WTH? I cant find a swimming tutorial on google....

Ciber

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2000
2,531
30
91
Yes, i'm trying to learn how to swim at 21.... :p

Anyone have any tips? or can tell me how? Yeah i know i'm hopeless....
 

Skyclad1uhm1

Lifer
Aug 10, 2001
11,383
87
91
Wait till a cute girl walks by the pool and 'accidently' fall in.

You won't learn to swim that way, but at least you may get the kiss of life from her ;)
 

Ciber

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2000
2,531
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91
I want to learn how to swim, not make a fool out of myself.
 

anno

Golden Member
May 1, 2003
1,907
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my daughter (19) is taking swimming in summer school. she was going anyway to take a class she needs but couldn't get into for fall, 1 more hour would put her a semester ahead, so she figured it was time she learned how to swim. it's not the cheapest way to do it but she's well blessed with scholarships, they pay her to go to school the rest of the year.. we can pay for 4 hours. she figured she'd be more comfortable learning with people of similar age and she really wanted that one last hour.. if it hadn't been swimming it would have been something less useful.. like.. fencing!

anno
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
googled:


"When swimming, if you begin to sink, calmly sink to the bottom and walk, DONT RUN, to the nearest exit"


 

JayHu

Senior member
Mar 19, 2001
412
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I say, just get in the pool (bathing suit optional ;)) and walk around in the shallow end for a couple mins, just getting used to the water. Be comfortable with the water, be comfortable with your face in the water. After that, try lifting your feet off the ground and paddling around the shallow end, putting your feet down whenever you're either uncomfortable, or tired.
The learning curve is different for everyone, for myself it was quick(hence why I'm a fish:)), for others it can take a while. Just go at your own pace.

Now as for technique, it's hard to help someone over the internet. Take lessons, I'm sure there is something at a local pool or at university (if you go).
Keep us updated on your progress.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
googled:


"When swimming, if you begin to sink, calmly sink to the bottom and walk, DONT RUN, to the nearest exit"

roflmao
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
I think I learned to swim before I learned to walk or speak. Probably not that early, but I was put in the pool at a *very* young age and I don't think I'd be able to explain it without being in the water with you. I taught my young cousin years back, but I was in the pool with him.

My suggestion is to sign up for group or private lessons at the local YMCA/Aquatic Center/Swim Club/Municipal Pool. It will cost you some scratch, but I would consider it a small price to pay for a valuable life skill which will open for you the door to a vast world of aquatic sports, and may one day save your life if you are ever in trouble while in the water.
 

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
it might be a little hard to take your laptop into the pool so you can follow the directions. Water and computers don't play nice.

 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Growltiger
Why not take a class at the local YMCA?

That's how I learned.. or just go in the shallow end of a pool and fool around til you figure it out... it's a semi-natural motion... i remember once i fell into the deep end of the neighbor's pool when i was really young, and didn't know how to swim... i got myself to the surface in like 3 seconds! i was proud of myself for figuring it out :D
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: m2kewl
don't panic. if you relax in the pool - you'll float ;)

I don't...I've tried a few times. I can swim, but I don't float.
 

Apathetic

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2002
2,587
6
81
Originally posted by: Ciber
I want to learn how to swim, not make a fool out of myself.

But you can do both at the same time! Why limit yourself?

Seriously though, is there a local YMCA? They always have some type of swimming lessons going on.

Dave
 

AmerDoux

Senior member
Dec 4, 2001
644
0
71
There are a few basics you can do before signing up with a class.

First and foremost, you never-ever get into a pool without a second person around.

You need to feel comforatable in the water. Most people are afraid of two things; getting their face/head wet and opening their eyes under the water. Throw some pennies into the shallow end of a pool and then pick them up.

Still in the shallow end, start torpedo-ing yourself under the water by pushing off the walls. See how long you can glide under the water. Make it a contest with your buddy, how far you can go and how long you can hold your breath.

We are still in the shallow end of the water here... you need to learn how to relax and float on your back. You should have your arms extended outward and just let your legs relax. If you feel like your sinking or if you feel you've lost your sense of balance, just stand up. It's okay, because this is tough for a lot of people to do. When you're comfortable, try it again. You can use your buddy to spot you too, like weight lifting, have them right next to you ready to put a hand out for if you loose your sense of balance.

When you feel comforatable in the shallow end, go sign up with a YMCA class. It's your best dollar value and instructors all have to take the same class/exam no matter where they teach.

Remember, you NEVER swim alone and don't fool yourself into using/trusting floatation devices.

One last thing I would recommend: Once you learn to swim, take CPR and First Aide.

Best of Luck! :)


 

Cyberian

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2000
9,999
1
0
Originally posted by: Tyler
I could teach you to swim. In a pool, not over the internet.
Yeah - I think this is like trying to learn how to drive a manual oner the Intarweb.

 

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
I am in the same situation. I have had friend's try to teach me but quite frankly it's kind of embarassing. Also, I guess not everyone is cut out for teaching swimming. After 5 minutes my friend's scratch their heads and say something to the effect of "It's so easy, I can just swim. I don't get why you can't." I also don't want to take a class with 5 year olds. Those young kids can get mean!