New swimmer who is discouraged

RE: New swimmer who is discouraged

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:38:01 GMT

I agree with Erik. I suggested a snorkel to a few adults I taught how to swim, and it made a huge difference! One of the gals only wanted to swim backstroke, because she was frustrated with the breathing in freestyle. Once she started using a snorkel, the frustration disappeared, and she was able to relax and concentrate on the stroke. Eventually, she felt comfortable to swim freestyle without the snorkel and try breathing again. Now, she is a bilateral breather!

Good luck!

RE: New swimmer who is discouraged

02Y31 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:35:54 GMT

Thanks - I was debating suggesting that he get a snorkel. I like the strokes off the wall - thanks for that. It’s a question of breathing for him at the moment, not so much time.

RE: New swimmer who is discouraged

02Y31 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:34:23 GMT

I really couldn’t do anything with him on deck because I had another swimmer in the water. But that’s a good point. Thanks. (He did get there under his own steam)

RE: New swimmer who is discouraged

Erik Hochstein — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:19:26 GMT

You probably have thought of this already - fins and front snorkel ... - didn't grow up with snorkel, but they are very good now for all levels ... backstroke kick is hit and miss - flags and bumping can be hard -- motivational ... time his 6 or 8 strokes off a wall - they don't need breathing -- and it will show times and he may see how he gets faster

RE: New swimmer who is discouraged

ForceDJ — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:30:55 GMT

It’s a little curious that he went through all the steps to get there, but then conveniently “forgot” his gym bag. Did he get there on his own volition, or did someone make him go? If he went without being forced…even though he didn’t have his gym bag…that kind of tells me that he still has some interest in swimming. In other words, as he’s loosing determination, maybe he wanted to see how committed you are to him learning to swim — would you still try to ‘teach’ him even though he wasn’t in the water. Even though he had forgotten his gym bag, did you still try to salvage ‘something toward his learning to swim’?

Dan