Learning to swim - is it harder the older you are?

Philippines
August 22, 2012 6:09am CST
Can adults learn to swim? I'd like to learn but am quite scared of the idea. How should I start?
8 responses
@leeloo (1492)
• Portugal
22 Aug 12
Of course they can, adults can do anything. I had an acquaintance learn to ride a bicycle at 70 so swimming is much easier. If you really want to learn, you can do it yourself, but there are also pools that give lessons, for adults - at least here were I live - they have swimming and aquarobics lessons. The advantage of doing aerobics or another water excercise is that the pools allow for people to stand while being in water which helps overcome the fear of water. Being there with a professional means that if something goes wrong there is someone to help. The best is always to go slowly, find your own pace and just allow yourself to enjoy the feel of the water. I hope you do overcome your fear and learn to enjoy swimming. Good luck.
• Philippines
23 Aug 12
Thats a great idea about doing aqua aerobics - but surely riding a bike is easier. Thanks
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
22 Aug 12
Anyone can learn to swim at any age. The biggest difficulty that adults experience is dealing with the embarrasment of being a 'learner' in public. It is also somewhat more difficult to overcome a fear of water the longer that you have had it. You should first overcome your fear of appearing amusing, awkward or inexpert to others. You may get some smiles when you start but they are not going to be in any way threatening or unfriendly. If you aren't able to accept being a little undignified on occasion, then you have probably 'grown up' too much and need to recover some of your child-like self-confidence. The next thing is to lose any fear of water you may have. This is easy to do by taking things slowly, choosing a safe environment and gradually increasing the depth of water so that you understand how it supports you. Doubtless, you have no problems with taking a bath and there is really very little difference between lying in a tubful of water and the same depth of water in a swimming pool except that the large amount of water in a swimming pool will actually support you better than the small amount in a tub. Once you have discovered how to manage putting your head under the water without panicking, you will be ready to begin to learn how to swim. The secret is not to rush it and to always know that you are quite safe.
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
Your advice has really been most informative and sounds very true of me. Embarrasment is a big issue for me, as is general water confidence. Thanks.
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
27 Aug 12
YES OF COURSE! I am encouraging you to learn swimming especially the basic. Age doesn't matter there and for a fact that there is no age limit for you to learn the basic swimming. This is different from enrolling at nursery wherein you need to learn ABC and 1+1 that only toddlers can attend that school. You know what, I was 17 years old when I've learned this basic but then I have swimming mate before that I think he is already Senior Citizen which I assume if he is late 60's or 70's of age, obviously he is too old but then he is still learning the basic swimming. When I told my Dad about it he gave me a joke that of course he needs to learn that so that at least when he is already in heaven he knows how to swim. I mean of course I realize that there is no limits in learning the basic. I am also encouraging my boyfriend to learn the basic swimming as well even if he is already 29 years old.
@jgirap (210)
• India
22 Aug 12
yes definitely ,you should not be scared of swimming ,as you may require in your life some day ,go ahead and jump into pool .
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
Thanks for the encouragement.
• Indonesia
8 Sep 12
Why not. Everything still can because there is no prohibition for adults to start learning to swim, and would not hurt you to start it. All you have to do is learn to paddle your feet, if my style for beginners freestyle frog or more simple.
@ungu89 (1999)
• Malaysia
10 Nov 12
how now? are u already can swim? i learn to swim when i was 20years old, i take class during my study, just to fulfill my evening and weekend .once a week the will be a couch to teach me, other that i just when to the pool to learn it by my self. first thing that u need to hold that, this is what u want,at first i was scared too.. for start i learn at area that not so deep..i cant remember how deep. then after i can manage my hand and leg . i start to more deeper area, about 2.5m deep.. personally when first time to go, i cant count how many time i swim back..after being push and push... i took all the courage.. im happy now, that i can swim not..
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
24 Aug 12
I didn't learn to swim until the age of 38, and boy, do I wish I'd learned earlier. I went to special swimming classes for adults, and within three weeks, I could swim 25 metres without putting my feet down. Check with your local council for classes in your area. I've never looked back since, and I swim almost every day now. i'm trying to make up for lost time!
@djalex14 (195)
• Canada
22 Aug 12
Hi!I cant swim...but I will try soon..It is fun to swim.I am sure that I can learn faster..Dont be afraid for water.Water is our friend...We cant live without water.Learning to swim you can make sport and be more active.I will learn to swim for sure