How long did it take you to learn to swim?

[i_am_tbjxii]

I’m taking swimming lessons and I’m struggling to float and master the basic mechanics. I just wanted to see how long it took you all so I can see what is timing is reasonable

[monkeynutts]

It's practice, dog paddle as much as you can. It's just nerves, like riding a bike, but different, because it's actually dangerous if you never master it. We put babies in pools here. Because it's actually a very natural skill. Don't give up, try filling your lungs with air and floating on your back.

[JakeS00]

A whole summer to get it down, and I got better because I guess I wanted to be a swimmer one day when I was younger. I took classes too. It depends on how much you practice and get used to the moves.

[JakeS00]

Thanks for MHG!

[i_am_tbjxii]

No problem!

[MORPHEUS_12]

I was like 8 years old. Floating and doggy paddle came really easy. The key is to relax and ease your fears. Fear will prevent you from accomplishing what you want.

[WindAtMyBack]

A fairly long time. I took lessens at a young age, probably before elementary school. I was afraid to swim or open my eyes underwater. The lessons lasted several weeks and I never seriously attempted to swim, so the lessons were a waste. I don't remember when I actually started swimming, but I eventually did it on my own. I know for sure I was swimming by the 5th grade, so I learned sometime before that.

I do remember the first time I opened my eyes under water though. I was always afraid to do it at the pool during lessons, but one day I was in the bath tub and spontaneously stuck my head under water and opened my eyes. It was soapy water but didn't bother my eyes. I was never afraid to do it after that.

[EmyyWolf]

Well I think it takes maybe a week. I don't know.
I’ve always been to pools and beaches and nobody was teaching to swim. WTF?
im sure it’s supposed to come natural.

put your dog in a pool and it’ll swim out.
try doing some diving down. all you have to do it hold your breath, easy! And breathe when finally out. my sister and I a would do that all the time and it was fun as hell

what kind of adult doesn’t know how to swim Lmaoo

[Guy__]

Many people have never been to a pool. Add the fear and shame.. Could be difficult.
Even those who can swim, can learn a lot from a professional diver.

[Guy__]

But that's a symptom of a deeper issue. Somehow, most people need to relearn how to breathe, walk, chew, even how to shit correctly and naturally.

[Anonymous]

Never learned, which is not good.
Tried as a kid, as we were forced to take classes in elementary school. It didn't work for me, and the experience was traumatizing.
I also almost drowned at a lake when I was a kid. Peer pressure forced me into the water, and despite all the effort of trying to will myself to do it, I sank like a stone.
I made efforts again as a teenager, asked my estranged dad to teach me. Still didn't work.
My mum never learned either. She tried, didn't work.
I know people who are not strong swimmers and don't feel confident in water, but they did learn. I don't know why it doesn't happen for some people. It's a cruel fate, even when the will and desire are there.

[Gloree]

In my home, you're taught swimming at the age of 4 or 5.

I remember my mum took me and my twin to the river and threw us inside. I thought she was going to kill us.

But I noticed she would bring us out back as we were sinking deep. We would gulp for air and we were clinging to her and crying mummy mummy but she did it a couple of more times and I realized in the bid to survive, my arms and legs would kick out and before I knew it I was swimming and so was my twin.
I and my twin taught my younger brother the same way. My mum was too busy to do it. He was 3. He was screaming so much and crying so we left him. But my younger sister took the bull by the horn and taught him the same way. He started swimming in three days. It is good to start early.

[MTC29]

I could swim at age five and began taking real swimming lessons at age seven. I became a certified SCUBA diver at age 17 and passed the swim test for acceptance into the US Naval Academy (although I did not attend the Academy).

Swimming just came easy for me.

[Tyrael]

I learned when I was a kid so I reckon it took at least a few dozen trips to the swimming pool. It's easier when you're younger I think. Your body will naturally float which is helpful, the key is to remain calm and still with your arms and legs spread out. The more you practice the better you'll get at swimming though.

[isoldeskywalker]

I learnt to swim when I was very young… but I didn’t learn it well enough to be good at it. All in all, I think I got there in about, like 3-6 months? Then again, I was like, 4. Then I went back at in my tweens and I got very good at it in a month or so. Slow learner much?

[litty]

I learned at 5, but I'm still learning because you can always improve your form. You get better every time you do it. Important part to remember is to stretch to prevent cramps and not smoke cause that can get in the way of your breathing when underwater.

[wouterv]

So I don't know if this a world wilde thing but in the Netherlands its normal to learn how to sein form verry Young i could sein pretty well when i was 5 you have 6 or 3 main thing younneed to get to prove your a suffiecient swimmer is for younger age frog bronze sliver then gold and then you need you a b c swimming diploma's inwas i dont remember well i guess i was 8or 10 when i was done. Hope this helped

[Hopelessromantic53]

I started learning when i was about 8 or 9. It took me a month, i think. I used to go to this swimming club with my cousins during summer vacay, and it is so fun.
Ah good times

[sheikalana]

I took swimming classes when I was a kid and was never able to learn how to swim. Then when I was around 8 years old I taught myself how to swim in a pool.

[petitedollbabee]

I learnt how to do backstroke and I can doggy paddle since age 12, but still can’t do any other swimming styles due to asthma.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I didn't remember. I just learned by observation when I was in first grade during swimming class. Some of my classmates know how to swim while some can't but I don't want to be humiliated so I guess that's why I managed to do it.

[exitseven]

I can remember my mother teaching me how to swim. It was at the beach but I really don't remember how long it took. Maybe an hour of so.

[Bricealan]

Learned quickly, took tests as a Lifeguard, in my teens.

[TacosRAwesome]

I was in the water at around 6 months of age with floaties and could kinda dive by age 7. That said I lived near a beach and my dad was a diver.

[helva]

In a few months between Eastern and summer holidays when I was 6 or 7.

[verylovelyguy]

i knew by the time i was 5. i was so young that i dont remember

[Fuentes]

I just learned I don't know how when I was like 4 or 5