[The Conversation]

Are You One Of The Many Australians Who Never Learned To Swim? Here’s How To Get Started​

As a kid growing up in one of the hottest parts of Australia, I was always in the water – pond, pool or creek. It was the only way to get cool. I was lucky enough to pick up swimming as I went along – but plenty don’t. As a coach and teacher of swimming for over 30 years I regularly meet adults who can’t swim.

Swimming is one of the most popular physical activities undertaken by Australians, but a large number of Australians are poor swimmers or cannot swim at all. Recent research for Royal Life Saving Australia found one in four adults are either weak swimmers or can’t swim.

If you’re an adult non-swimmer, you’re not alone. Many new Australians and Australians from non-swimming families don’t have a connection with the water. Some had a fright when learning to swim and avoid the water out of fear, some just never got the opportunity to learn as many Aussie school kids do today.

The good news is people of any age can learn to swim. With patience, perseverance and some expert help, it can be fun too. Just as when kids learn to swim, adults must first get familiar with the different sensations in and underwater.

Most learn to swim schools will run classes for adults. Shutterstock​

Start small​

It is natural to feel anxious with your face in the water; after all, life is no fun without air. But with practice, the fear will diminish and having your face in the water will feel more natural.

Start with something simple like putting your face in the full flow of the shower. With your eyes open, put your face in the water stream and gently blow air out your nose while your mouth stays shut. Don’t forget to pop your face out for your next breath in (using the mouth).

Once you have developed confidence with fast-flowing water around your mouth and nose, you might try experimenting with how you can balance your body in the water.

Try a shallow pool at your local aquatic centre with a rail along the edge. Holding on to the rail, let your body relax into and be supported by the water.

For most people, the big parts of our body will want to float and our legs will probably sink. Finding your “balance” in the water and relaxing while you put your face under is a big hurdle for many non-swimmers. But try to take your time, have fun, and blow bubbles with your nose while your face is under. That keeps the water out of your nose.

Once you’re confident with your face in the water and want to get better at moving forward, it’s time for the next step. Use a floating aid like a pool noodle to help you balance, and experiment with using your arms and legs to push and pull your body through the water. Flippers can help with propulsion if you feel confident with them.

Flippers can help with propulsion if you feel confident with them. Shutterstock​

Getting expert help and setting a goal​

At this stage it is a great idea to get some expert help. Most learn to swim schools will run classes for adults.

These classes will accelerate your learning so your strokes develop effectively. A few classes will get you started and then it will just be a matter of practice. The more you practice, the better you will get.

Having a goal is a good idea. You might start by trying to get to 10 good strokes in freestyle. Then 20, then 30 and so on.

Next, try to do one lap of the pool. It’s okay if you don’t make it at first, or if your technique isn’t perfect. Once you’ve made it to one lap, try again and see if you can make your technique a little better.

When you feel ready, you might try for multiple laps. See if you can set a goal to go swimming once a week – even better if you can team up with a friend and go together.

Being a swimmer provides huge physical fitness benefits and reduces your drowning risk – but it’s also just a lot of fun.

Don’t spend another summer sitting high and dry on the poolside while others have all the fun in the water. Make 2022 the year you learn to swim!

Don’t let others have all the fun at the pool this summer. Shutterstock​

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Chris Zehntner, Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, Southern Cross University

 

[janj]

I only learned 10 years ago ,and got my learners certificate in July, and swam with my husband for the first time on a holiday I was 60. Had a great coach.

 

[Marj53]

I learnt to the dog paddle when I was at school. That was it. Because my dad didn't drive we never went to the beach so I was never confident in the water. Have thought about trying to learn again..

 

[phantomrose101]

Are You One Of The Many Australians Who Never Learned To Swim? Here’s How To Get Started​

As a kid growing up in one of the hottest parts of Australia, I was always in the water – pond, pool or creek. It was the only way to get cool. I was lucky enough to pick up swimming as I went along – but plenty don’t. As a coach and teacher of swimming for over 30 years I regularly meet adults who can’t swim.

Swimming is one of the most popular physical activities undertaken by Australians, but a large number of Australians are poor swimmers or cannot swim at all. Recent research for Royal Life Saving Australia found one in four adults are either weak swimmers or can’t swim.

If you’re an adult non-swimmer, you’re not alone. Many new Australians and Australians from non-swimming families don’t have a connection with the water. Some had a fright when learning to swim and avoid the water out of fear, some just never got the opportunity to learn as many Aussie school kids do today.

The good news is people of any age can learn to swim. With patience, perseverance and some expert help, it can be fun too. Just as when kids learn to swim, adults must first get familiar with the different sensations in and underwater.

View attachment 6542
Most learn to swim schools will run classes for adults. Shutterstock​

Start small​

It is natural to feel anxious with your face in the water; after all, life is no fun without air. But with practice, the fear will diminish and having your face in the water will feel more natural.

