https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/7171/beginner-q-s---distance-and-relaxingQuick intro - I just turned 40 and decided to finally learn how to swim. I took lessons when I was 10 but never got comfortable (being the slowest learner in class didn&#39;t help!). I got frustrated and have spent little time near the water since then. Ien-USTelligent Community 12https://community.usms.org/thread/107329?ContentTypeID=1Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:50:11 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:e8fff256-85d7-46cc-96df-28f49f1d0c0enorascatsWhen I teach, I have the students start with bobs. Up and down slowly in the shallow end. This helps to calm people down and get them used to aquatic breathing. after bobbing, we do gliding. Then we go to kicking, and so on, slowly. Windmilling arms and thrashing legs while trying to figure out when to breathe is tiring. This is what many beginners do. I suggest: Slow everything down. Swim shorter distances. start at the halfway mark and swim to the shallow end. Break your stroke down.<div style="clear:both;"></div>