When Did You Learn To Swim

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:59 pm

Did you find it easy

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:09 am

yes i was a fish! (sorry Guppy!:) )...my Dad was a champion swimmer as his recreation and insisted i learn very early, maybe 4. then i was put on snorkel gear at 10 and taught to free-dive. SCUBA as soon as it was widely available. i feel like a dolphin whenever i enter the sea.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:21 am

I took lessons when I was bout 8.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:33 am

Something im still not very good at, i can do it but not gracefully, learned at school, part of the curriculum beginning at 8 if i remember right

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:11 am

I took lessons when I was young when we were all sent to a local swimming centre, but I sucked, and still do! :wah:

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:00 am

1968. I did swim for the school and did all that survival stuff too. I could stay underwater for 70 seconds so how these free divers stay down for minutes at a time is totally beyond me

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:08 am

Like LC my Mother was a champion swimmer in her day. Growing up she taught YMCA back yard swimming classes so we just joined it. Eventually I was teach YMCA swimming classes as well. So I was very young and it was a very natural thing for me.

If you don't know how to swim take lessons it is the best way to learn as an adult. You will love the water it is a wonderful thing to swim feel good exercise. :-6

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:28 am

PomPom keep trying you will be able to eventually. Just learn to float first and tread water on your back kicking your feet and moving your arms in a circular motion. Once you get the feel of that floating and moving. You just roll over keep kicking your feet and move your arms in a circular motion on top of the water.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:37 am

This happen a lot with adults when they try and learn to swim, but you can get passed it. Just float on your back for a while and then you will understand the dynamics of staying afloat.. :-6

That is also why little kids just take to the water no fear what so ever for the most part. The just love it and automatically kick there feet and move their hand.

[QUOTE]Oh you make it sound so lovely and easy! Maybe it is, maybe I think myself into sinking. One of these days I shall give it another go...[/QUOTE]

venus · Post by **venus** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:03 am

I was like LC and CArla. My mum was a fgreat swimmer in her time and my brother and l were swimming before we could walk.

and diving by the time we were 4 anmd never had a fear of the water, lm like others here a water baby..a piscean too!!

I have made sure that my son also has no fear od the water and can swim. Where l grew up we were surrounded by water, sea or river so if you wanted to be safe it was a must.

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:23 am

pompom;476231 wrote: I can swim - like a brick. Had lessons a few years ago, still no luck .

Then a friend encouraged me to go swimming with him and eventually I doggy-paddled a width.

If I could swim I know I'd love it and have even swum in my dreams!

Another non - swimmer here . Im petrified of the water

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:54 am

I was about 10 or 11 and I took to it right away. I love water!!

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:40 pm

Erm....., never,.......... whoops, better stay away from the rivers!

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:11 pm

I was always able to keep myself afloat. But my cousins helped me learn to swimm one summer..I was probably about 7 or 8. We were not allowed to go into the river near the place we vacationed in the summers, so that was my motivation.

My cousins also taught me to ride a bike. They are both 3 years older than me.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:27 pm

pantsonfire321@aol.com;476038 wrote: Did you find it easy

Why ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:29 pm

I learned to swim when I was about 5 or so. Took swimming lessons for years, it was so much fun in the summer!:-6

Insomniac · Post by **Insomniac** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:35 pm

I learned to swim at summer day-camp held at a local park for kids during the summer break. There were too many other kids there for me to fail...the embarrassment factor was too great.

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:47 pm

I learned as a small fry......lol:p

Saffron · Post by **Saffron** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:50 pm

When I was 5 my mom put me in a swim school and I learned fast. I remember there was a boy in my class named Gary who I had a huge crush on. He had an "outie" belly button. I can still remember.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:45 pm

I have kinda happy memories of swim classes. A rare bit of shared childhood with my sister. We must both have been very little: four, five.

In Australia, almost everyone learns to swim, usually early. All that coastline. Beach culture.. When I went to my aquarobics class early this morning in Sydney, there were loads of very small school kids there (Kindergarten, Grade 1 age). By the time they get to school most aussie kids can swim, but just in case they can't, the schools carry on the lessons.

Margareta and me, standing on the edge of the sea tide pool, at Palm Beach in Sydney, shivering in the early morning, our toes curled round the rocks. Johnny Carter was the lifeguard who taught us. I still remember his name. Heard he's still teaching too. Must be an old man now.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 9:25 pm

These stories have made me grin! I was sooooo afraid! But I learned at Los Angeles High School Athletic Program. The absolute TERROR of watching the water come near as we jumped into the pool was effective, to say the least!

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 9:58 pm

i grew up around a pool and the beach. i can't remember when i couldn't swim..........

when i was in highschool i took three hours of swimming classes. advanced diving, synchronized swiming,and lifeguard training. i was in heaven.....like a guppy to water.........

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:37 pm

And look at you now, Guppy!!!!! A wonderful fish..

(I think I might be part mermaid)