Quote Originally Posted by Kitsune06
Part of my fear of the water has always been that I get *so* tired and then freak when I can't put my feet down or something while I catch my breath...
If you are okay with swimming 25 meters, just find a 25 meter lap pool, and make sure you have a 15-30 seconds break at the end of each lap. If you can do 50 meters that's even better. The important thing is to rest before you are tired so you don't panic.

If you can't swim 25 meters without getting really tired, then find a non-lap pool (or a smaller pool) and try shorter distances.

Good luck!