Start with something simple like putting your face in the full flow of the shower. With your eyes open, put your face in the water stream and gently blow air out your nose while your mouth stays shut. Don’t forget to pop your face out for your next breath in (using the mouth).

Once you have developed confidence with fast-flowing water around your mouth and nose, you might try experimenting with how you can balance your body in the water.

Try a shallow pool at your local aquatic centre with a rail along the edge. Holding on to the rail, let your body relax into and be supported by the water.

For most people, the big parts of our body will want to float and our legs will probably sink. Finding your “balance” in the water and relaxing while you put your face under is a big hurdle for many non-swimmers. But try to take your time, have fun, and blow bubbles with your nose while your face is under. That keeps the water out of your nose.

Once you’re confident with your face in the water and want to get better at moving forward, it’s time for the next step. Use a floating aid like a pool noodle to help you balance, and experiment with using your arms and legs to push and pull your body through the water. Flippers can help with propulsion if you feel confident with them.

View attachment 6543
Flippers can help with propulsion if you feel confident with them. Shutterstock​

Getting expert help and setting a goal​

At this stage it is a great idea to get some expert help. Most learn to swim schools will run classes for adults.

These classes will accelerate your learning so your strokes develop effectively. A few classes will get you started and then it will just be a matter of practice. The more you practice, the better you will get.

Having a goal is a good idea. You might start by trying to get to 10 good strokes in freestyle. Then 20, then 30 and so on.

Next, try to do one lap of the pool. It’s okay if you don’t make it at first, or if your technique isn’t perfect. Once you’ve made it to one lap, try again and see if you can make your technique a little better.

When you feel ready, you might try for multiple laps. See if you can set a goal to go swimming once a week – even better if you can team up with a friend and go together.

Being a swimmer provides huge physical fitness benefits and reduces your drowning risk – but it’s also just a lot of fun.

Don’t spend another summer sitting high and dry on the poolside while others have all the fun in the water. Make 2022 the year you learn to swim!

View attachment 6544
Don’t let others have all the fun at the pool this summer. Shutterstock​

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Chris Zehntner, Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, Southern Cross University

I was diagnosed with a lung condition, so at 70 years of age decided to improve my swimming ability. I could do a bit of dog paddling, floating. So I checked You Tube and started doing laps. 4 x 25 metres at first. I now swim 30x 25 metres once a week. My lung capacity is back within normal range and no chest infections for quite a while. I am 73 now. Have to push myself when I feel I’d rather watch telly but it’s worth it.

 

[Bullwinkle]

In the early 1980’s I taught Learn to Swim. To see children who were petrified of the water accomplish crossing the pool being able swim on their own was a personal pat on the back…but also very proud of each an everyone of my students
A dad of one of my students (at the completion of Learn to Swim) asked me to teach him to swim, he said “His son was so comfortable with me, and he could see how I really wanted each and everyone to succeed”
I taught the dad as a one on one, over a period of a couple of months…and his family came to watch him swim a length of the pool.
A very proud moment!!

 

[Ma-to-3]

I learnt to the dog paddle when I was at school. That was it. Because my dad didn't drive we never went to the beach so I was never confident in the water. Have thought about trying to learn again..

Oh please give it a go. It’s such a wonderful thing to do and so good for everyone in their “older” age.

 

[Marj53]

Oh please give it a go. It’s such a wonderful thing to do and so good for everyone in their “older” age.

 

[Leeta069]

I used to swim. I was at a Sunday School picnic once when I was about 10 years old (56 years ago) and treading water. this man comes under me and pulls me down by my legs and I took in so much water and struggled to breathe that I went unconcious and an ambulance was called. My stomache was pumped and bruised, stayed in hospital overnight and then went home. Our house didn't have a shower, just a bath and everytime my parents told me to have a bath I was petrified and screamed and refused. Ended up going next door and using their shower every day for weeks until my parents got a shower in. To this day I won't have a bath, it is always a shower. Took me over 20 years to go near a beach, by then I was married with 2 littlies but I would never go any further where the water was past my knees. Fast forward another 10 years and I took the kiddies to local pool with a friend who didnt know of my history and as I was standing next to the edge of the pool she pushed me in. Again I struggled and an ambulance was called and I was taken away. In the last year I have gathered the courage to go to my local swimming centre and use the warm water pool BUT I CANNOT put my head under the water or lift my feet off the bottom of the pool or I have an anxiety attack, which brings on chest pains. All the staff know this and I wear a special coloured wrist tag and they keep an eye on me. If I forget the tag they bring me one and make sure I put it on and they all know where my heart spray is. I love the staff there!

