Do You Know How To Swim?
By JenAC1984
@JenAC1984 (233)
United States
June 4, 2012 4:41am CST
Hello MyLotters, :-) (Questions below my story.)
I learned how to swim at a very early age. Well, for me it was called swimming, as if I remember correctly, it was called "doggy paddling" but that didn't bother me on bit! I was just overjoyed that I was now swimming for the first time on my own! I think this topic sticks with me for a very special reason. You see, as I was younger, I didn't have the chance to swim that often, as I cherished the moments of spending time with my cousin, Donna at our family get togethers once a year. Donna was a very beautiful and loving woman. She was the reason I learned to swim because she took her time to teach me. It may not seem much to some, but to me, it was exciting and I felt free!
Sadly, a few years had past. I grew up and moved away. I still had the memories of swimming and feeling secure with my cousin, Donna.
A phone call changed everything! it was my sweet, little grandmother's voice on the other end crying. She had told me that my cousin, Donna had been murdered. I dropped the phone and my heart sank past my feet. Such a loving and caring person...Now gone. I wished I had spent more time with her. I actually thought about vsitng her a few months before her death but never took the time to because I caught up in other things.
I have learned to accept it you know? I have moved on and she is still in my heart! She is also watching all of us from heaven, I do know that! I love you my cousin!
Question Time!!!!!!
So, how did you learn to swim?
Are you afraid of water?
Do you have a fear of sharks and/or snakes?
Or...Do you swim like a fish?
You can choose a question or tell me about your own experiences!
I'd love to hear from you! :-)
3 people like this
19 responses
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
4 Jun 12
I love swimming! I taught my self how to swim. Seriously. I just discovered how it is to float, and after a long time of holding my breath while swimming, I learned how to swim freestyle, so that there's no need to hold my breath in. It's funny because when I was 4 or 5, I was really afraid of the water. I would throw a fit when we're in a pool. But, once I started to like it, nothing could stop me. Nowadays, I'm very busy having two jobs. But, I still go to the gym, even just so I could swim at least 15 minutes.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Hi gloryacam!
I still, till this day have to use a nose plug..haha.
I think most small children are afraid of the water. I fell off a raft with I was around 4 years old. I do not remember water in my nose, but I can remember how frightened I was. Teaching children to swim is a huge deal! It may protect them one day you know? You hear the horror stories of children, teens and even adults that drown each year. Sometimes it can be prevented if people learn how to swim and teach their little ones as well. But even the best of swimmers can be pulled under. I love the water, but I have a huge amount of fear when it comes to sharks, as most people do. In fact, I've never met anyone personally that enjoyed their company..Haha! Thanks for sharing your story with me! :-)
@knowledgehub (202)
• India
5 Jun 12
i can only swim a little bit but thanx for that helpfull information now i will try my best thanks
@aghiuta (525)
• Canada
10 Jun 12
I learned to swim in 4 days at the lake when I was 7 years old.My parents took me to an instructor,,they wanted to be sure that I will be safe if we go somewhere ,where there will be swimming. It turns out that I was quite good at it,so they put me in a sports club,and the rest is history ,as they say.At age ten I was selected in the national team of Romania,I won many competitions,and the last 5 years of my swimming career,I was champion,at 200 m butterfly,It gave me a chance to visit many countries,which would have been impossible during the communist regime,and opened my appetite to live in a better place.Now I live in Canada and love it,snow and all.
It was very hard work,it took over my life for 16 years,but it was worth doing it.Now I only swim for health,pleasure or play(and sometimes to show of...LOL)
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Hi aghiuta,
Wow, you are truely an ispriation! It's an honor to become friends with such a determined person. I applaud you for your hard work and success. Thanks for sharing your story with me! I would only dream of becomming as good and trained swimmer as you. That's wonderful!
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Well, even if you do swim like a frog, hehe I applaud you for still having an interesting in it and never giving up! You don't have to be the best at something to enjoy it! That's right! Who cares, as long as you are having fun right??
Thanks for sharing!
@musicloverfriend (1465)
• India
5 Jun 12
Well the thing that catches my mind here is about your loving cousin. It's very sad.
I'm just surprised that I get to see all kind of people here at mylot.Really, I never heard murder cases among my friends or relatives.I thought that was for others.But here, though I don't know much about, you are like my friend and I have come to know these cases need not always happen to others 
the world is so bad.
