Well I went to the pool yesterday to learn swimming, it was indoors very nice, however it was 8 lanes wide, and I got in the 4ft section, first off tried to learn to breath more than anything, cause my heart rate jumped up very quickly when i got in the water. I got very scared, just cause of my fear of water, and then like after 15-20 minutes I got comfortable with it.
However I tried to breath in the water, and I just couldn't do it, the water was going in my nose like crazy, I mean mad dashes of water, so then I tried the "humming method" didn't work either, cause the water was so cold, and I was shaking, i couldn't keep enough breath in to hum that well. SO we tried the nose clip, that was useless, It actually feels like someone is pinching my nose, and cutting my air supply off. Like I was getting no oxygen to my brain or something. Even though I know thats not the case, I didn't like not being able to breath like that.
The only postive thing for me was, being able to put the goggles on and actually getting the nose clip to work a little bit, for me to duck my head under the water, it was great when I got under there, but I paniced when I got under there, and my mouth opened and got full of water. There is no denying it. I was scared in there, but I got so discouraged when I seen other people jumping in and just start swimming all the way down and back. I just can't do it.
This mean so much to me. I want to learn this so bad. I have weightlifted for 5 years now. I want this so bad, and weightlifting is my life, I would drop weightlifting in a heartbeat to learn how to swim. I would do anything, and I mean anything. Like i said, I would love to...But I get so intimidated when I see all of that water. Oh well I know I can do this, but it's going to take me a long a$$ time. But I feel that sometimes I am just not meant to swim, I mean u know, how u r just destined to not do some things in life?
However.....then again, my gf, said she was so proud of me, for just getting in the water, she said thats the first step, is just getting in. She said that we would take this as slow as I wanted to, and considering she is a college swimmer and a lifeguard, and she is certified and stuff, I feel safe, but on the other hand, she said that it's kind of like me in working out, u start off not so good, but day in and day out u workout and you get better, she said swimming is the same exact way. I just have to try it a little bit more when ever I am ready.
I just want to learn this so much, I have never gained so much respect for a sport, than swimming, I respect the people that can get in there and swim. And I respect the people that can do it well, but I hope to have the courage and the faith to do this. I want it so bad, I just hope that someday I can overcome this and post on this board and say " Viper has learned how to swim" but until that day comes, I will continue to prepare for this, and do my very best. Well my GF is off for 5 days to compete at Georgia Tech so I wish her the best of luck, and I will keep everyone updated, thanks again for everything, and the support. This board rocks and has amazing people thank you for welcoming me here!!
-Viper
Former Member
Spend some time visualizing yourself being relaxed, and comfortable in the water. Take your learning slow bit by bit put the pieces together, and you will be totally at ease very soon. Enjoy the learning process, think of it as a journey, because I think the journeys, when you look back, are the enjoyable times in life. My most cherished memories are the ones where I really struggled with something and over came the struggles.
You will do awesome, enjoy the water, and have fun, bacause swimming really does rock!
At our Y they have adult lessons just for people who are highly afraid of water. Their goal is to get over the fear first and then you can learn to swim. Your GF is great for helping you, but since she has been a swimmer all her life she may not understand this fear, even though she tries. My husband always had a fear of deep water and it took someone else helping to get over it.
Good luck and it takes a lot of courage to do what you are trying to do!
Originally posted by viper10139
I would do anything, and I mean anything.
Consider taking a few lessons from a professional swim instructor. Ideally, look for a Total Immersion Certified instructor in your area. Or contact a swim coach in your area and ask about lessons.
This may sound childish and stupid, but I did it when I was learnign to swim. I practiced my bubbles in the tub. I would fill up the tub, then lay on my stomach and practice blowing bubbles through my noise and mouth. It helped me also because I could put my whole face/head. Then when you feel comfortable you can take what you learned about how your body reacts to water to the pool with you.
~Kyra
p.s. If the pool is REALLY cold, you won't be able to blow bubbles no matter how hard you try. That has happened to me in like lakes and stuff before, then you get a bunch of nasty fish water in your noise. YUCK!!
85 degrees should be nice and warm. The pool I swim in is right around the same temp and I never have a problem getting into the pool to start my routine.
Congrats on taking the steps to get started on becoming a swimmer. Before long you'll probably be impossible to keep out of the water and you'll start growing dorsal fins and gills.
Have fun!
It sounds like he has a lot of experience teaching people who have a fear and knows how to deal with it. This sounds like a very good thing for you. I hope he helps you out, good luck.
Well to everyones that has helped me. I appreciate so much the nice and thoughtfulness of this board, it has helped me so much, however I surfed around yesterday and I have found a guy about 25 minutes from where I live and I e-mailed him. He is 62 years old and has been teaching swimming for 28 years. And I have got a PRIVATE LESSON tommorrow morning at 10am-noon time, I am very excited.
On the other hand I am very nervous as well. He says he has a indoor pool, and he keeps it heated at 85 degrees, so I hope that will be warm enough for me to swim in. He said that I will be able to breath under water when I leave there. He seemed so confident. I told him about my fear of the water, and he just lauged and said "Derek I have heard that all of my life, I see people like you ever day" I just thought that was a little intimdating thats all. I hope to be able to over come this, and he guranteed me that if I was to come for another 2 more private lessons, He guranteed me that I would be able to swim the full length of his pool, which is regulation size pool. He said if not then I will refund your $$$
P.S. how can he be so confident, thanks again for everything, and I hope to update soon.
-Viper
I think it is so amazing that you are taking these steps to learning how to swim. Most adults, if they are scared and can not do something, they avoid it at all cost. It looks like you are taking all the right steps. Best of luck in your lesson. Just relax and remember one step at a time. (or should I say stroke)
