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ť Did anyone learn swimming as an adult?

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Did anyone learn swimming as an adult?

P: 11/2/2008 11:04:21 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	I've had lessons for about 3-4 months now and love it. I'd appreciate any tips. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/2/2008 11:04:21 PM

There are 44 replies to this message. There are 30 replies on this page.

P: 11/3/2008 3:34:49 AM
katebar Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,491 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 1/20/2006	Well I sort of did. I learnt how to lap swim as a 35 year old. Just set yourself small goals along the way. Today I am going to do 10 metres freestyle breathing etc. Do the drills do the drills. Join a squad of similar learners for inspiration and motivation! Like your teacher! Oh and the chlorine nose stream does eventually stop. HTH Kate
Posted: 11/3/2008 3:34:49 AM

P: 11/3/2008 9:35:18 AM
Julianna Ideal Rock Total Posts: 504 Last Post: 10/29/2009 Member Since: 3/19/2007	I can't swim. So I guess I'll be learning as an adult...sometime... My younger sister learned a few years ago, she was probably about 25. She ended up doing a 1/4 Iron Man, so I guess she can swim pretty well now! Her secret was a great instructor (read: hot) and a fabulous swimsuit (read: expensive). Hee hee. Best of luck in your swimming endeavors!
Posted: 11/3/2008 9:35:18 AM

P: 11/3/2008 10:41:18 AM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 3:34:49 AM Author: katebar Well I sort of did. I learnt how to lap swim as a 35 year old. Just set yourself small goals along the way. Today I am going to do 10 metres freestyle breathing etc. Do the drills do the drills. Join a squad of similar learners for inspiration and motivation! Like your teacher! Oh and the chlorine nose stream does eventually stop. HTH Kate Thanks, katebar. What chlorine nose stream? "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 10:41:18 AM

P: 11/3/2008 10:43:35 AM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 9:35:18 AM Author: Julianna I can't swim. So I guess I'll be learning as an adult...sometime... My younger sister learned a few years ago, she was probably about 25. She ended up doing a 1/4 Iron Man, so I guess she can swim pretty well now! Her secret was a great instructor (read: hot) and a fabulous swimsuit (read: expensive). Hee hee. Best of luck in your swimming endeavors! Sometime? No plans? The backstroke is wonderfully relaxing. Kudos to your sis! "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 10:43:35 AM

P: 11/3/2008 2:39:17 PM
lliang_chi Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,236 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/13/2008	I tried teaching some of my friends how to swim. It was a slow process. I don't know how comfortable they are with being in the water now, but at least they're not at risk of drowning anymore. The key was for them to be comfortable in the water. Good for you to learn to swim Harriet! :) What kind of swimming tips do you want? What are your goals? I used to swim and play water polo so I could possibly give you a few pointers.
Posted: 11/3/2008 2:39:17 PM

P: 11/3/2008 3:20:35 PM
Julianna Ideal Rock Total Posts: 504 Last Post: 10/29/2009 Member Since: 3/19/2007	Date: 11/3/2008 10:43:35 AM Author: Harriet Date: 11/3/2008 9:35:18 AM Author: Julianna I can't swim. So I guess I'll be learning as an adult...sometime... My younger sister learned a few years ago, she was probably about 25. She ended up doing a 1/4 Iron Man, so I guess she can swim pretty well now! Her secret was a great instructor (read: hot) and a fabulous swimsuit (read: expensive). Hee hee. Best of luck in your swimming endeavors! Sometime? No plans? The backstroke is wonderfully relaxing. Kudos to your sis! Sometime. No plans right now, but I feel pretty goofy telling people I can't swim when the follow-up question inevitably is "well why don't you learn?". I can float on my back (no drowning here! i hope!) but haven't tried the backstroke. It does sound relaxing, indeed.
Posted: 11/3/2008 3:20:35 PM

P: 11/3/2008 4:03:03 PM
Patiently_Waiting Ideal Rock Total Posts: 683 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 11/6/2007	Date: 11/2/2008 11:04:21 PM Author:Harriet I've had lessons for about 3-4 months now and love it. I'd appreciate any tips. I too took lessons as an adult a few years back and wanted to say kudos to you for doing it! As for tips, what types of tips are you looking for?
Posted: 11/3/2008 4:03:03 PM

