How do I learn how to swim?

Question

I just graduated college and I passed the exam to be a Navy officer. However, I can't become an officer until I learn how to swim. How do I move in the water and do basic moves like the breast stroke? All of the YMCA classes are full. Thorough answers will receive 10 points.

Answer 1

u wanna first do doggy paddle. just move your limbs underwater and move a lot, back and forth. push down on the water. if u do that, u can get the basic doggy paddle down. if u want to just float, just keep on kicking. don't go wild when doing doggy paddle, cuz that might make u sink. it will take some time, try and get a friend who can swim to oversee u swimming. also, try short distances first. also, for breastroke, kick with your legs flexed and kick outwards and snap ur legs back in and repeat. ur arms pull the water from out, to the side a little (not too much if u wanna go fast), then back in, then shoot back out. for breastroke, each time u pull, take a breath if u can (just lift ur head above the water, it may take a while to get coordinated if ur just learning to swim), and the kick should be at the same time when u are shooting ur arms in front to take another pull. for freestyle, move ur legs up and down continuously (one at a time) and move ur arms one at a time continuously like a windmill (above water), but with a bended arm and the elbow should be the highest point. ur arms, when they enter the water, strecth it out then pull back ( ur other arm should be in the air now) and repeat. this may take a little while to learn. again, try and get someone to help u.

Answer 2

The breaststroke is actually pretty simple to learn.  But you should really learn freestyle first as it is the most basic stroke and is involved in rescuing. The legs are the easy part. Your legs should start off straight, then in one smooth motion, bend your knees towards your body then kick out at your side. At the same time your arms should be in a (I know this is a childish little way to remember it) monkey-airplane-soldier motion. Both palms in at your chestthen move them straight out, turn your palms so they are facing down(not sideways as commonly thought, and use bring them back to your chest and repeat the motion. When your hands are in the motion of coming towards your chest you should move your head out of the water to breathe.

There are probably other places around you that teach basic swimming anyways. Anyone in your family have a pool and know the strokes? Ask them

Otherwise, hope this helped :]

Answer 3

You have to just move. Flow. Be a part of the water. Just go under, and wipe the water from in front of you. (in that motion with your arms) Also, kick your feet.