Don't know how to swim!

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Originally Posted by SwimBikeRun

Check out the Total Immersion method. Though I was a lifeguard and WSI, I never learned how to really swim, that is to swim competitively. It wasn't until I purchased the book and DVD Triathlon Swimming Made Easy and worked through the progression of drills that I trained my body and develop the muscle memory to be able to breathe on both the right and the left and to relax in the water. It took me several months to learn to swim again but it has been well worth it.

http://www.totalimmersion.net/

The key is to practice, practice, practice!

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Agree. I bought that book & it is very good. It does take practice!

I have been lurking on the triathalon forum for the past few weeks, toying with the idea...I just started getting back in the pool after MANY years, and my first two visits I was gasping like a grounded guppy after one length of the pool. I realized I am expending way too much energy when I swim, so I started checking out the Total Immersion pearls that I could find online. I have ordered the book for Triathalon Open Water swimming book and the freestyle DVD, but they won't be here for a few weeks.

I went to the pool today and tried doing some of the beginning drills, as best I could understand them, and what a difference! I slowed my strokes way down and focused on rotating my whole body and finding my balance in the water. I am really excited to learn how to swim again!

I went to my second lesson today. We reviewed what I learned last wed (rotating my body more, not lifting my head out of the water, proper kick etc) and then we did the back stroke (I did well on this), and then we worked on my stroke. As soon as I started to concentrate on how my arm/hand enters the moves thru the water, I forgot to breathe, or kick, or whatever. :rolleyes: For the most part, I was uncoordinated and sloppy and but every once in awhile, I did a really good lap. :D The good thing was, I didn't think about my breathing as much today and it felt a bit more natural. Next lesson, Wednesday. I can't believe I actually like swimming. I can't believe I actually like running either. Who knew????

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Originally Posted by KSH

For what it's worth Smiling Cat... I had to swim for 6 weeks on my HS swim team... in FULL SWEATS. Yes, the top even had a hood to cause more drag. It was my punishment for failing a class. :rolleyes:

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LOL...I'll bet you were fast after that though! When I did summer swim team as a kid we'd have things like pajama day, jeans-and-sneakers day etc. at the end of the season, so I know exactly how much harder that makes swimming! And then on high school swim team there was the famous garbage-bag relay (actually, I think we did that on summer swim team as well--same coach)...that one took the cake as far as drag goes!

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Originally Posted by kelownagirl

I went to my second lesson today. We reviewed what I learned last wed (rotating my body more, not lifting my head out of the water, proper kick etc) and then we did the back stroke (I did well on this), and then we worked on my stroke. As soon as I started to concentrate on how my arm/hand enters the moves thru the water, I forgot to breathe, or kick, or whatever. :rolleyes: For the most part, I was uncoordinated and sloppy and but every once in awhile, I did a really good lap. :D The good thing was, I didn't think about my breathing as much today and it felt a bit more natural. Next lesson, Wednesday. I can't believe I actually like swimming. I can't believe I actually like running either. Who knew????

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for the neuromotor-challenged among us it is incredibly confusing in the beginning. It's good practice to isolate the movements. Can't remember if you're doing Total immersion but if not, read my posts one page up.

After a year and 3 Months I can say I am comfortable swimming freestyle (let's say I was after a little under a year) - although I think my form could be improved.

We did flip turns on Monday and it got me as soon as we were supposed to actually swim towards the wall with arm strokes.

Oh and go and practice in between lessons. No matter how stupid you look.

Well December and January were lost to being sick. February was spent trying to get my body back up to speed, and March is the start of trying to pick up where I left off with swimming.

Once I got back in the water, panic took me. But luckily, it's disappearing again. I've been back in the water again for the past two weeks (much of it relearning what I started in Nov.) and doing all those great breathing drills you've recommended.

During lessons, he doesn't ever have me use my legs, only my arms for pulls and now learning how to do the freestyle stroke (ouch, my shoulder is not flexible enough to keep my arm straight). Maybe legs will come soon?

Just wanted to thank you all again, it was great coming back to this thread to get me back on track after that break!:D