My one-to-one clients include adults who are interested in learning to swim. Their abilities range from being terrified of the water to being able to swim head up Breastroke. It is still possible to learn to swim, but I am always asked the same question. I can answer that question with a simple yes! This series will focus on how to get started in swimming. We will be looking at the three strokes of Front Crawl (Backstroke) and Breastroke. Remember that learning how to swim is similar to building a house. It would be best if you had strong foundations on which to build your strokes. There are no shortcuts. You will have problems later if you move too fast! Let us start at the beginning of your journey.
PREPARATION FOR THE POOL
- Preparation is critical to success in any endeavor. You can only be prepared for something if you know what it is. Success is guaranteed if you’re prepared and go at the pace that you feel comfortable with. Let’s look at the essentials you’ll need to learn how to swim in the beginning stages.Swimwear – You don’t need to buy the most recent speed suit. The type of swimwear you choose will determine how comfortable you are in it. Swimmers should wear swimwear that is appropriate for the environment and light weight. Simply Swim has a wide selection of swimwear for both men and women. The jammers on offer for men are my favorite.
- Kickboard – You will need to focus your learning on a specific part of each stroke. You can focus only on your kick with a Kick board.
- Pull Buoy – Allows you to concentrate on your pull.
- Goggles can help you feel more confident and see where you are going. Even though I advise beginners to use goggles, I still recommend them.
- Fluids – You should always bring water to all sessions, regardless of your level. Even though you’re in it, you will still need to replace the water. Get a sports bottle you can fill at home to save money on bottled beverages.
- As you progress in your swimming journey, your kit list will change. However, the following will suffice for now. Now that we have all the necessary equipment, we can now get in the pool. There is no need to rush to get in the pool. You can prepare yourself for the swim by doing these things:Holding your breath – Although it may seem silly to do this, you’ll be amazed at how easy it can be to forget once you are in a water environment. This can be done at home by holding your mouth open to the water. Next, you can try it in a sink or bath with your face submerged. Try to relax as much as possible while doing this. You should always have someone to watch you when you do this.
- Get used to water being sprayed from overhead. This is an easy activity that can prove very beneficial for many. Begin by showering water on your head, allowing it to run down your back. You can then shower water onto your front while remaining relaxed if you feel confident.
- Visualization – Fear of the water is the biggest obstacle for most beginner swimmers. List all your fears when you are in the water environment. Talk about them. Then, visualize yourself in the water relaxed.
You are now feeling prepared. It’s time to get in the pool!SWIM ENTRY
- There are many ways to get into the pool. It is important to be aware of all options.Steps – There are steps that lead to the shallow end of some pools.
- Ladders – All pools have a set ladders that allow for easy entry and exit.
- Sit and swivel in – Place your hands on either your right or left side of the pool (whichever feels most comfortable), then turn your body so that you face the wall.
- Jump Entry – This is not recommended for beginners. It must be done in deep waters.
Take your time when submitting your entry. Make sure to stay in your depth.BUILDING CONFIDENCE
- We have overcome a significant hurdle and are now ready to jump in the water. Take a deep breath, smile and enjoy the moment. We now want to discover this new environment, relax in it, and reap the many benefits. Let’s start by submerging our shoulders. Now, lower your body into the water and bend your knees. Allow the water to reach your shoulders. Feel the water moving around your arms and feel it pulling and pushing. This might be all you do your first time. That is perfectly normal. We are trying to establish good foundations so go at your own pace. After you feel comfortable doing this, you can try the following: first, place your face in the water for 5 seconds and then increase the time to 10 seconds. You can use it as a challenge to see how many times you can beat your score each time. You should remain calm and relaxed. At this point, you might also want to try blowing in the water. You can do this either through your nose or through your mouth. But the important thing is to slow down and control it. Do not force air out of the lungs. Let it flow slowly and steadily. When you take a deep breath, keep it short and easy. . In this section, we won’t attempt to lift the feet off the floor.You should find a place where you can grab the side or step.
- Begin to hold the edge of the step or pool and start to bounce, stretching your legs behind your body as if you were lying on the front.
- Your body doesn’t want you to sink, so let the water do all the work.
- Relax as much as you can – it’s easier to be relaxed than stressed.
- Once you are ready, put your face in the water. Then let your legs rise to the surface while keeping your hands on the side. Keep track of how long you can float in the water and attempt to beat it every time.
- Remember to take it at your own pace, and be patient. Do not feel depressed. Take a break and regroup before you try again.
CONGRATULATIONS!! Congratulations! This is the first step towards becoming a confident swimmer. Continue to repeat the steps until you feel completely secure. Keep calm and relaxed, and go at your own pace. You can do this with a friend, or better yet, find a local swimming school that offers small-group lessons for adults. The next part of the series will focus on how to improve what we’ve learned today so that we can move freely through the water without touching our feet. Poolside, see you!
