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Can you learn to swim in a few weeks?

Never learned before (cousin nearly drowned nearby as a kid, was petrified of water after that so the parents just gave up teaching me), but I have a holiday coming up, a free swimming pool included with my gym membership and 3 weeks to learn. I don't have to swim on holiday but I really want to do so in the sea.

Is it possible? How long do you need to spend each day? Ideally, does one need somebody to teach them? :pierre:

Reply 1

tohaaaa

16

Well, if you're completely terrified, I will fully advise you get a swimming instructor!

Reply 2

Enoxial

16

Original post by Collette94

Never learned before (cousin nearly drowned nearby as a kid, was petrified of water after that so the parents just gave up teaching me), but I have a holiday coming up, a free swimming pool included with my gym membership and 3 weeks to learn. I don't have to swim on holiday but I really want to do so in the sea.

Is it possible? How long do you need to spend each day? Ideally, does one need somebody to teach them? :pierre:

Its possible!
Just take some one with you who knows and watch him/her.
Good luck!

Reply 3

Collette94

OP

Original post by tohaaaa

Well, if you're completely terrified, I will fully advise you get a swimming instructor!

Haven't been in the water for years so I don't know if I'd still be scared, though I remember I used to hate getting water in my nose/lungs, and trying to see underwater :unimpressed:

Do you reckon a couple of hours every other day with a good instructor would be long enough? Really don't want to miss out on my holiday :biggrin:

Reply 4

Ancient Alien

Original post by Collette94

Haven't been in the water for years so I don't know if I'd still be scared, though I remember I used to hate getting water in my nose/lungs, and trying to see underwater :unimpressed:

Do you reckon a couple of hours every other day with a good instructor would be long enough? Really don't want to miss out on my holiday :biggrin:

hello

im at the uni of brighton

good to meet you

Reply 5

Cerdic

18

Original post by Collette94

Haven't been in the water for years so I don't know if I'd still be scared, though I remember I used to hate getting water in my nose/lungs, and trying to see underwater :unimpressed:

Do you reckon a couple of hours every other day with a good instructor would be long enough? Really don't want to miss out on my holiday :biggrin:

Why don't you go to a local swimming pool and literally start in the shallow end to see if you're still terrified. Goggles might be a good idea as some learners find it disorientating not being able to see.

It's hard to say as someone who can already swim how long it would take to learn. I think the basics of breastroke, front crawl and the like should be really easy to get the hang of with an instructor. Of course you won't be Olympic standard, but you should be able to get comfortable with the idea.
If you're planning to dive in the pool this could take longer to get comfortable with. Even experienced swimmers belly flop occasionally which hurts, but just go at your own pace.

Have fun out there :smile:

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Reply 6

bibliboo

11

yeah I also can't swim but i'd like to. Is there anybody out there wholearned to swim later that can pass on some advice on the best way to start, how long it would take etc. Is it easy to learn?

Reply 7

A_Howells

9

I used to be apart of a group of coaches who taught swimming in the local pool (i was one of the spares who went to people individually incase they weren't doing it properly)

And it doesn't take long to learn how to swim. Most people who struggle are usually scared of water. I would recommend getting a friend or swimming lessons from the local swimming pool to show you the right technique involved. They usually have regular classes (between 5-6 people).

It can take some people only a couple hours to be an intermediate level swimmer. If you're willing to learn it won't take long at all, i promise :smile:

.

Reply 8

Sabertooth

20

You can probably learn the basics in that time. I can swim and have been trying to learn front crawl without much luck for the past 3 weeks (been 8 times). Maybe I'm just slow. :dunce:

Reply 9

Pegasus2

16

Yeah, you could probably learn one or two a strokes with some form in that time. Get down to your local leasure centre and explain.

You know that, generally, humans naturally float in water? Only just but they do.

Reply 10

TheHolubowskyj

12

Original post by bibliboo

yeah I also can't swim but i'd like to. Is there anybody out there wholearned to swim later that can pass on some advice on the best way to start, how long it would take etc. Is it easy to learn?

I'm a swimming instructor, and usually when people start learning to swim it isn't necessarily the swimming part, it's more the fear of water, not being confident enough to put their heads underwater, etc. Once you get comfortable around water (this is pretty simple, just jump in the shallow end with a friend that can swim and splash around, get wet, put your head under a bit) learning to swim is very quick.

It's good to get an instructor who can help with your stroke, but someone who can swim fairly well would be just as good at helping you hold your body horizontal, breathe to the side, etc.

As for how long it'll take, it really depends on the person and how long you can afford to spend in the pool. An hour or so a day is more than enough, you should be able to learn in a couple weeks if you really set your heart to it. Of course you won't be Olympic standard, but you can be a competent swimmer in no time at all if you work at it!

Happy swimming!

Reply 11

orangesandcake

2

Original post by Collette94

Never learned before (cousin nearly drowned nearby as a kid, was petrified of water after that so the parents just gave up teaching me), but I have a holiday coming up, a free swimming pool included with my gym membership and 3 weeks to learn. I don't have to swim on holiday but I really want to do so in the sea.

Is it possible? How long do you need to spend each day? Ideally, does one need somebody to teach them? :pierre:

I am honestly not boasting but I learnt within the space of 10 seconds. I had 2 of my friends holding me in the swimming pool telling me to kick my legs and sway my hands from side to side. They then let me go and ever since I am able to swim :smile:

Reply 12

TurpanBazaar

Deleted post

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 13

username402722

19

There are intensive adult swimming courses and so I am sure you could learn in a few weeks. Good luck.

Reply 14

It's****ingWOODY

20

Basic swimming takes a few hours to learn, you've got plenty of time :wink:

Reply 15

AwkwardLemur

10

Original post by Collette94

Never learned before (cousin nearly drowned nearby as a kid, was petrified of water after that so the parents just gave up teaching me), but I have a holiday coming up, a free swimming pool included with my gym membership and 3 weeks to learn. I don't have to swim on holiday but I really want to do so in the sea.

Is it possible? How long do you need to spend each day? Ideally, does one need somebody to teach them? :pierre:

Hello, Level One Swim Teacher here :hello:

You might have to spend some time initally learning not to fear the water, kids initially learning to swim can spend months alone on this stage! Try and build your water confidence by going underwater, treading water for small amounts of time, floating on your back etc.

Once you've conquered water confidence though, it really doesn't take long for an adult to learn assuming you have an instructor / experienced swimmer to help you along and show you what to do!

Good luck!

Reply 16

bibliboo

11

What scares me about starting is the head/body underwater bit lol.
How do so many people manage to swim underwater without goggles AND leave their eyes open doing so?

Is it not bad for eyes or irritating?

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Reply 17

kumon

16

Original post by Collette94

Never learned before (cousin nearly drowned nearby as a kid, was petrified of water after that so the parents just gave up teaching me), but I have a holiday coming up, a free swimming pool included with my gym membership and 3 weeks to learn. I don't have to swim on holiday but I really want to do so in the sea.

Is it possible? How long do you need to spend each day? Ideally, does one need somebody to teach them? :pierre:

Did you manage to learn it in the end? :biggrin:

Reply 18

username1339127

9

Original post by bibliboo

yeah I also can't swim but i'd like to. Is there anybody out there wholearned to swim later that can pass on some advice on the best way to start, how long it would take etc. Is it easy to learn?

I learned at a young age but I feel pretty confident that i could teach you how to swim basically pretty quickly.

Reply 19

ronmack

12

I learned to swim in 2 days when I was 10.

Can you learn to swim in a few weeks?

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