Fear of water.

My father was telling me how he learned to swim and who taught him. (He was old enough to actually remember his first swim lesson instructor.) How many of you overcame a fear of water or know someone that did in learning to swim? I have taught dozens of adults how to swim. Many of them were initially either afraid of water or somewhat uncomfortable in the aquatic environment. What's worked best is to get in the water with them and do activities that show them it can be fun and safe. I make sure they feel safe and secure the entire time and even say things, like "if you have trouble standing up after you take some strokes, I will help you," or "just reach for my hand if you need support," etc. Many of them have this fear if they are in the horizontal position swimming, they won't be able to stand up...One woman cried, she was so overjoyed she overcame her fear and learned to take her first strokes.

My father was telling me how he learned to swim and who taught him. (He was old enough to actually remember his first swim lesson instructor.) How many of you overcame a fear of water or know someone that did in learning to swim? I have taught dozens of adults how to swim. Many of them were initially either afraid of water or somewhat uncomfortable in the aquatic environment. What's worked best is to get in the water with them and do activities that show them it can be fun and safe. I make sure they feel safe and secure the entire time and even say things, like "if you have trouble standing up after you take some strokes, I will help you," or "just reach for my hand if you need support," etc. Many of them have this fear if they are in the horizontal position swimming, they won't be able to stand up...One woman cried, she was so overjoyed she overcame her fear and learned to take her first strokes.