Well I don't know swimming. I can't say I didn't try to learn 'cause I was afraid of water.I have a bid pond beside my house but still never took the interest 'cause at home, nobody knows swimming and our family is not very socializing meaning we don't talk to much people around and swimming never came to my mind when I was small.
WELL, I guess learning to know swimming is very essential in life....
the world is so bad.
Well I don't know swimming. I can't say I didn't try to learn 'cause I was afraid of water.I have a bid pond beside my house but still never took the interest 'cause at home, nobody knows swimming and our family is not very socializing meaning we don't talk to much people around and swimming never came to my mind when I was small.
WELL, I guess learning to know swimming is very essential in life.... @JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Thanks for mentioning my cousin. She had a heart of gold. As I've said above, I miss her but she is in a better place with God.
I am sorry that you never had the chance to swim much. If you have a pool close to home, you could try staying in the shallow area just to experience what it's like. Not everyone has an interest in swimming and that's okay! Yes, I believe it is very important for people to teach their children to swim. There are too many drownings each year. In some cases, it would not have happened if the kids knew how to swim.
Thanks for sharing with me!
@doc_holiday (35)
• United States
5 Jun 12
I love to swim! At the time that I learned to swim, I was living in San Diego, CA and we had our own in-ground swimming pool. I would beg my parents to give me another lesson. It was probably their idea to teach me, but I couldn't get enough. Even before I knew how to swim, I would hold on to the edge of the pool and go around the edge of the deep end. Then there was the ocean! I started to learn to surf before we moved. Water is a dear friend to me that has been around almost as long as I could remember. It is a bit foreign to me when people say they are afraid of water. Even if I was stranded in the ocean the water would not be what I would be afraid of. My swimming skills have diminished since we've moved, but I can still hold my own just fine. Swimming was such a big part of my childhood, that I thought everyone learned how and did it. For me it was like learning to tie your shoes, it's just part of life. I actually experienced some culture shock when people would tell me they did not know how to swim. I love to swim underwater. That is my favorite. I developed the art of holding my breath. At my best, I was able to hold my breath for a little over 2 minutes.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
I've been to the beaches in Cali but never swam there. I always wanted my very own swimming pool too, but I semi grew up with a single parent who didn't have much more than a paycheck to cover the bills. He always worked hard though, and I thank him for that. I say semi, because I didn't live at home for very long as a child.
I've always wanted to surf, but I just couldn't bring myself to do so. A friend of mine invited me to the east coast to go diving once, but I was so caught up in my job that I never had time to go. I regret it now, but it's okay, there is still time.
Thanks for sharing your story with me. It sounds like you had a very eventful childhood! I applaud you for taking on all of those experiences and working hard to learn the skill of swimming!
@Chikezie (385)
• Malaysia
6 Jun 12
Swimming has been a long cherished interest I have because I just love water but unfortunately for me I was not privileged to swim because there was no water or pool close to me in my growing up. Until I came to Malaysia and I learnt how to swim at the age of 27 years. First it was scary because I wonder what to do and do people flex their body in water. Funny enough in the pool was little children below 15years swimming, I had to challenge myself. I was a subject of ridicule to my friends as they laugh at my movement. The water level was my neck height but I was scared to move. I could only walk. But as days passed and sometimes, I would to the pool alone, though scared what if am drowning and nobody to rescue me. But with tenacity I was learning though I also drank alot of pool water especially when I want to suspend my body in water, but i was not discouraged. I started to gain water confidence and was moving gradually until I could float and was trying the butterfly style from one end to the other though breadth-wise.
I progressed as I try learning other styles. I know I still have learn more to say am a good swimmer but am glad am no longer that scared. At least in emergence, I can do something to rescue.
Swimming is very refreshing and interesting activity. I love it because I turned it to my excess as I flex my whole body. i do not swim like fish but am no longer a novice. JenAC1984
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Hi Chikezie,
I also love the water and swim like a fish. Growing up, swimming was a huge part of my life. To become flexible enough for longer swims, I worked out a lot and streched. I bet it was hard for you to never have that chance to experience swimming as a child. As an adult, I bet you have become a great swimmer. It's a wonderful sport to be involved in.It does wonders to your overall health! Thanks for sharing with me!
