Swimming! About This Page:

[Nimros]

When did you learn to swim and how?

I am very embarrassed to admit that my younger two (10 and 8) do not know how to swim. I've never been very happy with the traditional "Y" swim lessons (my older kids took lessons at the Y but actually didn't learn to swim until later when they taught themselves by just doing it.) We've been searching, but haven't really found a program we like.

If I just had access to a quiet pool, I'm sure I could get them swimming in no time flat - but there's no pool available...

[akleos]

I took classes at the Y when I was very little but most of my swimming education came from my parents and two older sisters at the many Michigan lakes that were near our home and at out summer cottage!

[eff051102]

I learned from our small town community pool summer swimming lessons. I plan
on taking Eleanor in July or August for her first lessons at Emler's Swim School.

We have friends with pools so we will be going over there to practice. If you
have any friends or family with a pool, you could teach them there.

[jimmymac]

Backyard pool when I was a kid

[TKHmom]

My DD took lessons at the Y when she was 5. I was very dissapointed. There were different instructors each day and they did not watch the children properly. They didn't want the parents to watch, but my friend and I insisted. I am glad we did. There were two times when we had to tell the instructors that children were going under because they were not watching them properly. Last year I paid to have private lessons for my daughter and that is one of the best investments I have ever made. I am not a great swimmer myself and am not comfortable in water over my head. I didn't want my DD to be that way. Even though it can be a little expensive, if you can afford it, private lessons are the way to go. That way they get one on one with the instructor. We did two one week sessions that lasted 30 minutes each.

[stretch2864]

I have to admit at 40-something, I still don't know how to swim! I took swimming lessons every summer at the city pool, and every year I failed the class! After four years of beginners and the fact that I was much older than most of the kids in class, I finally refused to take swimming lessons anymore.

A couple of summers ago, DBF attempted to teach me how to swim. After an afternoon of attempts, I understood the concept. However, I still sank like a rock while trying to master whatever swim stoke he was trying to teach me. At this point if I have to be in water, I just make sure that I am wearing a life jacket!

Don't be embarrassed by the fact that your kids can't swim. I would make sure they have the opportunity to do so. However some people, like me, just don't pick it up as easily for whatever reason. I think in my case it was partly due to the fact that when I was a kid, I was really nearsighted and so couldn't see the instructor very well without wearing my glasses. Also, I was a string bean with no fat whatsoever on my body, so I was not very buoyant. It is frustrating to be outdone by kids much younger, so I think I gave up trying because I was personally embarrassed.

Good luck to your kids!

[Nimros]

Originally Posted by stretch2864

I have to admit at 40-something, I still don't know how to swim! I took swimming lessons every summer at the city pool, and every year I failed the class! After four years of beginners and the fact that I was much older than most of the kids in class, I finally refused to take swimming lessons anymore.

I think in my case it was partly due to the fact that when I was a kid, I was really nearsighted and so couldn't see the instructor very well without wearing my glasses.

Wow - you're echoing my story almost exactly! I did swim lessons as a child, too - but being very nearsighted made it difficult to see the instructor - let alone the side of the pool!! To be honest, it was terrifying! So I never did learn to swim properly.

When I went to the Caribbean for my honeymoon, I taught myself to tread water (very buoyant in those salty seas!) and I could snorkle well enough to go out on the reefs - but I still can't swim with proper strokes and breathing techniques.

I just don't want my girls to grow up not feeling confident around the water.

[DisneyFanAnn]

I took lessons at the Y when I was really little - I even remember getting my first certificate for holding my breath under water because apparently that was a huge accomplishment!!

[RobDVC]

I learned when I was 14, the year my family joined a swim club...started out by floating, then learned the backstroke.
Both boys learned early. We belonged to a swim club when they were 7&4. DS1 is a decent swimmer, but DS2 is a fish. We signed him up for lessons in the fall after our swim-club season, and he learned alot of advanced techniques (swimming underwater for the length of the pool, diving...)

[lexiemom]

I learned the summer after kindergarten when I was 6. A local college offered classes for free.

[clio]

I learned at a community rec center as a child.
Liz

[wdwlovers]

I had a couple classes when I was little, but not a whole lot. I don't mind being in the water, but with wearing glasses, I don't like to get my face wet. I'll take my glasses off and go under if I can, but then I can't see much. I'm also picky about where I'll swim when we are camping, it has to be water I can see my feet in.

My kids are fishies. We started each child about 18 months, and they just LOVE the water.

[emtpej]

We learned in a family backyard pool when we were very small. When we moved, we were in walking / bike distance of the YMCA. I think that may all be part of my family liking the shore more than the mountains...
DW and I have always made learning to swim a priority with our kids -- the county is surrounded by water, after all. We have taken them to lessons both public and private, and started them as young as they were allowed.

[Disney_Scarlett]

I learned when I was 3 years old. I've always loved the water (my mama took me to baby water classes when I was just a few months old) and I could not wait to learn how to swim! I took lessons at our country club for two summers, and then my mama took me 25 miles to the nearest YMCA during the winter months for two years to take more advanced lessons in their indoor pool.

I actually dated one of my former swim teachers for a short time - I guess he was 15 when I was 5, and then I was 21 when he was 31 and we dated for a few months. It weirded both of us out a little when my mom was like, "Lee, you used to give Scarlett swimming lessons!"

[Teresa]

I think I was about 6. My dad rowed Dsis and I out into the middle of a small lake and threw us in. We learned to swim.

I've done lessons for DDs through the public parks, and also private. I like the private ones best. Call the high school nearest you, and ask if there are any members on the swim team that would like to make some money. Young teens who love to swim + your money = swimming child.