How to overcome fear of deep water?

Question

I am new to swimming.

I started taking swimming lessons about two months ago. I can swim in a relaxed manner (without any fear) at the shallower end. In fact co-swimmers and coach even appreciate my swimming at the shallower end. I can complete 8-10 widths (with pause after completing each width) comfortably at the shallower end. But moment I go to the deeper end of the pool with depth of 16 feet, my swimming becomes haphazard and I struggle to complete even one width of 20 meters. I can sense that I am not swimming properly

In fact my co-swimmers joke that if the water depth marking is changed to a lower figure, I would swim comfortably.

I think my problem at the deeper end of the pool is due to nervousness caused by fear of water.

Any suggestions on how to overcome this fear of deep water ?

Answer 1

evry time ur @ the deeep end i would just imagen that the floor of the pool is rite there and just keep swimming

Answer 2

It is the most natural thing in the world  for a new swimmer to fear depths. Perhaps a few pointers and additional exercises should give you more confidence::

>>As long as you have some air in your lungs and you perform your arms and legs movements correctly, your body is unsinkable. Practise some simple frontal or vertical float in a crouch fashion in chin-high water for 20mins or so. Get the feel of floatation and how your body behaves when stationary.

>>Once you are comfortable with the above, move to the wall where the water is at the top of the head and do some swimming along it or at one of the corners of the pool. Gradually move to the centre of the pool.

>>Do such acclimatisation drills over several sessions and do not rush. You should kill all phobia in a month, if you follow the sequence properly.

Enjoy and happy adventures!