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
As a parent myself, I applaud you for making sure your own children had the time to learn the skills of safe swimming. It is so important! I bet your yearly swimming trips also give you and your family more of a chance to bond. It's so important to spend quality time with those you love. I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. It's so hard but as time passes, we realize our loved ones are in a better place. Thank you for sharing!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
4 Jun 12
My cousins and brother and sister taught me how to swim by hanging on to the edge of the pool and swimming like that. It was fun and yet scary. We also would do a train around the pool which was to swim or walk holding each others shoulders or hands. It was quite a fun experience and pasttime for summer hot days.
I am so sorry to hear about your dear cousin the way she passed is quite tragic and scary to the say least. I hope the one who did this did not get away and will be charged and put in jail for life.
I am afraid of snakes and sharks. I've swam in the ocean only onc as I've been to the beach only once, but it was fun and exciting for me.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
My brother and I played water games as well. We use to go on a search hunt around the house to gather change and then walk 3 miles to the city pool every day to go swimming. We were lucky, as we always found just enough money to do so. Yet, after a while, I developed swimmers ear and had to take a break for the rest of that summer.
Thanks for your concerns about my cousn. She is in a better place now. I miss her so much! She would have been a great mother, but she never had children.
I am afraid of snakes and sharks myself, as you can see from my comments above..Thanks for sharing your experiences!
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
4 Jun 12
I love swimming... I pretty much learned how to swim on my own when I was a kid... I loved water back then, too... I've never been really afraid of water... I remember my mom practically had to drag me out of the water... As for sharks & snakes... Few years back, I've gone to one of those tropical vacations where they took me out to swim with the sharks... Well, not really with them like you would with dolphins but swim in a water with sharks... Almost like "shark watching"... I loved it... I've heard as long as you respect them don't don't invade their space, they'll leave you alone, for the most part... And I agree with that... I've learned to have "healthy fear" for them...
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Hi sk66rc,
You were very brave to learn how to swim on your own. Wow, you swam with sharks on your vacation? How impressive, yes, you are a brave one I see! It is good to keep your distance, but I also think it's great that you took the chance to have fun with the idea, and I bet it was exciting. I would never be able to do such a thing, so I applaud you for that! Dolphins now, I would love to swim with atleast one in this lifetime. They are smart and beautiful creatures. Thanks for sharing your love of animals with me!
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Hi lampar,
I too had a fear of swimming but I never gave up, thanks to Donna.
It's easier to learn how to swim when you have help. Swimming is also great therapy for me. I want my kids to have the same experiences. Thanks for sharing!
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Hi Jen, I really normally answer that question but I really don't
think I could saw anyone not even myself,,,you see I can swim a
long distance under water but I have never learned the proper
way to swim with the coordination with the arms.
I took beginner lessons 3 differennt times but my fear of drowning
just kept me from doing the right thing...But its ok I do have
much fun in the pool/beach...
I am very afraid of snakes,,,they relly give me the jitters and
all of that stuff...I don;t even like to have a conversation about
them so thats it for this subject.
I am joining the YMCA this week just for the pool....
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Hi bjc66bjc!
As adults, we are never to old to take lessons and learn! If there is something you want to improve, I say go for it. Yet, if you are comfortable with your style of swimming, I wouldn't worry about it.
I have had many people respond with the fear of drowning. I think this is just a normal, human reacton. It can be a very uncomforting thought. I also agree that swimming pools are so much better and safer too. Thanks for sharing!
@ginspearl (209)
• Philippines
4 Jun 12
Oh I am sorry to hear the lose of your cousin! I believe everything happens with a reason, anyway you already have moved on.
With your question, i've learned how to swim during high school days though not good enough for me to become a good swimmer for I could only swim a little. I wanted to swim in different styles but I could not because I don't know how to do so or maybe I am just afraid doing it.
I do prefer swimming using a goggles because I don't want closing my eyes inside the pool or in a beach perhaps, thus, it makes my eyes irritated.
And if given a chance, I really wanted to be good swimmer, and that is still what I am hoping for until now, though I am a little bit fearful in learning more about swimming stuff and I pity myself for that.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Thanks for mentioning my cousin. She was a very caring person. I wish I would have spent more time with her while she was here. She is in a better place now.
I have also wanted to try and learn different styles of swimming. Maybe I should take swimming lessons with my kids. I know they would enjoy it.
I also must use goggles. I never did learn how to swim without holding my nose. It makes swimming a little easier for me. I also use ear plugs to prevent swimmers ear. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me!