P: 11/3/2008 4:04:50 PM
Patiently_Waiting Ideal Rock Total Posts: 683 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 11/6/2007	Date: 11/3/2008 3:20:35 PM Author: Julianna Date: 11/3/2008 10:43:35 AM Author: Harriet Date: 11/3/2008 9:35:18 AM Author: Julianna I can't swim. So I guess I'll be learning as an adult...sometime... My younger sister learned a few years ago, she was probably about 25. She ended up doing a 1/4 Iron Man, so I guess she can swim pretty well now! Her secret was a great instructor (read: hot) and a fabulous swimsuit (read: expensive). Hee hee. Best of luck in your swimming endeavors! Sometime? No plans? The backstroke is wonderfully relaxing. Kudos to your sis! Sometime. No plans right now, but I feel pretty goofy telling people I can't swim when the follow-up question inevitably is 'well why don't you learn?'. I can float on my back (no drowning here! i hope!) but haven't tried the backstroke. It does sound relaxing, indeed. Don't feel too bad about not knowing how to swim - yet. If you're anything like me, you'll learn to swim when YOU are ready. It took me a long time to work up the courage and I finally took lessons as an adult (when I was in my early 30s) but I couldn't see myself learning any earlier than I did - I just wasn't ready.
Posted: 11/3/2008 4:04:50 PM

P: 11/3/2008 7:31:48 PM
Dancing Fire Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,227 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/3/2004	Date: 11/2/2008 11:04:21 PM Author:Harriet I've had lessons for about 3-4 months now and love it. I'd appreciate any tips. don't panic ! it is always harder to find a "mind clean" stone than a eye clean stone.
Posted: 11/3/2008 7:31:48 PM

P: 11/3/2008 8:40:10 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 2:39:17 PM Author: lliang_chi I tried teaching some of my friends how to swim. It was a slow process. I don't know how comfortable they are with being in the water now, but at least they're not at risk of drowning anymore. The key was for them to be comfortable in the water. Good for you to learn to swim Harriet! :) What kind of swimming tips do you want? What are your goals? I used to swim and play water polo so I could possibly give you a few pointers. Thanks! This question may be impossible to answer, but how quickly should I expect to progress? I'm on to the breaststroke kick now. Also, how do I become comfortable in water where I cannot jump up? I'm okay in the 7 foot end, but my trainer wants to switch me to a water polo pool! I'd just like to be able to learn sailing next summer, but my instructor wants me to do a 10k ocean race then. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 8:40:10 PM

P: 11/3/2008 8:42:15 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 3:20:35 PM Author: Julianna Sometime. No plans right now, but I feel pretty goofy telling people I can't swim when the follow-up question inevitably is 'well why don't you learn?'. I can float on my back (no drowning here! i hope!) but haven't tried the backstroke. It does sound relaxing, indeed. I used to get the stupid question: "You live on an island. You need to learn how to swim. What if something happens?" "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 8:42:15 PM

P: 11/3/2008 8:44:03 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 4:03:03 PM Author: Patiently_Waiting I too took lessons as an adult a few years back and wanted to say kudos to you for doing it! As for tips, what types of tips are you looking for? Kudos to you too! What was your progress like, if you don't mind my asking? I've heard that it's more difficult for adults. Was there anything you did differently? "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 8:44:03 PM

P: 11/3/2008 8:45:36 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 7:31:48 PM Author: Dancing Fire don't panic ! Good idea! I'm perfectly comfortable in my pool, but I don't know what to expect when my instructor makes me change pools. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 8:45:36 PM

P: 11/3/2008 10:16:46 PM
neatfreak Ideal Rock Total Posts: 13,476 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2007	My cousin learned as an adult. He loves it now! The hardest part is getting over the fear. Once you realize you can do it you will be FINE!
Posted: 11/3/2008 10:16:46 PM

P: 11/3/2008 10:24:21 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Thanks for the encouragement. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/3/2008 10:24:21 PM

P: 11/4/2008 9:51:27 AM
lliang_chi Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,236 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/13/2008	It sounds like you've made pretty good progress so far. I'm assuming you've done the freestyle/crawl stroke and are moving onto the other strokes. Learning breaststroke kick is great because that's what you do when you tread water, so it's a good one to learn. The main thing for you, especially if you're going to be on a boat is to just get comfortable in the water and know your abilities. (example: if you fall off a boat, don't think you can swim 2 miles to shore. That's crazy!) It's good to know the different strokes so you can recover or tread or just change things up to keep it interesting. Sounds like you're worried about moving to the deep pool (water polo pools usually START in 7ft of water). But you're already comfortable in deep water; you're ok in 7 ft end of your current pool. There's no difference if you're in something that's deeper-- you still can't touch the bottom in the 7 ft end. Because you don't need to touch the bottom. All you need to do is make it to the wall. It's the same deal if you're out in the ocean or something. "I'm in the ocean, I can't touch the bottom. Can I make it to the boat? Can I make it to that sand shoal? Can I tread water here until the boat comes back around to pick me up?" Your trainer wants you to do a 10K? Are you sure it's a 10K? A 10K is a VERY far distance, that can't possibly be right! Maybe it's a 1K open water swim? Or some kind of relay event? Anyway, if you're going to be sailing I would suggest you do some open water swimming. It is different than swimming in a pool. There exists open water swim clinics. They usually do them for triathlon training. Something like that might be good for you.
Posted: 11/4/2008 9:51:27 AM

