How to swim when you're too scared!

RE: How to swim when you're too scared!

BobBruce — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 10:31:12 GMT

I strong recommend that you look into the book "Teach Yourself to Swim like a Pro" (and related resources) by Dr. Pete Anderson, long-time swimmer, coach, and USMS member (and record holder). Visit: LearnToSwimProgram.com. In my opinion, this is the best set of resources available on this topic: so much useful information and so many small-step progressions that I cannot do it justice in this short space. See for yourself.

RE: How to swim when you're too scared!

DeniseMW — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 08:51:42 GMT

Thanks, Daniel. Didn't even know they had that resource. There's a guy not far from me so maybe I'll give him a call as I'm looking for a coach.

RE: How to swim when you're too scared!

Daniel Paulling — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:55:07 GMT

If you're looking for help, you can always use USMS's Adult Learn-to-Swim instructor database: www.usms.org/.../altsinstrsearch.php.

RE: How to swim when you're too scared!

DeniseMW — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:55:33 GMT

Also, hold onto the wall, put your face in the water, and blow bubbles. I agree with orca, a good swim instructor can go a long way to overcoming water anxiety. I know this from personal experience because I grew up around people who kept trying to push me under and developed a terrible fear of the water. I took class at my rec center when I was in my 40s and the teacher helped us with small steps. I love swimming but I still have a "thing" about going over my head, maybe I feel like one of my crazy cousins will rise up and grab my ankle, or I hear my mother yelling don't go over your head you'll drown, or any of the other myriad insanities I grew up with. I'll go in the deep end with an instructor, or someone I trust, but not alone. I'm pretty confident swimmer otherwise, thanks to that instructor who was so patient and understood that most adults are learning to swim for the first time because something prevented them from doing it as children. Bless you, Star, wherever you are.

RE: How to swim when you're too scared!

orca1946 — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 01:50:47 GMT

OK - then maybe sign up for some swim lessons with a qualified learn to swim instructor. The above is a list of how to do it by yourself & another swim instructor will help you with all of these.