How do you learn to go/see underwater?

[ms244]

My goal this summer is to actually be able to swim (as opposed to simply not drowning).

I have a hard time getting under the water, the idea of swimming underwater I think tends to freak me out.

Is there someway to overcome this?

 

[ms244]

I never really learned how to swim or had a place to go to swim. But I do now and trying to get good at it.

I think mostly its being new to going underwater.

 

[gamelan]

i just picked up swimming again this past spring so i know where you're coming from. if it really is something psychological like a fear of water, i'd take lessons. but if it's just something you want to get good at because you've never done it before, than go for it. get a pair of goggles and start by taking a breath and dunking your head under water. from there, i'd learn a stroke that allows you to move while underwater (i think breaststroke best simulates that movement). and i'd definitely learn how to tread water. but beyond that, have fun. swimming is a blast.

-Jeff

 

[Dakota rube]

And simply open your eyes underwater; your eyes work there, too.

 

[sidewinder13]

I took up beginners swimming lessons last year, took a break from them (of about a year, but I still practiced during this time) and now I'm in the intermediate classes. We still haven't done anything in deep water though (and it's my last class tonight), and that's something that I'm really looking forward to (since I do have a fear of the deep)

Originally Posted by gamelan

from there, i'd learn a stroke that allows you to move while underwater (i think breaststroke best simulates that movement).

I think so too. But I still have a long way to go to learn this properly. I suck at it.

 

[Matt]

threads like this always weird me out.

 

[dv_indian]

Wear swimming goggles. And a swimming cap and ear plugs.

 

[rlx]

Originally Posted by dv_indian

Wear swimming goggles. And a swimming cap and ear plugs.

And a swimsuit.

 

[javyn]

Deviated septum. I can't do anything but dog paddle lol. Putting my head under water is a no no

 

[MaxHeadroom]

Practice in the bathtub.

You only have to open your eyes once underwater to see if you can do it... and you might be surprised just how easy it is.

Fear of the unknown sounds like the problem

 

[Nosu3]

You will never get to swim with wild dolphins if you fear going underwater. They like human interaction and will probably try and initiate some sort of game to play. Let the dolphins approach you, they are curious and generally recognize humans as non-threatening. Sway your arms back and forth and they will imitate you with their fins. You will be distracted enough to not fear being underwater any longer, just keep your eyes open.

 

[word]

Originally Posted by ms244

My goal this summer is to actually be able to swim (as opposed to simply not drowning). I have a hard time getting under the water, the idea of swimming underwater I think tends to freak me out. Is there someway to overcome this?
This sounds ****** but you might consider playing games rather than doing lessons. If you have access to a private pool(or a lake) and have friends to swim with then organize parties at said places. There are sinking pool toys that are fun to play with. See who can gather up the most of them in one breath for example. I've known people who were wary of going underwater too. Once everybody started playing games they quickly overcame the fears. No way would they let their SO beat them at some game like that. Had to show em up. I learned real young growing up on Lake Norman, NC and having to fetch items dropped off our dock by friends/family. I did a lotta stupid stuff too. Like riding my bike from the house, all the way down the steep yard, onto the long dock and off a ramp at the end.

I've never used public pools so I don't know what kind of rules they have that would allow or prevent basic games.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by ms244

My goal this summer is to actually be able to swim (as opposed to simply not drowning).

I have a hard time getting under the water, the idea of swimming underwater I think tends to freak me out.

Is there someway to overcome this?

come over and i will teach you how to swim. i'll do it in a very relaxing, fun, non-stress manner. at your own pace. ill be there. you can hold onto me. hold my vascular arms in the water. if you slip a little, just wrap your arms around my glistening slippery but firm torso. feel me breath with you. we'll hold each other, and go under, you'll learn to swim in no time.

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

And simply open your eyes underwater; your eyes work there, too.

If you wear contacts, you'd want to take them off.

 

[.Impulsv]

Stand/squat in the shallow end, with your hands on the pool's edge.
Put your head underwater.
Exhale, making lots and lots of bubbles!
Come up for air when you need it.
Repeat.

It's sounds really dumb, but it's a way to get you used to putting your head underwater that's clearly safe to you. You can probably modify it to help you open your eyes, too.