P: 11/4/2008 10:01:02 AM
Patiently_Waiting Ideal Rock Total Posts: 683 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 11/6/2007	Date: 11/3/2008 8:44:03 PM Author: Harriet Date: 11/3/2008 4:03:03 PM Author: Patiently_Waiting I too took lessons as an adult a few years back and wanted to say kudos to you for doing it! As for tips, what types of tips are you looking for? Kudos to you too! What was your progress like, if you don't mind my asking? I've heard that it's more difficult for adults. Was there anything you did differently? Well, like many have said on this thread, the most difficult part for me was getting over the fear of deep water. If I couldn't stand in it, I was petrified! My progress was a bit slow, learning the techniques in shallow water, gaining the confidence to know I could swim, then overcoming the deep water feer. It sounds like you're a bit more advanced than I am though (great job!). I can only do the freestyle and backstroke right now but plan to go back for more lessons in the not so distant future to learn more strokes and continue to feel comfortable in the deep end. Good luck training for your ocean race!
Posted: 11/4/2008 10:01:02 AM

P: 11/4/2008 4:38:48 PM
Amanda.Rx Ideal Rock Total Posts: 626 Last Post: 11/15/2009 Member Since: 6/20/2008	I swam on my college team, and now I've joined a master's team (swim team for retired swimmers or beginning swimmers). You should check with the local pools and see if there is a masters team available in your area. This helps me a lot because I can swim with other people, which I really enjoy! Great job on picking it up! It's wonderful exercise, and much easier on your joints! --------------* Whatever you are, be a good one. - Abraham Lincoln
Posted: 11/4/2008 4:38:48 PM

P: 11/4/2008 11:02:15 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/4/2008 9:51:27 AM Author: lliang_chi It sounds like you've made pretty good progress so far. I'm assuming you've done the freestyle/crawl stroke and are moving onto the other strokes. Learning breaststroke kick is great because that's what you do when you tread water, so it's a good one to learn. The main thing for you, especially if you're going to be on a boat is to just get comfortable in the water and know your abilities. (example: if you fall off a boat, don't think you can swim 2 miles to shore. That's crazy!) It's good to know the different strokes so you can recover or tread or just change things up to keep it interesting. Sounds like you're worried about moving to the deep pool (water polo pools usually START in 7ft of water). But you're already comfortable in deep water; you're ok in 7 ft end of your current pool. There's no difference if you're in something that's deeper-- you still can't touch the bottom in the 7 ft end. Because you don't need to touch the bottom. All you need to do is make it to the wall. It's the same deal if you're out in the ocean or something. 'I'm in the ocean, I can't touch the bottom. Can I make it to the boat? Can I make it to that sand shoal? Can I tread water here until the boat comes back around to pick me up?' Your trainer wants you to do a 10K? Are you sure it's a 10K? A 10K is a VERY far distance, that can't possibly be right! Maybe it's a 1K open water swim? Or some kind of relay event? Anyway, if you're going to be sailing I would suggest you do some open water swimming. It is different than swimming in a pool. There exists open water swim clinics. They usually do them for triathlon training. Something like that might be good for you. Thanks! I've done the crawl and backstroke (I still need to improve my form, though). I need to learn to tread. I'm not sure if you read, but I almost drowned in August (I was in 8 ft for 3-4 minutes). Oops. I got the 10k wrong. It's 1.7 miles. Big difference. I agree with you on open water training. My trainer will work with me on that in the summer. Is open water swimming any easier because of the salt? "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/4/2008 11:02:15 PM

