So I just started learning to swim. 23 years old. =)
Former Member
I didn't like the water when I was little and I've been ignoring the problem ever since.
Well, I went to Florida with my girlfriend a few weeks ago and she's quite a good swimmer -- effortless strokes. That did it. Time to learn, I told myself.
I ran into this forum searching the net, and I thought you folks wouldn't mind if I shared my experiences here. Maybe you can give me a pointer or two.
So I bought 10 hours of private lessons to start. My instructor is quite friendly and helpful.
I've had two hours of lessons so far. We've covered kicks, floats and breathing for now... no strokes yet.
On my back, without any assistance, I can swim a length of the pool just with my kicks, arms relaxed.
On my front I have no problem kicking either, but I don't have the breathing quite right -- it's been a bit frustrating.
(Swimming is hard! Can 99% of the planet really do this?)
I have several problems with the breathing:
1. I know I have to empty my lungs under water, but I blow bubbles, and more bubbles, and more bubbles... still more bubbles... and I find it hard to exhale completely. The water resists me.
2. When I turn up for air, due to the above problem, I usually haven't finished exhaling... so I finish exhaling out of the water (this would go
away if I could solve problem 1.) and then try to inhale. At this point I usually take in a bunch of water and I have to stop to catch my breath and cough up the water.
I think the major problem is actually 1. I have a feeling that if I could just empty my lungs fast enough while under water, I would probably be able to catch a very quick breath when I turn my head to breath.
Other than that, I'm also having minor problems with the front and back float. On the front float, my legs always sink. On the back float I do better, but I have trouble getting my midsection to the surface of the water, even with a really good push off the bottom to get me up there. But when my instructor physically pushes my skinny ass up there, then I can float for a bit.
I suppose my progress is pretty good for a complete beginner with a mere two hours in the water in his entire life, but it's also quite frustrating. I wasn't expecting breathing to be a big problem.
Right now I'm doing two lessons per week with my instructor. One half hour on Wed. and one full hour on Thurs. I have the time, willpower, and money to do more lessons per week... do you folks recommend this for someone at my level?
I think that's enough of my blabbing for now. =)
Parents
Former Member
This is probably of little help to you now, but the faster you swim the easier it is to breathe. The faster you go the bigger the wake you will create and when you turn to breathe your head will have actually created a small divet in the water allowing you to take a breath with ease.
Aside from that, all of these things come with lots of practice. Eventually breathing at any pace will be like second nature to you. I often get a bit of water in my mouth as I am finishing my inhale but I just blow it right back out as I exhale. The more you practice the easier these things will become. I think you are doing the right thing by taking lessons and watching elite swimmers in videos. The videos give you something to emulate as you swim.
This is probably of little help to you now, but the faster you swim the easier it is to breathe. The faster you go the bigger the wake you will create and when you turn to breathe your head will have actually created a small divet in the water allowing you to take a breath with ease.
Aside from that, all of these things come with lots of practice. Eventually breathing at any pace will be like second nature to you. I often get a bit of water in my mouth as I am finishing my inhale but I just blow it right back out as I exhale. The more you practice the easier these things will become. I think you are doing the right thing by taking lessons and watching elite swimmers in videos. The videos give you something to emulate as you swim.
