How to learn swimming at 30?

New
wtfaang

New

wtfaang
May 29, 2021 45 Comments

Yeah, you read it right. I didn’t learn to swim while growing up because there was no pool/water around me.

I have tried swimming multiple times in last few years with my friends but it always has been a casual affair of hitting the waters during summer, nothing consistent.

I tried looking for instructors but I see they mostly has classes for children.

What would you guys suggest the best way would be for me to learn swimming? The main motivation for me is to be able to do all the water activities.


1 month update:
Hitting the pool, 2 days per week.

Took one 30-min instructor session and I can now float with facing down, do dolphin kicks. I can almost complete a lap, but in a single breath, using hand movement of breast stroke plus dolphin kicks,. Also, able to do complete breast stroke but need to work on breathing technique and refining the leg movement.
Also, started with freestyle but still need to work on that. Also need to work on able to float facing the sky.(whenever I’m going in to float facing up, I couldn’t control my breath and water goes in through nose, lmao, so taking easy on this)
Thank you all for your motivating comments.

What worked for me so far?
1. A pool with max height of 5 ft
2. 30-min instructor session who told me how to float, the science behind floating, what dolphin kicks looks like.
All this gave me confidence that what I’m doing is actually right and just have to practice.
3. Lot of practice
4. YouTube videos, the following

Breaststroke basic: https://youtu.be/EElzlIMjk_c
Breaststroke advance: https://youtu.be/rVaXro6fcEQ

Freestyle basic: https://youtu.be/sBuoMkJsMsA

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TOP 45 Comments
  • YouTube videos and go to a lake or pool early, super early, in the morning so you can struggle in privacy
    May 29, 2021 7
  • I am on the same boat (pun intended)
    May 29, 2021 2
  • AT&T
    c@rtman

    Go to company page AT&T

    c@rtman
    I learnt watching YouTube videos. I was able to swim a mile in about 4 months. I practiced mindfully for a hour almost everyday. Never swam before and started at 35. I mainly followed Shinji videos (YouTube) and total immersion videos.
    May 29, 2021 2
    • New
      teIV57

      New

      teIV57
      How many hours did you put until your learned?
      May 29, 2021
    • AT&T
      c@rtman

      Go to company page AT&T

      c@rtman
      About 100 hours to feel extremely comfortable swimming freestyle with bilateral side breathing. It really is all about the technique, and you can improve subtle aspects of the stroke with awareness and time. The key was consistency and willingness to learn. I always entered the pool with an objective of what I wanted to practice in that session.
      May 29, 2021
  • Amazon
    nyPn83

    Go to company page Amazon

    nyPn83
    Swimming is really easy, it's no different than riding a bike. Yeah, you might need practice at first, but it's not complicated. In fact, your body naturally floats. Just find a chest deep pool of water and practice, your brain will learn and adapt.
    May 29, 2021 1
  • Amazon
    \O_o/'

    Go to company page Amazon

    \O_o/'
    Last year my friend took me to a pool and gave some basics like- water walking to stay afloat, how to use pool noodles to support the body while trying to stay afloat. I only had access to pool for like 3 times for 2 hours each time, but using pool noodles I atleast learned to water walk. Then using the floats(specially holding on to the edge on spring float by one hand) I was able to do laps around the pool on my stomach. I have lot more confidence with water now.
    Also attempted swimming in lake and river using life jacket/floats. Just did an intermediate level white water rafting and will attempt advanced level soon.
    Jun 23, 2021 0