Swimming

[katchika]

Help I can't swim!
Well I can, and at school I was in one of the highest groups but since then I have rarely swam and on holiday I realised what a weak swimmer I am.

I was thinking of going to lessons but worried that I would feel stupid at 19...

Do you think I could teach myself? I have asthma and can never get the breathing right and always end up breathing in loads of water!

[Alistair]

I would go swimming with a strong swimmer to help/give tips and see if that goes well. If not, I would take lessons. There are probably adult swimming lessons at your local pool, as not being able to swim is actually not that rare.

[Alessandro]

Find someone who used to be a competitive swimmer in high school (or whatever you call it in the UK) or university. They'll be able to teach the right way to swim. If you can't find a friend, posting a notice in a gym might work as well.

The breathing is tough to coordinate with the stroke. It took me a while to get it down. This is where an good swimmer can help you the most. The key to it is just to turn your head, not your upper body. After taking the breath, almost as soon as you put your face back in the water, begin to exhale (through your nose). That way you'll have emptied your lungs by the time you need to breathe again. Also, start by learning to breathe to only one side, usually the the side that is your dominant one. ie. I'm left-handed, so I breathe to my left.

Don't worry about feeling stupid because you never learned. My friend Mazi is a fantastic athlete but couldn't swim to save his life because he never learned how to.

Try it out. If you have any questions post them. I swam for years, so I might be able to help you out.

[emmex]

Originally posted by Thefairmelissa:
<STRONG>Yes, do learn and take proper lessons with plenty of instructors around. You'll soon have great fun and it's quite a good sport for asthma sufferers as it's humid and helps you to learn breath control when you do it properly.</STRONG>

I love swimming. Used to work as Pool Lifeguard so got in free <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> Alas no more, and i really should swim more. Very good for you, and works all the major muscle groups.

If you are looking to improve your swimming, ask the lifeguards at your local pool for tips as they should be able to help you. If not, it helps to swim with a friend who is a confident swimmer as you will learn their good habits!

Hope that helps

<img src="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/mica/MiscDogrun.gif" alt="image">

[Speedo]

I thought this would be the obvious place for my first post so here goes. . . . .

Most local swimming pools will run adult learn to swim courses that cater for a wide range of ages. In fact at 19, you'll probably bo one of the younger ones there.

There's even the added bonus that they usually take place at times convenient to people who are not in school.

For more info check out www.britishswimming.org (http://www.britishswimming.org)

[katchika]

Thanks for all the advice, I am gonna look at enrolling on a course. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
Hi speedo!

[go_away]

good for you kt <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

[Alessandro]

tell us how it works out for you

have fun!