P: 11/4/2008 11:07:12 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/4/2008 10:01:02 AM Author: Patiently_Waiting Well, like many have said on this thread, the most difficult part for me was getting over the fear of deep water. If I couldn't stand in it, I was petrified! My progress was a bit slow, learning the techniques in shallow water, gaining the confidence to know I could swim, then overcoming the deep water feer. It sounds like you're a bit more advanced than I am though (great job!). I can only do the freestyle and backstroke right now but plan to go back for more lessons in the not so distant future to learn more strokes and continue to feel comfortable in the deep end. Good luck training for your ocean race! Me too! My trainer can swim that race himself. I might take a few strokes and wave to the Coast Guard to pick me up. Good luck on your end! "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/4/2008 11:07:12 PM

P: 11/4/2008 11:09:48 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Date: 11/4/2008 4:38:48 PM Author: Amanda.Rx I swam on my college team, and now I've joined a master's team (swim team for retired swimmers or beginning swimmers). You should check with the local pools and see if there is a masters team available in your area. This helps me a lot because I can swim with other people, which I really enjoy! Great job on picking it up! It's wonderful exercise, and much easier on your joints! Thanks! A masters' team is a great idea. There is one here. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/4/2008 11:09:48 PM

P: 11/5/2008 10:43:35 AM
lliang_chi Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,236 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/13/2008	Open water swimming is any swimming that's not in pool. So lakes, rivers and the ocean. Yes it's easier to swim in the ocean because the salt makes you more buoyant, but there's also waves, so that adds another dimension on it. Mostly in terms of spotting where you are. My fiance used to swim but he can't spot for anything. I gave him a little pointer about how to do heads up freestyle stroke to spot, don't think he's done it yet though. He still swims faster than me because I've been too lazy to get in the pool. Our first tri I was only a few seconds behind him. This one the past summer I was like almost 30 secs!
Posted: 11/5/2008 10:43:35 AM

P: 11/5/2008 12:04:28 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Do I sense a competitive streak? What should one try to spot in open water? Waves and jelly fish? "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/5/2008 12:04:28 PM

P: 11/5/2008 12:57:44 PM
lliang_chi Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,236 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 3/13/2008	You spot landmarks to make sure you're going the right way. Like in the pool you have those big black T's to tell you you're swimming straight. In open water you don't have that, so you use big tree or a tower or something.
Posted: 11/5/2008 12:57:44 PM

P: 11/5/2008 11:13:01 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Ah, thanks. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/5/2008 11:13:01 PM

P: 11/6/2008 4:31:51 PM
oobiecoo Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,977 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 9/10/2007	I took a swimming class around age 20 to learn how to swim correctly. I was terrified of swimming in water that was more than 5 feet deep. After learning the basic strokes in our shallow pool, we moved to the Dive Well and would stay on the wall mostly. After spending some time there, he made us dive off the edge from a kneeling position which wasn't too bad. You could then stand up a little more each time as you felt comfortable. Our last class day, he asked us to dive/jump/whatever off the lowest diving board. I was scared but felt more prepared than before because we had been diving off the edge. So I did it... and my bathing suit came down when I hit the water and I exposed myself! It was a 1 piece, very tight, swim suit so I'm not sure how that happened... So my advice is to not jump into deep water unless your swimsuit is skin tight! Oh, and try diving off the side from the kneeling position first if you aren't already doing that. You don't go very deep when you do it so it helps you to be more comfortable in the really deep water and with diving/jumping in general if you choose to do that. ************************************* "Love is a great beautifier."- Louisa May Alcott
Posted: 11/6/2008 4:31:51 PM

P: 11/6/2008 8:17:50 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	"The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/6/2008 8:17:50 PM

P: 11/7/2008 12:11:34 AM
katebar Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,491 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 1/20/2006	Date: 11/3/2008 10:41:18 AM Author: Harriet Date: 11/3/2008 3:34:49 AM Author: katebar Well I sort of did. I learnt how to lap swim as a 35 year old. Just set yourself small goals along the way. Today I am going to do 10 metres freestyle breathing etc. Do the drills do the drills. Join a squad of similar learners for inspiration and motivation! Like your teacher! Oh and the chlorine nose stream does eventually stop. HTH Kate Thanks, katebar. What chlorine nose stream? Well I found that when i swam frees style my nose would stream for hours after. I was sensitive to Chlorine but it eventually settled. Funny thing Ian Thorpe was allergic too and he used to wear nose plugs
Posted: 11/7/2008 12:11:34 AM

P: 11/7/2008 12:18:27 AM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	Thankfully, I don't have that problem. Ooh, Ian Thorpe. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/7/2008 12:18:27 AM

P: 11/16/2008 10:10:04 PM
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006	I'm starting the butterfly! "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian)
Posted: 11/16/2008 10:10:04 PM

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