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| Marikina Sports Complex - one of my favorite places for training. |
I never had the opportunity to learn how to swim as a child. As my trips to mountains (many of which have falls and rivers) and beaches became more frequent, I realized that my inability to swim is preventing me from enjoying my travels to the fullest. I was always that lone guy by the shore, splashing water and playing with the sand, afraid to go farther.
The day finally came when I have gathered enough resolve to sign up for a swimming class. The skill didn't come easily. I took a trial swimming class at ULTRA where I was the only one with absolutely zero skills - negative skills at that, given my irrational fear of water. I quit the lessons and decided that I would have to overcome my fear of water first before signing up for a swimming class. I went to La Mesa Ecopark which has a descent 25 m 6-lane lap pool. I stayed on the shallowest end of the pool at 4 feet, and just let allowed myself to float and figure out how to make myself move without panicking. One of the lifeguards noticed what I was doing. He would later offer me lessons which I gladly accepted. I figured that one on one sessions would be the best way for me to learn.
For an informal arrangement, our lessons were rather well-structured. We started with basic floating. We then proceeded to the basic skills involved in freestyle - flutter kicks, arm pulls, breathing. After my seventh lesson, I was already crossing both ends of the pool - and without panicking (note that the pool is 10 feet at it's deepest - that's roughly twice my height). By the time I completed my tenth lesson, I could already do breast stroke and little threading.
I have snorkeled on every beach I've been to ever since - from the clear waters of Masasa which has an extensive coral reef to the black sand shores of Anawangin where there wasn't must to see. But knowing how to swim does not mean that being in the water no longer post a risk. I nearly drowned trying to fight strong currents in a waterfalls in Kibungan, Benguet. Just three weeks ago I had cramps on both my legs while making lapses in Marikina Sports Complex. It was the worst feeling I ever had while swimming. I struggled to keep myself afloat with the excruciating pain. I tried to calm myself down and paddled my way to the shallow part of the pool where I waited for the cramps to subside. There was a lifeguard a few feet from me, but he didn't do anything. I only caught him watching me as I grimaced. Lessons learned: never fight strong currents - AND - there are ways to minimize the risk of getting cramps.
At present I'm working on improving my endurance. I haven't swam my first continuous 500 meters yet, nor mastered other strokes or thread for a very long time. In Marikina where I practice I would often be around a bunch of grade school kids - school athletes I suppose, whose skills are eons away from mine. I consider them a source of inspiration. I wouldn't deny that I have ambitious goals - to join an aquathlon before 2014 ends, and a triathlon maybe in five years. I can only hope that I can match this ambition with dedication in training. Anyway, I just signed up for a swimming club online, and I hope, my schedule willing, I would be able to practice with them within the next few months.
I believe that my story isn't uncommon. While I may not be the best swimmer around, I believe my experience bears a nugget of inspiration for many aquaphobes like myself was. There's only one effective way to learn how to swim - have someone teach you. A formal swimming class, a willing friend who is competent enough, it doesn't matter. It's almost impossible to tell what you're doing wrong without someone to point it out to you. There are plenty of YouTube channels that teach proper swimming techniques and other best practices. Speedo, GoSwim and Total Immersion are among the few I subscribed to. The video lessons are, for the most part, useful only to those who already know how to swim.
One on one classes are the way to go, but group classes are obviously cheaper. Be aware, however, that there are instructors who would entertain as many students as possible to maximize their profits without taking their students' skills into consideration. Opt for a homogeneous class, i.e., one where your classmates have roughly the same skills as you do.
It's impossible to over-emphasize the importance of training regularly. Swimming, like any skill, wanes if not practiced. Also, do consider invest in good equipment. Goggles and swimwear are obvious must-haves. Other equipment such as flippers, hand paddles, kick board and pull buoy have their own uses (which I wouldn't elaborate here).
There is no single way to teach swimming, but here's what you might expect if you sign up for a class. The freestyle is usually the first target skill and the lessons are (at least the one I had) are arranged as follows: flutter kicks, arm pull, breathing. Once you have learned freestyle, breast stroke, back stroke as well as other skills such as doggie paddling and threading should be easier.
