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The reason? I'm scared of deep water. When I was a kid, I was scared that my floater would suddenly get punctured while in a deep pool. Now as an adult, even when I am wearing a life vest in open water, I am scared that a strap might suddenly snap out. Wahaha...
But I love water and I like going to the beach. So about 3 years ago, I added "learn how to swim" to my bucket list but as usual, I never got around doing it.
Two months ago, I caught up with some ex-colleagues and for whatever reason, we talked about swimming. We decided to meet up one Saturday so they can teach me. I couldn't control my arms and feet, I drank a lot of water from the pool (wahaha...) and water kept entering my ears. But that attempt got me going so I googled for swim coaches and swimming lessons for adults nearby.
Three weeks ago, I finally decided to enroll in a swimming class for adults. During the first session, here's the conversation with my 2 classmates:
Me: Why did you enroll?
Classmate 1: I want to be more efficient with my strokes so I don't get easily tired in triathlons.
Me: <Gulp! He's a triathlete!>
Classmate 2: I want to improve my form and just like him, my goal is not to tire easily.
Me: <Cringe! They both know how to swim! Uh-oh...>
2 Classmates: How about you?
Me: Survival. I just want to learn how to swim. Wahaha...
Me: Survival. I just want to learn how to swim. Wahaha...
We had twice a week sessions. The coach would give us drills which we had to repeat until we got the correct movements, then the drill progresses.
In between our classes, I practiced on my own. After class, my classmates and I also stayed behind to further practice.
On our 4th session, I was able to swim freestyle for 12.5 meters straight. Why 12.5 meters? That's the middle of the pool - the exact spot before the pool's depth becomes 6 ft, then 8 ft! Haha... When I achieved that feat, even the lifeguard and the attendants cheered and clapped (because sometimes I would chat with them and they knew I started from zero skill). Haha...
The weekend after my 4th session, I kept on practicing on my own and was able to successfully swim across a 25-meter lap pool - not just once but 4 successful attempts. Yay! But that pool is shallow so I was relaxed and there was no fear of deep water.
On our 6th session, my coach said it was time for me to try to swim across the 25meter pool - but as I mentioned earlier, the pool we use for class was half-shallow and half-deep - up to 8 ft deep! Waaa....
My coach asked me to start from the deep end so that if I don't make the entire stretch, hopefully, I'll reach the shallow part. But I was so scared that I held on tightly to a pole for the next 10 minutes and tried to negotiate with my coach to postpone it until the next session. I am sure I looked stupid in the pool. Wahaha...
See, even if I knew my coach was there to save me if I drown and even if I knew there was a lifeguard on stand by, I was still so scared. I couldn't detach myself from the wall! The thought of deep water - in this case, 8ft. - paralyzed me.
Another coach suggested that I try to stand at the bottom of the pool to get a feel at how deep the water is (while still holding on to the pole!). I did that twice and it helped because when you reach the bottom, you do get pushed up to the surface. So I thought - even if I fail and sink, I would get pushed up to the surface and maybe, when i reach the surface, I could hold on to the wall for safety. So with that, I was ready to overcome my fear and I finally let go of the wall.
And guess what? I made it across the full 25 meters. Yay!
It's amazing how I made progress in just 3 weeks. But there's still so much to learn like improving my form, strokes and breathing. And for the record, I am still scared of deep water! But at least, I've already started with baby steps.
Just some tips if you also plan to learn how to swim:
1. It's ideal to enroll in a class or get a coach because they have a technique of teaching progressive drills and before you know it, you're able to swim already. I've read a lot of reviews online and this is how most people describe the experience - regardless of the swim school or coach.
2. You need to practice in between classes because swimming requires muscle memory.
3. It helps to watch video tutorials. One of my ex-colleagues shared that he learned the butterfly stroke just by following a Youtube video tutorial! Wow... In my case, I downloaded the complete set of "Total Immersion's Perpetual Motion Freestyle" (USD19.95 from the TI website) since Total Immersion (TI) is the technique used by my coach. I would watch the short videos every now and then so hopefully the movements get imprinted on my mind.
4. After the session, if you feel there's water in your ear, just tilt your head sideways - the affected ear should be parallel to the ground. If the water does not come out, you can create vacuum by placing your palm flat against the ear, then pressing against it for a few seconds.
5. After swimming, you'll feel super hungry! The first time I spent 2 hours in the pool, I ordered a pizza and pasta! Wahaha.... Just drink water first after swimming because you're actually thirsty. Ok, you're really hungry too (but not as hungry as you think) after quenching your thirst.
6. Just have fun! Instead of being embarrassed that I don't know how to swim, I proudly shared with everyone that I had zero skill so they'll have high tolerance if I look stupid in the pool. Haha...
So if you also don't know how to swim and you've always wished you knew how, stop wishing. Just do it!:) Google for a swim coach or swimming lessons for adults in your area.
It's never too late to learn something new. In fact, I came across one video of a man who learned how to swim TI-style at age 93! :)
It's never too late to learn something new. In fact, I came across one video of a man who learned how to swim TI-style at age 93! :)
