r/MadeMeSmile • u/memesandkarma • Jun 23 '21
I'm 19, never touched a body of water in my life, recently i started going to the gym and i learned how to swim in a week, drank alot of water, but in the end i swam. i know many will laugh because i learned at a late stage, but I'm proud and that's what matters Small Success
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u/SubsforLunch Jun 23 '21
Dude there's no such thing as too late, for some people they never learn because of the access to water activities is non existing, or water conditions are too dangerous, like swimming in the Hudson River in NY, pretty sure you'd grow a 3rd arm if you swim in it.
Anyways, Congrats on learning how, keep pushing and getting better at it.
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u/ashlie- Jun 23 '21 edited Jun 23 '21
Yes! OP, I was a swim instructor for over 6 years in a beach city. I taught people of ALL AGES - from 6 months old, to 80 years old. I’ve not once had someone able to swim across the pool without touching the ground in only a week. This is an AMAZING feat! It’s really scary to even sign up for classes, let alone put your trust in someone to keep you from breathing water.
Your technique will get better with time and patience, and soon swimming will be second nature. This internet stranger is very very proud of you.
Edit to add: practice kicking when you’re not in the water. If you have downtime before getting up in the morning, lay in bed on your stomach and just do some kicks every day. Focus on keeping your legs straightened and your toes pointed. This will help propel you forward, since right now it looks as though your legs are slightly inhibiting the forward motion that your arms are working toward. Like I said, with practice this will be second nature. Swim technique is very difficult to learn fresh, but it will help you get across that pool using less energy. Never stop trying new things, u/memesandkarma.
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
thanks and this was an old clip too
i learned the leg motion yesterday
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u/ZoeMunroe Jun 23 '21
Yeah you did!! I’m not a strong swimmer but when I start to struggle I think of my feet as little flippers, and sort of point them like a ballet dancer and it always helps. Have you started treading water at all yet? So excited for you!! XO
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u/Tahoeshark Jun 23 '21
As the other poster commented, you should be very proud.
Swimming is a life skill that could save your own life or someone else’s.
This truly made me smile!
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u/itsnotthatsimple22 Jun 23 '21
The swim portion if the NYC triathlon is in the Hudson (in manhattan), as well as the Toughman triathlon (right near Indian point), and several smaller local tris . There are also endurance swim events across the Hudson near the Tappan Zee bridge, and a couple that go completely around Manhattan.
I've competed in most of the tris that start in the Hudson, and haven't had any new appendages show up, yet... I will admit that the water tastes absolutely disgusting, and I always have a bottle of Listerine at transition to rinse my mouth out. And my stomach is always a horror show for a few days after.
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u/Ry-Guy21 Jun 23 '21
They call the ones in the Hudson tris because eventually that is how many arms you have after the 10th race.
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u/gelatenous-blobfish Jun 23 '21
God, I'd be so worried about getting, like, flesh-eating bacteria, or some kind of fatal stomach bug, or an STI. Or overdosing on all the cocaine in that water.
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u/Neoxyte Jun 23 '21
Cocaine in the water you say? Brb going to take the A train uptown.
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u/Z1rith Jun 23 '21
ya, open water swimming seemed cool at first, then i did it a couple times and it is beyond disgusting. even fairly clean and remote lakes are filled with animal shit, they are like giant toilet bowls at the best of times.
and dont get me started on all the corpses ugh
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u/mstiteler Jun 23 '21
Ever seen the pictures of all the corpses in the Ganges in India? People that can’t afford burial or cremation just dump their loved ones in it since it’s “sacred”. People come every day and drink the water right next to the corpses. And I think like a million gallons of raw sewage a day is dumped in as well.
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u/TheKillstar Jun 23 '21
Nah that the Gulf coast in Texas that’ll eat your skin off. Apparently feeding the bacteria millions of gallons of oil was bad?
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u/gelatenous-blobfish Jun 23 '21
Yeah I heard all about the Gulf - husband lives in Houston and says Galveston is a no go if you have any cuts or scratches. Mad.