 

[Ma-to-3]

I used to swim. I was at a Sunday School picnic once when I was about 10 years old (56 years ago) and treading water. this man comes under me and pulls me down by my legs and I took in so much water and struggled to breathe that I went unconcious and an ambulance was called. My stomache was pumped and bruised, stayed in hospital overnight and then went home. Our house didn't have a shower, just a bath and everytime my parents told me to have a bath I was petrified and screamed and refused. Ended up going next door and using their shower every day for weeks until my parents got a shower in. To this day I won't have a bath, it is always a shower. Took me over 20 years to go near a beach, by then I was married with 2 littlies but I would never go any further where the water was past my knees. Fast forward another 10 years and I took the kiddies to local pool with a friend who didnt know of my history and as I was standing next to the edge of the pool she pushed me in. Again I struggled and an ambulance was called and I was taken away. In the last year I have gathered the courage to go to my local swimming centre and use the warm water pool BUT I CANNOT put my head under the water or lift my feet off the bottom of the pool or I have an anxiety attack, which brings on chest pains. All the staff know this and I wear a special coloured wrist tag and they keep an eye on me. If I forget the tag they bring me one and make sure I put it on and they all know where my heart spray is. I love the staff there!

Omg that is just a terrible experience but so good on you for going to the pool now, that’s an amazing thing for you to have achieved Please keep going. I love to spend some time while I am at the pool focussing on how soft the water is - try that .

 

[Jennie]

Are You One Of The Many Australians Who Never Learned To Swim? Here’s How To Get Started​

As a kid growing up in one of the hottest parts of Australia, I was always in the water – pond, pool or creek. It was the only way to get cool. I was lucky enough to pick up swimming as I went along – but plenty don’t. As a coach and teacher of swimming for over 30 years I regularly meet adults who can’t swim.

Swimming is one of the most popular physical activities undertaken by Australians, but a large number of Australians are poor swimmers or cannot swim at all. Recent research for Royal Life Saving Australia found one in four adults are either weak swimmers or can’t swim.

If you’re an adult non-swimmer, you’re not alone. Many new Australians and Australians from non-swimming families don’t have a connection with the water. Some had a fright when learning to swim and avoid the water out of fear, some just never got the opportunity to learn as many Aussie school kids do today.

The good news is people of any age can learn to swim. With patience, perseverance and some expert help, it can be fun too. Just as when kids learn to swim, adults must first get familiar with the different sensations in and underwater.

View attachment 6542
Most learn to swim schools will run classes for adults. Shutterstock​

Start small​

It is natural to feel anxious with your face in the water; after all, life is no fun without air. But with practice, the fear will diminish and having your face in the water will feel more natural.

Start with something simple like putting your face in the full flow of the shower. With your eyes open, put your face in the water stream and gently blow air out your nose while your mouth stays shut. Don’t forget to pop your face out for your next breath in (using the mouth).

Once you have developed confidence with fast-flowing water around your mouth and nose, you might try experimenting with how you can balance your body in the water.

Try a shallow pool at your local aquatic centre with a rail along the edge. Holding on to the rail, let your body relax into and be supported by the water.

For most people, the big parts of our body will want to float and our legs will probably sink. Finding your “balance” in the water and relaxing while you put your face under is a big hurdle for many non-swimmers. But try to take your time, have fun, and blow bubbles with your nose while your face is under. That keeps the water out of your nose.

Once you’re confident with your face in the water and want to get better at moving forward, it’s time for the next step. Use a floating aid like a pool noodle to help you balance, and experiment with using your arms and legs to push and pull your body through the water. Flippers can help with propulsion if you feel confident with them.

View attachment 6543
Flippers can help with propulsion if you feel confident with them. Shutterstock​

Getting expert help and setting a goal​

At this stage it is a great idea to get some expert help. Most learn to swim schools will run classes for adults.

These classes will accelerate your learning so your strokes develop effectively. A few classes will get you started and then it will just be a matter of practice. The more you practice, the better you will get.

Having a goal is a good idea. You might start by trying to get to 10 good strokes in freestyle. Then 20, then 30 and so on.

Next, try to do one lap of the pool. It’s okay if you don’t make it at first, or if your technique isn’t perfect. Once you’ve made it to one lap, try again and see if you can make your technique a little better.

When you feel ready, you might try for multiple laps. See if you can set a goal to go swimming once a week – even better if you can team up with a friend and go together.

Being a swimmer provides huge physical fitness benefits and reduces your drowning risk – but it’s also just a lot of fun.

Don’t spend another summer sitting high and dry on the poolside while others have all the fun in the water. Make 2022 the year you learn to swim!

View attachment 6544
Don’t let others have all the fun at the pool this summer. Shutterstock​

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Chris Zehntner, Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, Southern Cross University

I had swimming lessons as a child, then private one on one lessons that cost the earth, then every summer tried again. No one has been able to teach me, I just sink like a stone. I can float forever and am not afraid of water, I enjoy the beach but just cannot coordinate arms and legs. I would love to able to swim.