Newbie!

I've just recently learned how to swim! However, I'm struggling with the breathing. lol I never did learn to swim as a kid so I mainly want to learn just for fitness. Guess you might say its on my Bucket List! lol Okay, so my real question, trying to learn freestyle, I can do the kicks, but when I start with the arms, my kicks go every which way and my legs start to sink! Guess its a problem with coordination/rythm? Sort of a can't walk and chew gum at the same time! lol So any suggestions on how I might improve? Or possibly try learning a different stroke? Ah, the fine art of motor skills! Drills, drills, drills, and more drills. I agree with the other posters, find a local program that is reputable and latch on for dear life! Have a great time learning to swim more efficiently, and then go from there!

I've just recently learned how to swim! However, I'm struggling with the breathing. lol I never did learn to swim as a kid so I mainly want to learn just for fitness. Guess you might say its on my Bucket List! lol Okay, so my real question, trying to learn freestyle, I can do the kicks, but when I start with the arms, my kicks go every which way and my legs start to sink! Guess its a problem with coordination/rythm? Sort of a can't walk and chew gum at the same time! lol So any suggestions on how I might improve? Or possibly try learning a different stroke? Hey Joe, You've got a great Masters program in your area, check out Coach Emmett Hines on http://h2oustonswims.org/, read some of his articles on the web page and give him a call.

Best bet, IMHO, would be to find a place that offers Adult Swim Lessons and give them a shot. I've taught them before, many years ago, and it's definitely a good thing to do if you need an intro to the strokes and how-to's. Check your local YMCA to see if they offer them, and if not, someone there would probably know where the best spot is for them. If you don't have a local YMCA, maybe you have a local age-group swim team coach who might be able to offer some insight.

Thanks everyone for your replies! I did take some swim lessons just a few weeks back that how I got started. My difficulty I guess is with coordination! Funny cause I can do the kicks and move my arms through the water (spreading them apart as in the breaststroke?) but when I try the freestyle arm movement my kicks suffer and legs begin to sink! I can however rub my tummy and pat my head at the same time! lol I've been trying the *** stroke the last couple of days, that seems to work better but still need much practice of course. This is all new to me but its great!