Do You Know How to Swim?

@carolbee (16230)
United States
September 25, 2010 11:49am CST
Many years ago I was a swimming instructor. It was an unpaid position but was able to earn a free swimming pass for the entire summer to a public pool across the street from our house. I taught the little toddlers to swim up to early teens. It was great. Didn't realize until many years later how important it is to know how to swim and how important my instructions were to the little ones. Was also qualified to be a life guard but chose not to at the time. Can you swim and if not, are you willing to learn?
12 people like this
59 responses
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
28 Sep 10
I know a little bit on how to swim because when I was a little boy. We are going to the river and swim... We are always practice to swim with harsh current of water in the river most especially when more rain is falling... Have a nice day!
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
21 Oct 10
I learned how to swim in the stream as well during my childhood. The stream looked so attractive with its crystal clear water. I couldn't help and soaked myself in the cold and calm water. This was happened when collecting firewood in a rubber estate at the hill side Just swam like the dog style Though I didn't how to swim in the right way it's still quite enjoying
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
26 Oct 10
Wow! that quite good my friend. Because you know how to swim even that is not the right way which is observe from olympic games or at the pool. Well, I think those are not an important. The important thing is we know how to swim...
• United Arab Emirates
25 Sep 10
No i dont know how to swim. But i has been my dream. As a kid i used to go to a river or a lake to swim. Being from a middle class family i could not afford to join swimming classes. But now i have a dream that needs to be fulfilled.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
Might check with your local YMCA or YWCA that have indoor pools. They might offer lessons or know someone who can teach you. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Dec 10
Well you can also Learn at your local reck or find someone in your local Cumminity.
@urbandekay (18278)
25 Sep 10
I can swim and was a lifeguard all the best urban
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
Bet you have some great stories. Did you enjoy being a lifeguard? I had the opportunity but passed it up at the time it was offered. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
25 Sep 10
I can swim, I actually swim not too badly, but I can't say I really enjoy swimming, something about getting wet all over...
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
I use to swim in races but those days are over. The cholorine in public pools is a killer to the eyes and the salt in oceans drive my eyes nuts but am guilty of doing both. My problem is the sun now that I am older. Not so good. Thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
25 Sep 10
my sister used to be a competitive swimmer, she still swims a few times a week for exercise
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
25 Sep 10
I used to know how to swim, but now that you ask,,,it's probably been 30-35 years since the last time I went swimming. I hope it's like riding a bike & you NEVER forget!!!! I like to think that presented with a situation, that at worst I would only need to roll onto my back & float until I could get some HELP. I used to babysit for a couple who had a swimming pool. As each of their 3 children were born, they always took them out to the pool & in the water with them. Babies instinctively hold their breath when pushed under water. The problem arises in the fact that they don't know to not breathe while still under water. They took their babies & pulled them just under the surface so they would hold their breath. They would then show them how to twist their little body so they ended up on their back. It took less than a week before the baby was turning onto their back on their own. They would then let them float around the pool for several minutes so they would get used to the floating feeling. By the time they were toddlers, the little buggers were swimming like pros. I think child safety around water is ESSENTIAL when living close to swimming pools!!!! Back to your original question...I don't know that I could swim that well, but I do think I could keep from drowning!!! I tend to stay away from situations where I might drown!!!
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
It's a life saving skill you never lose. You would do fine if you got into the water again. Try filling your bathtub real high and go under water...lol Kids will for sure come back up once they are under unless they inhale tons of water or are held under. I would love the chance to teach our grandkids to swim. I taught our kids and they did very well. I had one jump off the diving board and I made sure the lifeguards knew I was there to get her. She went way under but so did I to make sure he got back to surface without any problems. I was trained and knew what I was doing so it worked well. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
25 Sep 10
I know how to float but other than that no. So if someone put me it deep waters I'd be in really big trouble. I'd really love to learn but the problem is the lack of time and the place to learn because the nearest pool is quite far from my place.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
Just be careful if you are out there swimming with friends. Ponds and lakes have drop offs and that can be dangerous. If I were in an ocean or lake, I'd wear a life jacket and I can swim. Just never know. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
25 Sep 10
Thanks! That's why I prefer swimming in pools because at least I'll know where's the part that will get deeper. My limit is up until my neck that's it. XD
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
5 Dec 10
It is good to know that you used to work as a swimming instructor years ago. I have never learned how to swim ever since I was a kid because my mother did not allow me to learn to swim in the river back to my time in the seventies where there was not a swimming pool in the city. I like swimming, but have never learned how and I will never learn how in my forties now. What a pity! Enjoy yourself, carolbee.
