I'm 32 and I can't swim. Any tips please?

Question

Going for a swimming course soon. Any tips on how I can become a swimmer and what do I need to take with me? It's been 32 years not being able to swim :-(. I'm just not being able to float. I can do the arms things but my legs just walk in the water.............. Help! Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi, are you in the UK???

Did you know swimming will be free of charge in the UK soon, starting with kids and elderly and then everyone! So just go along to a splashpool and have a go

Answer 2

The most common problem I have come across is people do not like to put their face in the water.  Unless your head is low your legs will sink so you need to practice, with goggles cos they really do help.  Other than that just listen to your instructor, there is nothing I can tell you that he/she wont.  Good luck, it is worth it.  I was terrified of water after I was pushed in a pool when I was 7 yrs and never learnt to swim properly untilI was 30 yrs and I've been an instructor now for about 8 yrs.

Answer 3

I'm 62 and can't swim, don't let it worry you. I think most of the problem is a lack of confidence.

Answer 4

Hey Donna Marie, just sent you an email with all the swimming info.

Answer 5

wow i thought i was one of the few (fem 34) i swim like a brick  :-( heard to bout the free swimming, great thing i think!!!

good luck

Answer 6

Go to your local council leisure centre and enrol for beginners swimming lessons. They have them in the day and evening so you can go even if you are working. They are small groups, all adults, many of them will be older than you, and none can swim. I went to adult classes because I couldn't swim or even float. It's a really good atmosphere. They teach you how to float and then how to get across the pool by stretching your arms out in front and just kicking with your legs.

Once you can do this you go on to the next stage lessons and learn how to use your arms and swim properly.

They are really good fun and it's really nice to be among other adult non-swimmers because you always think you are the only one who can't swim, when really there are many others just the same.

You only need to bring your swimming costume, gogges and a towel. Some people like to wear a swimming hat too. The teacher will provide all the floats.

Go for it, and enjoy!

Answer 7

Its suprising.

If your even slightly diagonal instead of straight when swimming, you'll sink.

You need to be daring and swim straight, guarenteed you'll swim fine and you will float!

Its pretty hard with bad experience and/or lack of swimming to be confident enough to try swim with your body horizontal but it works, and once you've done it once, you'll be much more confident

Answer 8

Go to the part of the pool where you can stand up and basically experiment. There are different styles so try the basic ones first like breast stroke and just go at your own pace.

I think the biggest step is gain convidence and not fearing the water. While your still afriad your be too tempted to keep your feet on the floor.

Answer 9

you have to kick your legs furiously

it huts for a while but once your going

ur be flying :D

just remember to keep kicking the legs and breathing and dont rush yourself

good luck in your course buddy

Answer 10

I found it hard at first and done the same as you. I just kept on trying, you dont even have to try, just keep goin to the pool and it will eventually make you more relaxed in the water. I used armbands to learn the actual technique first, and then one day I was in the shallow end wwith no armband when i swam out to the deep end. I forgot i had no armbands on until i came back. Then i knew i could swim so i relaxed. the reason you sink is because u tense up. Long answer, but hope i helped!

Answer 11

First off, you shouldn't have to kick your legs furiously. That will just ware you out quickly.

Mainly you should bring goggles and a nose plug if you need it.  You can also bring a swim cap if you want to protect your hair more.

The course will help a lot so don't worry about not knowing much. Just stay calm in the water. Panicking and flailing makes it worse. The main kicks are flutter (kicking your feet up and down while on your belly or back), breaststroke/frog (bring your legs into your chest, spread them apart and out, down and together, and repeat... looks like a frog kick), and butterfly (it looks like a mermaid. legs together moving up and down)

I hope that helps. Just try googling swimming help if you need it.

Answer 12

Just practice floating.....wallow around a little, find out what breathing patterns keep you afloat the best.  Your lungs full of air are the best floatation device then just start practicing some gentle strokes....breast stroke (swimming like a frog) is usually the easiest....you can also keep your head above water