r2i forum

Hello,
I am in my late 30s. In the midst of my midlife crisis, I feel dejected that I am not doing anything that is interesting:)Though I would love to swim, as I started learning in my 30s I am not able to get hold of that and learn fast. I am not good at any sport :(. We have a community swimming pool. I go there once in a while float and swim till I can hold my breath and stop it.

Do you guys have any suggestions. I did go to few classes when I was in India.
I really want to learn.

Appreciate your help folks.
Srini

Are you trying to swim with your hands? That is what I did. Then some kid told me (I was 21 then and he was like 12) to use my legs and boom I turned into a fish. Not exactly. But it is all about movement of legs. Try holding the bar on the side of the pool with hands and bring your legs upto the surface by flapping them with speed. Practice this often and it should get you going. Hands give direction and do some pushing, while legs keep you afloat and push.

returning_indian;311505Are you trying to swim with your hands? That is what I did. Then some kid told me (I was 21 then and he was like 12) to use my legs and boom I turned into a fish. Not exactly. But it is all about movement of legs. Try holding the bar on the side of the pool with hands and bring your legs upto the surface by flapping them with speed. Practice this often and it should get you going. Hands give direction and do some pushing, while legs keep you afloat and push.

That is the best advise for people who want to learn swimming by themselves. But, it takes a lot of practice though.

Take one on one classes. They will really help, ask for a teacher that has worked with adults, he/she will get you to use the correct type of floats and having someone watch over while you are in the water will help to gain confidence quicker. It is kind of hard at this age because of your body being so ungainly and out of control once in the water ;-), but if you go at it with the correct mind set, you will succeed.

I do flap my legs too. I have problem breathing when I am in water. I am not able to put my head up and breath in and swim. When I put I head up I will sink.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

returning_indian;311505Are you trying to swim with your hands? That is what I did. Then some kid told me (I was 21 then and he was like 12) to use my legs and boom I turned into a fish. Not exactly. But it is all about movement of legs. Try holding the bar on the side of the pool with hands and bring your legs upto the surface by flapping them with speed. Practice this often and it should get you going. Hands give direction and do some pushing, while legs keep you afloat and push.

PeterGriffin;311516That is the best advise for people who want to learn swimming by themselves. But, it takes a lot of practice though.

PG seem to have taken this advise seriously. However, we will have to wait to see whether he turns into fish or a motorboat.

mn_op;311543PG seem to have taken this advise seriously. However, we will have to wait to see whether he turns into fish or a motorboat.

A few decades ago, a brilliant idea dawned on me and i decided to take up swimming at the YMCA. My first few classes were to hold on to the railing and stay in the water for the whole class. The instructor then asked us to hold on to those railings and let the body float. He asked us to flap our legs to remain on the top. I thought it was too much work and didn't go back again. In retrospect, if i was resilient enough, i would have learned to swim. :)

If you want to learn, then the easiest way is to take classes esp group lessons which are cheaper too.
Normally they teach free style which is little tougher, try to learn breast stroke which is much simpler.

sriniV;311531I do flap my legs too. I have problem breathing when I am in water. I am not able to put my head up and breath in and swim. When I put I head up I will sink.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

Try rotary breathing. It's a technique that you will have to master gradually. Here's a link that gives you some details about it: http://whatkateate.com/2010/04/10/step-by-step-guide-to-rotary-breathing/

Don't give up and it's never too late to start. I learnt swimming when I was well into my late 20's and am quite a good swimmer now - although only in a swimming pool. Still cannot get myself to jump into a lake or the ocean and swim. Something in the mind being finicky when my feet can't touch the bottom! But throw me into a swimming pool and I'll come out alive. Good luck!

mn_op;311543PG seem to have taken this advise seriously. However, we will have to wait to see whether he turns into fish or a motorboat.

You sound like fox news. Wonder why?