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
25 Sep 10
I've been swimming since I was very young. I love to swim and I've always been a very strong swimmer. My father was a competitive swimmer when he was younger, though he never bothered to teach me, it did inspire me to want to learn and be a good swimmer. I've never competed, but I still love it even though I don't get much opportunity to do it these days.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
15 Sep 11
I learned how to swim when I was a kid. My father was a rather mean man and when we were as young as 3 years old my father would throw us in the lake when we were camping, so we had to learn tp swim or drown. He did this with all 8 of us kids and we are now all strong swimmers. We grew up doing a lot of camping and fishing and swimming so we had to know how to swim. And I'm glad I know how to swim. I am still very much a water person and to this day I go camping and fishing and swimming and tubing down the river. When I had my kids I didn't teach them the same way as my father, but I put them in swimming classes when they were 3 years old. My kids are now strong swimmers too and they are adults. They also go still go camping and stuff and so do I. I think all kids should be taught how to swim. There would be a lot less drownings. I am always amazed when I meet someone who doesn't know how to swim. Cheers my friend, Chris
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
26 Sep 10
Hi carolbee, No, I do not know how to swim, but always wished that I could. When I grew up, there were no public pools to go to where I could learn. The boys in the neighborhood went to the "water holes" and taught themselves, however, the girls were not as free to do so. I have not been willing to go to a place that teach swimming for myself, but because of this lack in my personal life, I made sure that my little ones learned, through paid lesson, to swim like fish. My son, loved the water and did learn to swim like a fish. He is a diver, but my daughter did not enjoy the water, however, she can swim enough to save her life. Swimming is an important talent to have, so I still have time to learn.
@misheli (552)
• Philippines
25 Sep 10
I can swim but not a good swimmer. My eldest sun is a swimmer he competes from different schools. It feels good when you see your child competing and receiving medals in swimming.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
Oh yeah, that's quite an accomplishment. Congrats to him. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@leo2050 (348)
• India
25 Sep 10
i am very eager to learn swimming, but i am not getting much time to learn it. I even tried to go for swimming classes in my summer holidays but couldn't made it. Now i have made up my mind that anyhow i have to learn swimming, i am really interested to swim. It feels bad to see your friends swimming and you just starring at them.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
25 Sep 10
Check with any indoor, public pools in your area. They may offer lessons or know an individual who will teach you. And with you are with friends and they begin clowning around is when people get hurt. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Sep 10
no i have tried so many times but still can't get it.
1 person likes this
25 Sep 10
yes i know how to swim, a gigantic friend of mine taught me how to swim, but i have not mastered some techniques such as butterfly stroke, i always end up spraining my back whenever i try it. You seem to be an experienced swimmer, can you give me some helpful tips on this type of stroke.
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
21 Oct 10
Hi carolbee, I could imagine how happy it's to enjoy free swimming in a public pool for the whole summer. Therefore it's worth to be an unpaid swimming instructor. There was a river quite near to my house when I lived in one of the houses which was located next to an ochard. We moved house quite often due to my dad's occupation. I was so happy that I had got the chance to swim in the river, like what the kids from the neighbor houses doing I joined my playmates to learn to swim. They were rather older than me as I was still a preschool kid. I followed the way they moved in water. I felt so excited when the first time I could float on the water without a buoy. we used an old inner tyre as our swimming buoy. It's a great fun to swim and to have fun in the river. Happy posting
@wrangel15 (1443)
• Philippines
6 Oct 10
I know how to swim. I've learn it my way. We were raised near a river and we usually swam there when me and my sister are still young. For sure it is where I have learn how to swim. But still, I want to learn the styles of swimming they use for contests.
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
10 Nov 10
wow so you basically taught them for free?? and for so long, although you did get a free pass for the entire summer. that's really great of you. you helped so many young ones and you were even qualified for a life guard position. that's good. yes swimming is important. i knew it a long time ago and my school did have a lesson too but it's been so long now that i've forgotten a lot. i can swim a little provided i'm near the edge as i tend to panic at times. i would definitely learn to if i was able to and i can but with small children to look after, it's kind of tough right now. maybe in the near future, i might give it a try. but for now, i've actually enrolled my son in a class so that he can get the basics and won't panic so much.
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
how i wish i am like because i don't know how to swim, though i really want to but i am taken over by my fear every time somebody teach me how to swim. i think it is because i had a bad experience with water. i almost drown when i was a little kid. and i have not overcome that fear yet. though, just last week, i've learned how to float myself on the water. i am already 30 years old, too bad for me.
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
how i wish i am like you because i don't know how to swim. i really want to learn but i am so afraid because i had a bad experience in water when i was a kid. i almost drown when we go swimming at the beach with my auntie and cousins. from that time on,i am too afraid to go aloneswimming. but thanks God because just last week i learned how to float myself. i am already 30 years old, too bad for me.
@ajosh319 (100)
• Philippines
21 Oct 10
I know how to swim luckily our home is located near the sea. Almost everyday if there is a calm sea I usually go out and take for a swim.