I started to learn to swim back in March. Since then, I can do the basics such as the front crawl and back stroke. My problem is that I don't feel comfortable in water that I can't stand up and actually touth the bottom of the pool. That restricts me to staying in water that's 5 1/2 feet or less. I use to be afraid to backstroke in 3 feet of water and I got myself out of that once I learned to stand myself up while in the water. I have not made any progress since. I won't even allow myself to learn to tread water because I am afraid to even get in deeper water even though the ropes and the wall is there for me. I don't know what to expect. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? What happens if I try to get myself to a stand up position in deeper water? Will I start to go down? My goal is to be able to get into 12 feet of water and be comfortable, and then I want to start swimming in the ocean. But, I don't know what's holding me back. I know it can be done because Masters can do anything in the water. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
I've never had problems with deep water, but I do have fear of submerging myself in water when I don't have my goggles on... With goggles I am a good amature swimmer, without goggles I am mentally like a drowning person (afraid to open my eyes..etc), except that my swimming experience helps me to keep everything under control, at least physically speaking...
So, I do not completely share the same fear, but fear nevertheless... And it surprises me how my fear is almost irrational, since the water doesn't get any more dangerous with or without my goggles on, and neither does my swimming ability... And it is in this situation that I think there's the parallel of our fears... shallow/deep water, goggles/no goggles, provided one can already swim/float decently when under a comfortable mentality...
I dunno if this'll help, but my suggestion (after this long rant) is to slide down the deep end from the deep end, holding onto the edge. First, try to submerge yourself with both hands holding firmly onto the edge, so you know you can pull up any time you want/need to. Then, let go on one hand. After that gets comfortable, let go of both hands, and submerge yourself slightly deeper and deepr everytime (keeping right beside the wall), knowing that a few kicks can get you to the surface of the water. Once that gets comfortable, back away so you're an arm's length from teh edge of the pool, and repeat the above steps... Repeat as often as needed...
I've never had problems with deep water, but I do have fear of submerging myself in water when I don't have my goggles on... With goggles I am a good amature swimmer, without goggles I am mentally like a drowning person (afraid to open my eyes..etc), except that my swimming experience helps me to keep everything under control, at least physically speaking...
So, I do not completely share the same fear, but fear nevertheless... And it surprises me how my fear is almost irrational, since the water doesn't get any more dangerous with or without my goggles on, and neither does my swimming ability... And it is in this situation that I think there's the parallel of our fears... shallow/deep water, goggles/no goggles, provided one can already swim/float decently when under a comfortable mentality...
I dunno if this'll help, but my suggestion (after this long rant) is to slide down the deep end from the deep end, holding onto the edge. First, try to submerge yourself with both hands holding firmly onto the edge, so you know you can pull up any time you want/need to. Then, let go on one hand. After that gets comfortable, let go of both hands, and submerge yourself slightly deeper and deepr everytime (keeping right beside the wall), knowing that a few kicks can get you to the surface of the water. Once that gets comfortable, back away so you're an arm's length from teh edge of the pool, and repeat the above steps... Repeat as often as needed...
