learn to swim properly

... great instructor. He actually happens to be the coach for that Y’s swim team so I got lucky. Started small… he is pretty confident that I will be swimming laps in 2 weeks.

if only I can remember to keep kicking when I am moving my arms.

Woo Hoo!!

I can’t swim to save my life so finally signed up for the local Y’s adult swim class last night and will swim a lap by the end of the year. This evening is the first class.

So, the question is, besides the twice a week class, what are the steps to that final result.

I am in pretty decent shape which doesn’t help since I sink like a rock.

My class is already over. I couldn’t make it to the last one since I wasn’t feeling well. I’m so happy that I signed up. It’s amazing because I always feel so tired and nervous before each class, but seem to feel so energetic and more confident afterwards. I’ve been staying afterwards to practice, which is such great exercise. I love it! I think one more session will help me keep up the momentum. If I don’t improve enough by then, I’ll just practice at the gym in the mornings.

I’m still not sure if I’m swimming properly, but atleast I’m getting more guidance. I think I’ll ask for more criticism in this next session and try to find a book at the library. Wow! I haven’t been to a library in a long time.

I can stay afloat and all that, but my swimming peak was second grade swim team. I honestly haven’t thought about swimming all that much in the last, oh, decade, but I twisted my ankle and can’t run or bike or snowshoe or any of that fun stuff, so I’ve started going to a pool. It’s a small, laneless pool, and I start in the center and about halfway down I tend to hit the wall, literally. I need to look up proper stroke technique as well as get goggles so I can have a more efficient workout without looking like such a doofus. Plus, being able to do more than the breast stroke confidently would be very nice. Maybe if I actually work up a decent form I’ll try a triathlon this summer.

I had so much fun. I got bumped to beginner’s, which is good because I was able to ask more questions about my form and work on getting better without being intimidated. I was nervous, but had to take a full who-cares deep breathe. Then, I had to take my clothes off and hop into the pool with everyone facing me. Oh, wells! Who cares, just breathe… Yay! I was just happy that I got that ball rolling! I guess I could count it as a workout since I stayed later and kept swimming. Yay!

is the first lesson. I’m not sure if I’m more worried about being seen in a bathing suit or looking like a dork in the pool. Either way, nobody is going to care, right? If they do, then they need to get a more interesting life, right? hahaha… Anyway, I’m taking another baby step forward, so pooh to all gawkers.

I finally signed up for the lessons – 4 wks. I’m a bit nervous, but won’t think about it too much.

I was going to register for the adult swimming lessons that would’ve started today; but, I was torn between signing up for the beginning and the intermediate. I didn’t want spend time learning how to float and also didn’t want to go into a class where I was ill-prepared. I found out that the organization that I was looking at offers private lessons as well. I will pay a little more for less time, but I will be able to move at my own pace, which should be more cost effective.

is what we had to say before jumping into the pool at the swimming school that I went to when I 8 years old. If we didn’t jump in after saying those words, we would get a tap of encouragement from a long bamboo stick guiding us directly into the pool. Looking back, I can see why I didn’t get too far as a swimmer.

I loved spending summer days at the beach or by the pool with family when I was growing up. Then, one day, when I became so self aware, I hated being seen in my bathing suit and thought I looked ridiculous swimming. Well, I got over the fear of being seen in a bathing suit this summer when I was more worried about staying alive while scuba diving than worrying about what I looked like. I’ve probably said this a million times, but it was so liberating.

Anyway, I’ve completed 3 marathons and have always wanted to do a triathalon since the running seems to be too hard on my body. I never really took that goal too far since I still feel like I look ridiculous when I swimming.

So, this goal is perfect for me. I found a pool that offers classes to adults and I will register for a fall class tomorrow. I think I should sign up for beginning and not intermediate, but I’ll ask them tomorrow.

I seem to be able to stay afloat for a few strokes and then sink like a stone. I would love to be able to swim with dolphins one day, but knowing that the sea bed is out of toe-touching depth would completely freak me out.