I think swimming is consuming my life and I've been doing it for less than 3 weeks
Former Member
At first, I was on vacation and I saw my girlfriend swim a few laps and thought, "Gosh, I should really take some lessons and learn how to do that."
Then it was, "I should really do some online research to complement my lessons."
Then, "I might as well start participating in some of these swimming forums."
Then I needed more time to practice, so I started going to rec swims. I'm now getting a SECOND instructor for a different perspective in addition to my on-my-own rec swim time.
And all the time I'm not in the pool, I'm watching videos, reading forums and articles, learning about top swimmers, going out to buy goggles (tonight), and generally wanting to get back in the water and practice...
All this and I can barely frakken swim a length in anything other than backstroke! Jesus. I'm taking "addictive personality" to new levels here. What on earth did I do with my life before three weeks ago?
And what implications does this have for the rest of my life? The first 23 years on dry-land are looking more and more like a write-off in comparison to the satisfaction I get from being in the water -- when it isn't in my nose, ears, mouth, and eyes, that is.
I spent a lot of time on dry land practicing my dancing and these days, I teach it. Because my dancing is automatic -- I "just do it" without thinking -- I can't really remember what it was like NOT to be able to do it.
In the same sense, I've had a lot of people say to me, "You're just learning to swim now? I can't imagine what it would be like NOT to be able to swim." I think I can relate.
Parents
Former Member
Alphathree congratulates on turning to the sport of swimming.
Nothing works better than getting in the pool and swimming. You can read, watch videos and get on forums which do help, just remember nothing works better that pratice, pratice pratice.
Since you just started here a few pointers I tell all my first timers. Keep you feet in the water while kicking, if your splashing to much your only catching air not water. Keep your kicks under the water.
Are you breathing on your side yet in freestyle or moving you head side to side with your head out of the water? If so try to work on keeping your face in the water and breathing on the side while one hand is out in front catching the water and the other arm is just coming out and over, this when you will want to turn your head to breath so you don't catch water in your mouth. If you move your head side to side out of the water your just making your self tired.
Also, what I do to make sure during pratice I'm getting a good solid stroke is, the hand that enters the water I make sure my thumb grazes my thigh when I pull.
Remember the more splash you make the more air your catching. Catch the water instead. Good luck keep us posted.
Thanks for the breathing tip. I've tried twelve thousand and one methods of breathing with a kickboard and none of them work. I think no matter how I shake it, the kick board will mess me up.
I might try what you say, but gliding with one arm forward, one arm back, and just breathing, then take a single stroke, and try the other side...
The problem is that without the kickboard, I tend to sink too much in the water and when I turn to take a breath, my whole head is in the water.
Alphathree congratulates on turning to the sport of swimming.
Nothing works better than getting in the pool and swimming. You can read, watch videos and get on forums which do help, just remember nothing works better that pratice, pratice pratice.
Since you just started here a few pointers I tell all my first timers. Keep you feet in the water while kicking, if your splashing to much your only catching air not water. Keep your kicks under the water.
Are you breathing on your side yet in freestyle or moving you head side to side with your head out of the water? If so try to work on keeping your face in the water and breathing on the side while one hand is out in front catching the water and the other arm is just coming out and over, this when you will want to turn your head to breath so you don't catch water in your mouth. If you move your head side to side out of the water your just making your self tired.
Also, what I do to make sure during pratice I'm getting a good solid stroke is, the hand that enters the water I make sure my thumb grazes my thigh when I pull.
Remember the more splash you make the more air your catching. Catch the water instead. Good luck keep us posted.
Thanks for the breathing tip. I've tried twelve thousand and one methods of breathing with a kickboard and none of them work. I think no matter how I shake it, the kick board will mess me up.
I might try what you say, but gliding with one arm forward, one arm back, and just breathing, then take a single stroke, and try the other side...
The problem is that without the kickboard, I tend to sink too much in the water and when I turn to take a breath, my whole head is in the water.