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u/AhoyShitliner Jun 23 '21
Such a shame, when I was younger we used to spend a lot of time in the Hudson. Right across from Bannerman island
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u/Mazon_Del Jun 23 '21
Dude there's no such thing as too late
Arguably there is. The point at which you are drowning.
But seriously, good job on OP going and getting this done! Far too many people just never get around to it.
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u/kouignie Jun 23 '21
I didn’t learn to ride a bike until 17. This year at twice that age I’m learning to swim 👍🏽
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u/rrosai Jun 23 '21
I learned to ride a bike at 17 too. Bike-learning-age twins! Unfortunately also around twice that age, I've never tried the whole swimming thing. Always wanted to learn, but not bad enough to take off my clothes in front of a bunch of strangers. I did ride a bike across the country though.
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u/Impressive-Water-709 Jun 23 '21
Idk about the Hudson but I’ve spent my life swimming in a creek less than a mile from a decommissioned nuclear reactor and I’m fine. No third arm, extra eye or anything crazy yet.
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u/Noble06 Jun 23 '21
Water is a great radiation shield. You probably got fewer harmful rays inside the water than outside. It is more chemicals dumped into the water that you have to potentially worry about.
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u/SubsforLunch Jun 23 '21
Considering the amount of trash and the fact that plane have existed in the Hudson, I'm not taking any chances with a chemical reaction, wasn't thinking of nuclear damage in water but I try not to lol
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u/KDawG888 Jun 23 '21
and the fact that plane have existed in the Hudson
....what? That is not why the river contamination is in question lol
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u/Celoniae Jun 23 '21
Fun fact- even if you swim in the coolant pool of an active nuclear reactor, you are receiving a lower radiation dose than the background radiation from the sun (provided you are at least 2 feet from any fuel rods)
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u/Noble06 Jun 23 '21
Another fun fact: If their is a nuclear event and you survive the initial blast you can protect your self from the radiation by hiding under water. As long as you stay there this methods will work for effectively the rest of your life!
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u/Z1rith Jun 23 '21
until some radioactive dust starts to drift into the water and turns it into a death trap
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u/depressed-salmon Jun 23 '21
As xkcd pointed out, the water is indeed very safe, but you'd die from all the bullets long before you got into the pool
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u/FoxtrotSierraTango Jun 23 '21
Actually a fun read, as are most of the other What If articles.
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u/Ry-Guy21 Jun 23 '21
Only sometimes though. I bet the crocodile hunter would have taken his chances with the rays outside of the water.
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u/yogadavid Jun 23 '21
Absolutely true. The bad secret not so secret truth is that you get 0.035 mSv (3.5 mrem) . You get from cosmic radiation flying coast to coast. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States sets the standard for phones at 1.6 W/kg . Chinese phones are the worst. Most are at 1.68 plus. The truth is that many things that we ignore because it is too damn convenient to let go cause us radiation. Especially any electronics. Old leds used to have massive radiation in certain colors until they figured out how to reduce it, but that didn't stop them from using them.
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u/PurpleValhalla Jun 23 '21
Also the water downstream from a nuclear plant has no radiation in it. A very highly regulated industry, zero chance that's happening.
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u/FPSXpert Jun 23 '21
Yup radiation doesn't, or at least shouldn't, go into water like that. Plants using an external water source only use it for cooling. The pipes for the water and the radioactive material are completely separate, like a radiator system and oil system in a car but maintenance is much more regulated (at least in the US).
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u/DrKarorkian Jun 23 '21
The hot water can cause ecological damage to the fish since warner water means less oxygen , but that is more minor compared to actual waste.
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u/chipsandgiac Jun 23 '21
😂 literally every time me and my friends walk near the Hudson we talk about how falling in would mutate you. On a related note, I fell in and now I have a third dick
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u/[deleted] Jun 23 '21 edited Jul 12 '21
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
lol🤣
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u/suddenlycumbly Jun 23 '21
But real talk, for me it's surreal that there are people without access to a body of water. I've lived ten miles or less from the Pacific ocean and it's such a bizarre concept for me. Congrats! Swimming is a lot of fun and some of the best cardio!
