Tips for Learning to Swim

People of all ages need to learn how to swim. There may come a day when swimming will be necessary and being prepared is important. Private and group swimming lessons are offered at most pools and facilities. Start by checking with the local YMCA for possible swimming classes in your area.

  1. Rules of the Water

    • Know the rules of the water before you learn to swim. It is important that a person respects the water at all times. Wearing goggles and a swim cap is optional. Whether you are at a pool, lake or in the ocean, always swim with a buddy. Pools offer a shallow end and a deep end. Novice swimmers should stay where their feet can be grounded at all times. Beware that lakes often "drop off" at deeper levels, and the ocean has swift currents that can easily pull under kids and adults.

    Getting Used to the Water

    • Ease into the shallow water of a pool to learn how to swim. Allow the water to rise to the chest area and firmly plant the feet on the bottom. Take a deep breath and submerge the head under the water and hold for as long as you feel comfortable. Exhale underneath the water. Next, grab hold of the edge of the pool and let the legs float out behind you. Kick your feet up and down in the water to keep in constant motion. Take another breath and place your face into the water.

    Treading Water

    • Tread water. This is a great tip to learn for deep water swimming. Grasp the edge of the pool, bend the knees slightly since you are in shallow water and kick the feet. Gradually release the edge of the pool. Kicking the feet in a scissors or "stair climbing" motion, will keep the body afloat. Place hands shoulder-length apart and move the hands inward (palms turns in) until they overlap, and then pushing back out shoulder-length (palms turned out). Treading water will help a person "bob" in the water and stay afloat.

    Freestyle

    • Push off from the wall of the pool to learn the basic freestyle swim stroke. The body should be horizontally situated in the water. Reach over the head with one arm, palm down, and pull the arm through the water, keeping the elbow bent and the face submerged in the water. Take turns keeping the arms in constant motion. You should be kicking your feet and moving your arms at the same time. To take breaths, tilt the head to the same side the body is tilting and breathe in air. Be sure to exhale underneath the water.