swimming...is there hope?

[luvmypwds]

Nia, you can do it!! Don't feel embarrassed. Get private lessons - I strongly recommend them.

I know someone in my gym (a woman in her 40's) who could not swim at all (not even doggy paddle) go on to finish an Ironman!! No doubt, she worked very very hard, but she got into the best shape of her life and completed the race! It took her one full year of training, but that's pretty darn good if you ask me considering she couldn't swim at all!!

You can do it! If there's a will there's a way right?

[Nia]

Nia, you can do it!! Don't feel embarrassed. Get private lessons - I strongly recommend them.

I know someone in my gym (a woman in her 40's) who could not swim at all (not even doggy paddle) go on to finish an Ironman!! No doubt, she worked very very hard, but she got into the best shape of her life and completed the race! It took her one full year of training, but that's pretty darn good if you ask me considering she couldn't swim at all!!

You can do it! If there's a will there's a way right?

Thank you so much for your post! That is very true! the will is there...going to find tha path!! will keep you guys posted....the local pool happens to be closed until the end of the month (sigh) but i'll check out the nearby areas as well in the meantime! Thanks againf for all the encouragement!!!

[tribogota]

At the pool I swim at I see the adult classes that have people in them from about 35-80, and I see them everyday during the year, it is amazing how quickly they learn, in only 6 months they are swimming, and these are not "athletic" types. On my tri team we have 3 people who swim poorly, but as soon as they get out of the water and on to the bike they pass everyone, so...it certainly won't hold you back in a tri. I swim well, but bike and run slow, and all the slow swimmers pass me within 30 minutes.

[NbyNW]

It will be important to find a swim instructor who you feel comfortable with . . . when I was a kid taking swimming lessongs, my mother, who never had a chance to learn to swim, would spend the time learning to float. When I visited her last month she told me she tried taking lessons again and she could float but she still couldn't swim. I'm convinced she just needs to find the right teacher, who can explain the technique to her without getting her all confused. I hope I can convince her to keep pursuing it.

Today I took a swim technique clinic and they gave me a LOT of things to work on. It's probably been 25+ years since I took a swim class, so even those of us who have been able to do this for a long time have a lot to work to do!

You can do it!
Good luck!

[fidlfreek]

"I'm convinced she just needs to find the right teacher, who can explain the technique to her without getting her all confused."

SO true. Girl, its all about finding a coach who you connect with. My first coach at the Y was good and helpful but moved away. Then I hired a life guard who had been watching me struggle for months in the pool and just started giving me pointers. WOW, what a difference! Even though he's just a high school kid he makes me feel so comfortable and so far I have taken 4 minutes off my sprint swim time!

Don't be embarassed to try different coaches. Eventually one of them will connect with your learning style. Different strokes, different folks Plus, at the Y private lessons are cheap (mine are 4/$80)....