* - just an exaggeration. For all I know aquaphobia could be an actual clinical term.
The day finally came when I have gathered enough resolve to sign up for a swimming class. The skill didn't come easily. I took a trial swimming class at ULTRA where I was the only one with absolutely zero skills - negative skills at that, given my irrational fear of water. I quit the lessons and decided that I would have to overcome my fear of water first before signing up for a swimming class. I went to La Mesa Ecopark which has a descent 25 m 6-lane lap pool. I stayed on the shallowest end of the pool at 4 feet, and just let allowed myself to float and figure out how to make myself move without panicking. One of the lifeguards noticed what I was doing. He would later offer me lessons which I gladly accepted. I figured that one on one sessions would be the best way for me to learn.
For an informal arrangement, our lessons were rather well-structured. We started with basic floating. We then proceeded to the basic skills involved in freestyle - flutter kicks, arm pulls, breathing. After my seventh lesson, I was already crossing both ends of the pool - and without panicking (note that the pool is 10 feet at it's deepest - that's roughly twice my height). By the time I completed my tenth lesson, I could already do breast stroke and little threading.
I have snorkeled on every beach I've been to ever since - from the clear waters of Masasa which has an extensive coral reef to the black sand shores of Anawangin where there wasn't must to see. But knowing how to swim does not mean that being in the water no longer post a risk. I nearly drowned trying to fight strong currents in a waterfalls in Kibungan, Benguet. Just three weeks ago I had cramps on both my legs while making lapses in Marikina Sports Complex. It was the worst feeling I ever had while swimming. I struggled to keep myself afloat with the excruciating pain. I tried to calm myself down and paddled my way to the shallow part of the pool where I waited for the cramps to subside. There was a lifeguard a few feet from me, but he didn't do anything. I only caught him watching me as I grimaced. Lessons learned: never fight strong currents - AND - there are ways to minimize the risk of getting cramps.
At present I'm working on improving my endurance. I haven't swam my first continuous 500 meters yet, nor mastered other strokes or thread for a very long time. In Marikina where I practice I would often be around a bunch of grade school kids - school athletes I suppose, whose skills are eons away from mine. I consider them a source of inspiration. I wouldn't deny that I have ambitious goals - to join an aquathlon before 2014 ends, and a triathlon maybe in five years. I can only hope that I can match this ambition with dedication in training. Anyway, I just signed up for a swimming club online, and I hope, my schedule willing, I would be able to practice with them within the next few months.
I believe that my story isn't uncommon. While I may not be the best swimmer around, I believe my experience bears a nugget of inspiration for many aquaphobes like myself was. There's only one effective way to learn how to swim - have someone teach you. A formal swimming class, a willing friend who is competent enough, it doesn't matter. It's almost impossible to tell what you're doing wrong without someone to point it out to you. There are plenty of YouTube channels that teach proper swimming techniques and other best practices. Speedo, GoSwim and Total Immersion are among the few I subscribed to. The video lessons are, for the most part, useful only to those who already know how to swim.
One on one classes are the way to go, but group classes are obviously cheaper. Be aware, however, that there are instructors who would entertain as many students as possible to maximize their profits without taking their students' skills into consideration. Opt for a homogeneous class, i.e., one where your classmates have roughly the same skills as you do.
It's impossible to over-emphasize the importance of training regularly. Swimming, like any skill, wanes if not practiced. Also, do consider invest in good equipment. Goggles and swimwear are obvious must-haves. Other equipment such as flippers, hand paddles, kick board and pull buoy have their own uses (which I wouldn't elaborate here).
There is no single way to teach swimming, but here's what you might expect if you sign up for a class. The freestyle is usually the first target skill and the lessons are (at least the one I had) are arranged as follows: flutter kicks, arm pull, breathing. Once you have learned freestyle, breast stroke, back stroke as well as other skills such as doggie paddling and threading should be easier.
* - just an exaggeration. For all I know aquaphobia could be an actual clinical term.
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