So, I am learning to swim

[Denninmi]

Last edited Wed Jun 26, 2013, 01:13 PM - Edit history (1)

Three weeks ago today was the first time in 43 years that I have been in a body of water bigger than a bathtub. When I was 5 my ex bil threw me in a lake and I almost drowned.

So. Signed up for swimming lessons, I like it. Just did 5 laps, poorly. Awesome. Posting from the hot tub, nice start to the day

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. Swimming is one of lifes great pleasures. Good on you.

[Chan790]

2. The only problem with swimming is...

it's the only exercise in the world where the worse your form is, the more calories you burn...so the better you get at it, the less effective it becomes as an aerobic workout.

[Demoiselle]

3. Don't worry about laps. Just perfect your long distance floating....

[Xyzse]

4. Wish I had time to do that.

I need to learn how to swim.
That's going to be one of my goals.

So, sounds great! I like hearing people keeping active.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

5. I really need to find adult swimming classes in my area.

42 years old and I'm screwed if the boat sinks. And if all the lifeboats are full. And if I don't have a lifejacket.

But I'd still like to know how to swim.

[Denninmi]

8. One thing about it, so funny

I am taking one on one lessons. The only time slot I could do that they offered is the same time as they have group lessons for 4-6 year olds. So, there are about a dozen small fry staring over at the weird old dude, plus all of the moms. Pretty funny.

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. I am fortunate - parents paid for swimming lessons in my teens.

.
.
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Also, before the lessons, my father took us places to swim where our feet could always touch bottom.

We all became great swimmers, no fear of the water at all.

Even had lessons in overturning a canoe in the middle of a lake, uprighting it - even full of water it is possible to paddle it back to shore - even if you lose the paddles - you just use your hands to propel and direct the canoe.

There is a small creek, about 30 feet across within 2 miles of my new home. - I expect I'll be spending a bit of time there, both fishing and swimming.

Swim, catch some dinner, swim again - then come home.

Carry on with that swimming thing!

You'll love it.



CC

[SwissTony]

7. My FIL did that to my wife when she was a kid.

Even now (some 50 years later) she's too scared to put her head underwater.

Arsehole. (Him, not you)

I absolutely salute you. I have an inkling as to how difficult it must have been. (Only an inkling, because I've been swimming/snorkeling/diving since Noah sailed past in the Ark). But I know how hard (actually terrifying) it is for my wife.

And "Just did 5 laps"???? Are you kidding me? That is a FANTASTIC performance for a first attempt. Give yourself an enormous pat on the back. Or an extra session in the hot tub. Or both.

Keep up the good (nah, make that great!) work.

[marzipanni]

9. The best thing is to learn how to relax on your back

If you stay calm, breathe slowly, and just stick your face up out of the water, you'll float (unless perhaps you have no body fat at all) After you realize how you don't have to vigorously tread water to stay afloat, you don't feel like you're fighting the water.

My dad loved to swim, but especially in the ocean where there's more buoyancy. He would float on his back to rest, and at one family gathering on the shore of Rhode Island some little kid relatives were rowing a dory, and saw my dad.
When my dad swam back to shore he was laughing and told us he heard one of the kids yell, "LOOK! An old man buoy!"