Question for anyone who grew up inland, did you find swimming in the ocean quite a bit more challenging than swimming in a pool?

[Ad_Quid_Orator]

Here in Melbourne, Australia I've met quite a few people who said that the thought of swimming in the oceans is very daunting because of how turbulent the water is with all the waves. While they can swim, they did so in a placid pool so weren't used to getting rocked around,

I didn't grow up on a coast BUT I did grow up in the Great Lakes region of the USA and the lakes are large enough to have wave action as intense as the ocean but they are still freshwater. This means you aren't as buoyant as you are in the oceans so if you get exhausted while swimming, staying afloat can be a real challenge. So I actually feel safer while in the ocean and feel like I can go out as far as I want and don't have to worry about drowning.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Not so much if I remember correctly but I had the most rigorous training after school each day, being required to do things like aggressively kick in the water until my legs were on fire and then keep going. If any of us slowed down, the teacher would grab our legs and forcefully move them and scold us.

So first time I arrived at a beach, it felt like a complete vacation swimming far out into the ocean, and I liked how the waves carried me. It somehow felt more natural than the swimming pool, perhaps in part due to our greater buoyancy. I ended up getting stung by jellyfish one time though which was a major bummer.

The most difficult for me was freshwater lakes with very aggressive streams. I found swimming in those the most challenging and grueling, and often getting scraped up by rocks.

[joehypo1]

Dude if i was swimming in melborn austraillia i would not be able to get that jaws sceen out of my head and I absolutly love sharkes but you guy over in austrailia are some hardcore swimmers my hats off to you i dont know first hand but it sounds like there is some dangerous animals i would love to visit that place

[DizzyDesii]

Have yet to swim in the ocean. The one here is too dirty. I’d have to check Florida

[IslaTheWitch]

I prefer to swim in natural water containers rather than pools.

[zagor]

There are a lot of things in the water in Australia that you won't find in the Great Lakes. Even though Melbourne doesn't have the salties.

I don't know what the currents are like in the Great Lakes, but they can be a big factor in the ocean, usually more than wave action, as most people don't go swimming in storms or high surf conditions. The one outside Hanauma Bay in Oahu can get you in trouble fast.

[NathanDavis]

I'll just say this...

first time I went to the beach I had to learn how to swim to save my life, literally...

as far as I know, there are not tricky rip currents underwater in pools... lmfao

[purplepoppy]

Wouldn't worry about drowning in Melbourne. The sharks will get you long before that.

[Fireguy17]

nope, I grew up swimming in a lake, been in oceans and other than saltwater tastes like crap, water is water.
Now I am not that stupid to be out in 20-foot waves.

[ShadezMcgee]

No, there was no difference for me. Felt the same as pool, lake, river with the only difference being waves pushing you back to land.

[Nikki1989]

I learn to swim at the beach, and it certainly makes you a stronger swimmer.

[DryGermanGuy]

I mean there have to be really high waves for me to find it challenging... so, no.

[LiamJHayden]

I grew up and have lived at the beach my whole life, and yes, swinning in the ocean can easily be far more challenging. Pools don't have rip tides.

[CozyCoffin]

I only went into the ocean once. It was Christmas Eve. The water was cold but I didn't mind. I usually swim at a pool or in lakes.

[Redstang88]

Never noticed, I know better than to get in around big tide changes

[OddBeMe]

When I went to Jamaica’s farthest side and scuba’ed and snorkeled in farther out waters, absolutely. The waves are more constant.

[Jamie05rhs]

You can still easily drown in the ocean if you go out farther than you have the energy to get back.

[slatyb]

No, it's easier because of the increased buoyancy.

[Charliefretz329]

Of course. The waves 🌊 add to the challenge

[strateguy632]

it was