5" 190lbs.

I know most people learn when their really young but it's kinda too late for that, so yeah...

[gaira]

jump in and try not to drown.
(this is not being sarcastic, just pick an area of water you know the depth of, and can touch bottom if you need to)

it's not that hard.

[Kaisha]

Just find a local pool that has a wading section that slopes downwards towards the deep-end, and just take your time while keeping near the edge incase your freak out and need support.

[*Shinzon*]

I learned to swim at the Navy Maritime college near me, I would advise taking a course if you ever plan to really swim at a beach or in any open water. If you're just in a pool you don't really need to do anymore than float. Swimming classes make a big difference because you'll be prepared and wont panic when you're in deep water.

[Heavencloud]

I learned to swim at the Navy Maritime college near me, I would advise taking a course if you ever plan to really swim at a beach or in any open water. If you're just in a pool you don't really need to do anymore than float. Swimming classes make a big difference because you'll be prepared and wont panic when you're in deep water.

Thanks, this is more the point I want to get to. I'll look into getting into a class soon, because I'd like to be able to swim under any condition. How long was your course?

[Cleverness]

I knew how to float on my back cause my dad taught me when I was little at the beach, but I learned to swim at 17 in High School at swimming class. I learned ALOT and I don't have any fear of the water anymore, I suggest you take a good swimming course that should hopefully be readily available in lots of places over the summer.

See if they let you use some of those feet fins afterwards, feels good man.

[Weiing]

You're 19? Do you go to college or anything? Even a local community college may have classes. Perhaps a local club like YMCA?

There's nothing to be ashamed of.

I think it may be helpful to take a swimming class just to learn proper swimming, I guess. I taught myself how to swim basically when I was young and I think my swimming technique really sucks. >_>

But if you don't have money really, perhaps find a pool and start from the shallow end.

Good luck.

[Kaylia]

Is it even possible to not know how to swim? As long you're not panicking, I can't imagine anyone having trouble to move in water.

[edit]
Do what Gaira said and find a place with water that isn't too deep. You will figure out the rest on your own in less than 2 minutes. Human body is slightly heavier than water, it wwill never sink like a rock. Nearly any movement will keep you above the water.

[*Shinzon*]

Thanks, this is more the point I want to get to. I'll look into getting into a class soon, because I'd like to be able to swim under any condition. How long was your course?

You don't need a Navy college or anything like that either. Local YMCA's, maybe even boys&girls clubs? Would offer basic swimming classes. The classes I took prepared the students for eventually taking the life guard cert course though. I took the course when I was young, and gradually increasing in difficulty and goals over I guess a 3 year period. One basic course though is all you need and I would really recommend it. The courses I guess vary on intensity and length but basically they'll focus on first getting you acquainted with the water and floating, then they'll teach you the primary strokes. It really helps to to understand what you can do in a class because the open water is really unpredictable. I guess really what it comes down to is how comfortable you are at the end of the course. Because you could complete the course and still not be confident in your ability. So it probably comes down to how prepared you really want to be.

[bebeci]

Yah, you'll probably have to take a course.
I've been swimming since childhood, and my friend asked me to teach him. Didn't work out that well.

Granted, it'll be a bit frustrating, and it's a lot of muscle memory.

[Heavencloud]

You don't need a Navy college or anything like that either. Local YMCA's, maybe even boys&girls clubs? Would offer basic swimming classes. The classes I took prepared the students for eventually taking the life guard cert course though.

I'll look into doing it at a YMCA that's not too far from my house once my summer classes end.

@Kaylia It is mostly panicking issue honestly, when you've never really been around water that much in your life you don't really know what to do when there's no ground under you.

[Mizango]

I learned to swim at the Navy Maritime college near me, I would advise taking a course if you ever plan to really swim at a beach or in any open water. If you're just in a pool you don't really need to do anymore than float. Swimming classes make a big difference because you'll be prepared and wont panic when you're in deep water.

Right on the money. Good luck man.

[Kaisha]

Is it even possible to not know how to swim? As long you're not panicking, I can't imagine anyone having trouble to move in water.

If you don't know how to keep a rhythm going and steady your breathing, you can get fucked up pretty quickly in any situation involving waves.

Main problem I have with swimming (well, aside from lack of endurace, if I weighed less would be a lot easier) though is water always getting stuck in my ears, particularly if I fuck about and do somersaults and the like. Anyone got advice for that, or am I stuck to needing ear plugs to prevent two days of head-aches following the session?

[*Shinzon*]

If you don't know how to keep a rhythm going and steady your breathing, you can get fucked up pretty quickly in any situation involving waves.

Main problem I have with swimming (well, aside from lack of endurace, if I weighed less would be a lot easier) though is water always getting stuck in my ears, particularly if I fuck about and do somersaults and the like. Anyone got advice for that, or am I stuck to needing ear plugs to prevent two days of head-aches following the session?

If you have a problem with that, the only way to stop it is Ear plugs. I get water in there but I'm always able to get it out and it never bothers me. If you end up having water in your ears for an extended period of time you can get really bad ear infections. There's tons of earplugs on the market that can help you just need to go to a store that sells swimming gear.

[gaira]

If you don't know how to keep a rhythm going and steady your breathing, you can get fucked up pretty quickly in any situation involving waves.

Main problem I have with swimming (well, aside from lack of endurace, if I weighed less would be a lot easier) though is water always getting stuck in my ears, particularly if I fuck about and do somersaults and the like. Anyone got advice for that, or am I stuck to needing ear plugs to prevent two days of head-aches following the session?

just blow steadily out of your nose while underwater and doing whatever.
not hard or anything, just expel air so it doesn't come back in.

[Kaylia]

@Kaylia It is mostly panicking issue honestly, when you've never really been around water that much in your life you don't really know what to do when there's no ground under you.

If it's panicking that is your issue, I can understand. I would just start with a pool that have a shallow section (above your waist at least) and mess around. Nothing wrong can possibly happen

Try floating after taking a big breath, try sitting down at the bottom of the pool (it's actually harder than it looks since you float). There is no reason to be worried as long you can touch the bottom when you're standing.

[edit]
And one thing to keep in mind. no matter how you move your legs, it will always push you forward. Your arms, you need to actually push the water behind you, but you can keep your head above the water moving your legs like a retard.

[Shenrien]

when I was younger my parents put a life jacket on me, and threw me into a pool and I learned all by my self, push the water around you with your hands and kick with your legs.

eventually they took the life jacket off and put on water wings, they were getting in my way, and one day they fell off and I sunk to the bottom of the pool and sat there for about 20 seconds before I finally started to make my way up, I suggest you do the same

[*Shinzon*]

when I was younger my parents put a life jacket on me, and threw me into a pool and I learned all by my self, push the water around you with your hands and kick with your legs.

eventually they took the life jacket off and put on water wings, they were getting in my way, and one day they fell off and I sunk to the bottom of the pool and sat there for about 20 seconds before I finally started to make my way up, I suggest you do the same

That's kind of stupid advice, no offense. It's one of the reasons that so many kids die every year on beaches and open water. Parents think that because their kids can float in a pool that they can handle themselves in open water. It's not nearly the same. You only learn to swim properly in a class. That's a great way to teach someone to get acquainted with a pool, but it's also a good way to get themselves killed in open water.

[Shenrien]

natural selection.

[Max™]

First thing that came to mind.


I used to try to emulate hummingbird hovering to tread water, bring your knees up, arms out to your sides, do figure-eights with your hands, and scissor kick occasionally to reduce the strain on your arms.