Any good swimmers have advice for a beginner?

Question

So i've been thinking about joining a swimming team, I know all the basic strokes yada yada. Today I went to the health club to get some practice in. and after like 20 minutes I felt like i had just died and came back to life again. I couldn't swim for any longer! Is this normal? I go to the pool with friends but I've never really swam just for the sake of swimming before.

When you first started swimming did you feel this way too?

I also need help with my breathing technique. I never feel like I get enough air, Even when I do gulp up a bunch of air I feel like I'm drowning. Also, when I was done swimming, I had the worst migraine ever! I think it was because I was dehydrated but idk.

So any advice?

Answer 1

I am  and have been on a swim team for years.

When I first started I got tired at first and had trouble breathing too.

First advice, do 12-20 regular laps for a warmup go at your own pace this is not to make you tired.

Practice every day or 5 days a week.

Dont eat before swimming, eat a small snack like a granola bar.

For breathing, every 3 strokes breath. Once you finish 2 laps DO every 5 strokes, then7 then 9. That helped me a LOT now ican do a 50 with only breathing 2 times. for more advice email me

Answer 2

First off on freestyle, you should be breathing every three strokes, and you should be blowing bubbles while your face is in the water. If not, you will constantly recieve more and more oxygen and will hyperventilate. Also, make sure you drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.  Butterfly breathe every other stroke, and breast stroke breathe when you need to.

Another tip, make sure you know these techniques: the flip turn, and the pull out.

Answer 3

when i started swimming i felt very tired also this is normal. you need to swim a certain amount a day and let your body work up the muscles to swim longer.