Helpful Hints to Learn to Swim

Learning to swim at any age can be a daunting and difficult task. It is an important and life-saving skill, but there are many different aspects to learn. When learning to swim, you must master several different techniques and styles to be able to swim efficiently and properly. Always swim somewhere with a lifeguard or a partner until you know you can swim safely.

  1. Comfort

    • Getting comfortable with the water is the most important step. Practice moving around in a shallow pool to get acquainted with the water. Fear of water prevents a lot of people from learning how to swim. Take baby steps to immersing yourself in water. Step into the pool, then get on your knees. Lower yourself into the water slowly until you get comfortable. Take your time and go at your own pace.

    Breathing

    • One of the harder parts about learning to swim is learning to breathe while swimming and holding your breath underwater. Getting water in your nose or throat can hurt and turn you off from swimming. Take a deep breath and hold your nose to go underwater. Dunk yourself under for only as long as you're comfortable. Once you master that, practice going under and blowing out of your nose to make bubbles. When you start swimming, you have to breathe above water and blow out of your nose while you swim.

    Balance

    • In the water, you have a different balance than you do on land. Wade around in the pool and see how to walk or run in the water. Learn the new weight of your body to help you move in the water. Part of balance is learning to float in the water. Once you're comfortable in the water, take a deep breath and lie back in the water. With your lungs full of air, your body will float as long as you hold your breath. You must relax completely and stay calm to successfully float on your back. The dead man float is another useful tool. Lean forward into the water and hold your breath. Blow out of your nose or pinch it to keep from breathing in water. Stretch your body out in the water and float face down.

    Strokes

    • Practice and learn different strokes for swimming. The basic hand-over-hand stroke, called the front crawl, is the most common. Press your fingers together and cup your hands for paddling. Push off a wall with your feet and kick your feet up and down in a quick, short motion while paddling with your hands. The dog paddle is a very basic and simple stroke that wastes a lot of energy but can keep you moving in water. Rapidly bat your hands around and kick your feet to move forward in the water. The backstroke is another good beginner's stroke. Float on your back and kick your feet, then paddle backward with your arms.