Gerald, 58, came to me and practically begged me to teach him how to swim. He is new in our community and had been watching me swim while he lifted weights in the gym. Although Gerald used to fool around in the water with his identical twin brother when they were kids, he had only swum underwater and never learned any of the strokes.
Well, Gerald recently heard from his brother that he learned how to swim. To rub salt in the wound further, Gerald's brother bragged about swimming at hotel pools when they travel. :blah: Needless to say, Gerald is highly motivated to catch up to his brother, especially before bro comes to visit Gerald and his wife here in the community.
Although I have taught two people how to swim, I am not a certified instructor, but I have been using the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation Adult-Learn-To-Swim Volunteer Teacher Swim Lesson Guide.
We started just three weeks ago, and here is a video from today's 7th lesson:
www.youtube.com/watch
(Although he has also added breathing, this video shows his stroke better.)
As you can see, when he is kicking and moving forward, he is able to stay on the surface. The thing is, he can't float! This former football player is solid muscle, and he sinks like a rock! Seriously. Air in the lungs? Check. Chin and belly up? Check. Shoulders and lungs pressed back? Check. Relaxed? Check. He is very comfortable underwater, so he doesn't mind going under, but he won't rise to the surface once he's down! On a push off the wall and a "Superman" glide, he looks great-- until he comes to a complete stop on the BOTTOM of the pool (which is 5 feet deep). He'll just lay there until he runs out of breath. When he does stand up, we both just laugh!
This guy is DEDICATED and wants swimming to become his main fitness focus. He has practiced every single day since our first lesson in late May, and he is determined. Between his dedication, determination, size 15 feet, and long fingers; I think he'll be a really good swimmer. In fact, I told him if he keeps up the good work, I'll bring him with me to compete at the Georgia Senior Olympics, in September! :cheerleader:
Any ideas on how I can get Gerald to float without supporting him? :help: He even sinks with my pull buoy! :bouncing:
Hi Elaine, I think you've done a wonderful job with Gerald in such a short period of time! Congrats to you! I did notice in the video that he is holding his breath for quite a long time, and then the video cuts off, so I'm assuming he is not comfortable with breathing. Developing his ability to breathe (connected with his core strength and ability to rotate to the side to take a breath) is key here so I would focus on that more than I would focus on ankle flexibility at this point. Good that you're not really focusing on fins and allowing him to develop a natural kick - since he is a beginner with no ankle flexibility at all, the fins might do more harm than good. Keep up the great work and best of luck to Gerald on his swimming journey!
Hi, Julia! :wave: Thanks!!
Gerald wasn't holding his breath; I just posted a video where I had asked him to swim WITHOUT turning to breath to see how long he could go on one controlled exhale. The reason I posted this video rather than one of him breathing is so that you could see more of his stroke without him stopping. I have taught him how to breathe. Here is a video from the same day:
www.youtube.com/watch
I'm getting mixed reviews on whether Gerald should get fins or not. Some say the fins would help him gain flexibility. Personally, I agree somewhat, but I also think the fins would help make him more buoyant. As I mentioned in the thread title, the poor guy sinks like a rock! If fins would help him float, I'm hoping he would feel more encouraged to learn backstroke-- or, at least kicking on his back as a drill.
If Gerald does get fins, I would encourage him to limit his use of them, and only use them for kicking drills.
Meanwhile, thanks for the encouragement to both of us! :agree: Please say hello to your dad and brother for me. They helped make Maryland Nationals such a great experience for me!
Hi Elaine, I think you've done a wonderful job with Gerald in such a short period of time! Congrats to you! I did notice in the video that he is holding his breath for quite a long time, and then the video cuts off, so I'm assuming he is not comfortable with breathing. Developing his ability to breathe (connected with his core strength and ability to rotate to the side to take a breath) is key here so I would focus on that more than I would focus on ankle flexibility at this point. Good that you're not really focusing on fins and allowing him to develop a natural kick - since he is a beginner with no ankle flexibility at all, the fins might do more harm than good. Keep up the great work and best of luck to Gerald on his swimming journey!
Hi, Julia! :wave: Thanks!!
Gerald wasn't holding his breath; I just posted a video where I had asked him to swim WITHOUT turning to breath to see how long he could go on one controlled exhale. The reason I posted this video rather than one of him breathing is so that you could see more of his stroke without him stopping. I have taught him how to breathe. Here is a video from the same day:
www.youtube.com/watch
I'm getting mixed reviews on whether Gerald should get fins or not. Some say the fins would help him gain flexibility. Personally, I agree somewhat, but I also think the fins would help make him more buoyant. As I mentioned in the thread title, the poor guy sinks like a rock! If fins would help him float, I'm hoping he would feel more encouraged to learn backstroke-- or, at least kicking on his back as a drill.
If Gerald does get fins, I would encourage him to limit his use of them, and only use them for kicking drills.
Meanwhile, thanks for the encouragement to both of us! :agree: Please say hello to your dad and brother for me. They helped make Maryland Nationals such a great experience for me!