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
4 Jun 12
I learned how to swim when I was 8 years old, one of my classmate taught me. We always go to the nearest beach in our province every weekends.
I am not afraid in water in fact I love it. I dont have a fear in shark because I believe they will not attack you as long as you dont invade their territory, but I am very scared of snakes because of their venom and appearance.
I can swim like a fish and I love to dive. I remembered when I was starting to learn how to swim my siblings always scolding me because I can stay in the pool for 5 hours, they afraid that I might get sick but luckily I did not during that time.
Swimming is one of my favorite sport because it is more fun and helps me to lose weight. I gained a lots of weight last year and swimming is the best activity that helps to maintain my normal weight.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
It's neat to learn how others have learned to swim and most importantly, who was there to teach them. You were so very lucky to grow up near a beach! I bet you have some very fun memories. I also agree that sharks demand respect, as we do as humans too. I have heard of a very few, maybe even less attacks at shore. I just hope those few people made it out okay. You can never be too protective. Most people need to pay more attention to their surroundings.
I also love swimming and always wanted to jump off a diving board. Maybe I need to try it some time when I take my kids swimming. For me as a child, I think I was just a bit too shy to do so. Swimming is great for your body. I love it!
Thanks for sharing your story with me!
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
I absolutely agree! I have also had fears of swimming with snakes. I grew up in a southren town where a lot of people would go swimming at the like, as did I, regretfully. Yuck! If I would have known then as a child what I know know! I will jut make sure my children never swim in a dirty lake. It frightens me, just the thought of it. Thanks for sharing!
@angelkarah050182 (4980)
• Philippines
7 Aug 12
I really want to swim but I couldn't until now. My husband tried to teach me but my body was so heavy. I kept on sinking. Haha. I admire young children who can swim at an early age. I hope that someday I'll learn how to swim. I want to swim and swim and swim. I will make it as one of my hobbies.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
4 Jun 12
A little bit, but really, it is not something that I am too fond with doing all the time. I have no delusions about my ability to swim, because trust me, thinking that you are better than you are, is a lesson that I have learned the hard way at least once or twice. I think that it was so long ago that I learned to swim, it was likely when I was young.
I do tend to take a slight dip to cool off, but really it is not much swimming rather involved, just rather relaxing and rather rest. Then again, haven't really had the time to be near the pool a couple of summers. And not to mention, I can just as easily cool off with a nice cold bath. But perhaps that is just me. Still it has been something that I have casually done at best.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
4 Jun 12
I also agree as you mention to never be too confident in your skills, especially when it involves being able to swim, as it only takes one tme to drown. A cool bath can do some good, but I prefer sitting out in the sun with of course, sun block! I am white, very wite, so I must protrect my pale skin. I have also taught my two small kids to swim. Yet, they still need practice every summer. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me!
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Well, I believe if you have the interest to accomplish something, you are never to old to learn how! I also have a fear of sharks. I do however want to visit the beach and build massive sand castles with my kiddos! I love spending time and connecting with them as much as I can. I have also been teaching them about how and why to be safe and cautious around water. Thanks for your response!
@Lizomatic12 (96)
• United States
4 Jun 12
My uncle Donnie taught me how to swim on a summer vacation to Florida. I treasure the time that he took to show me how to swim. Back when I was growing up, Grown-ups and children did very little together. Children were to be seen and not heard and if Grown-ups came into the room, you waited to be asked a question before you spoke. So yes, I treasure the time that I had with my uncle.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
5 Jun 12
It's nice that you had your uncle there to teach and guide you. Everyone needs a positive role model. Thanks for sharing!
@JieMing (89)
• United States
4 Jun 12
I learned very young too, around 4. My dad loves swimming to he was excited to teach me early on. Of course that was just doggy paddling too. I am actually terrified of sharks. People always tell me how rare shark attacks actually are but it doesn't help at all, I am still terrified. I remember falling off of a water ride miles away from the shore and panicking until the jet ski came back to pick me up. Haha.
@JenAC1984 (233)
• United States
4 Jun 12
Hi JieMing,
I think it is great of your father to have taught you how to swim at such a young age. Not many parents really realize just how important it is to teach these skills to their children. Shark attacks are very rare, but they do happen and we must protect ourselves and loved ones. I also fell off a water raft as a child at a water park and skid up my knee, but I just jumped right back on and kept going. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me today! Have a good one!