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u/ipunkimunki Jun 23 '21
You'd be amazed at how many fishermen don't learn to swim. It's not always about access.
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u/RockadileRed Jun 23 '21
I'd also imagine there's a fair number of people that know how to swim and work around water but have 0 comprehension of the difficulty of swimming in clothing and shoes.
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u/Lortekonto Jun 23 '21
Funny thing.
I was born and raised in Denmark where everybody learn to swim. It is part of the PE education, but most people can already swim before that, because there is ocean all around us.
Well then I go work in Greenland. Spend most of my time there on a small island in the middle of the ocean. No one knows how to swim. Water is so cold that you will freeze to death before you learn how to make the first stroke.
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u/Dimes-all-day Jun 23 '21
Dude from Denmark talking about cold water like they live in the tropics lol
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u/Listerella Jun 23 '21
I can see why you think that’s funny. It’s the same in Norway, which is even further north, almost as far as Greenland. We (both Denmark and Norway) benefit from the Gulf Stream. I suppose we’d quit swimming in the sea pretty fast if climate change put a stop to the Gulf Stream.
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u/DrFatShaft Jun 23 '21
Very valuable skill to have. Congratulations!
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u/jenna_hazes_ass Jun 23 '21
I had some trouble learning to swim when i was around 10. It blew me away at navy boot camp during swim quals... They ask who doesnt know how to swim and 50 inner city chicago black kids raise their hand. They spend the next week learning how for about an hour a day.
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u/DrFatShaft Jun 23 '21
That has to be one of the most stressful ways to learn how to swim
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u/jenna_hazes_ass Jun 23 '21
Not really. They have navy seals who are teaching a new batch of kids every week. Theyre probably the best swim instructors in the world.
Its a shore duty rotation for a few years to unwind them from deployments.
Really it just depends on how the kid is handling everything else. Not everyone makes it through boot camp.
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u/ManInBlack829 Jun 23 '21
I don't know, if shit goes sideways it's nice to have a Navy Seal 2 feet away.
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u/goldaar Jun 23 '21
Not really, the navy has no incentive to have sailors that can’t swim, so ensuring they aren’t afraid of water, and know how to survive are critically important.
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u/ink_stained Jun 23 '21
It a lot of other countries it’s taught in school and compulsory. It should be here. Paying for swim lessons now for my kids and it’s hugely expensive, and access to pools to practice in is dependent on rich friends. Really sad that swimming isn’t accessible to all American kids.
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u/BlueAndFuzzy Jun 23 '21
Sadly it’s largely rooted in America’s history of racial segregation. When the civil rights act said pools had to be integrated, instead of letting black kids swim in the pools, communities filled in public pools and then rich (white) kids got pools in their gated communities. Racists would rather not have pools than have their kids swim in “contaminated” water.
Source: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
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u/BagOnuts Jun 23 '21
It was required that you pass a swim test to graduate from the state university I went to. If you couldn't pass the test, you had to enroll in a swim class for your PE credits.
The test itself was pretty easy- 25 meter swim without touching the bottom and tread water for 90 seconds. It was amazing how many people couldn't do it. Glad they made it a requirement.
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u/ControlZestyclose Jun 23 '21
When I was at boot I missed swim qual due to a dental appt and had to go with the people learning to swim. I did my thing and passed, got out and went back to my division. The swimmers came back and pulled me aside to ask me questions. Since the qual is in phases, they were all stuck on different parts. Deadman float was the biggest obstacle because yeah they can doggy paddle enough to pass but floating with your face in the water? Big no. I told them to pretend they were in the bath and mentslly count numbers or ABC's when they were floating. They had their next lessen and two came back with the biggest smiles because my advise worked and they passed their qual.
My bf can't swim and I didn't find out til he jumped off a rope swing into a river we were kayaking on. He popped out of the water and I guess expect me to be right there with out kayak. I was waiting for him to surface so I didn't hit him and drown him. He was mad because he can't swim. I asked him why he wasn't wearing a life jacket if he can't swim. I was so incredulous.
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u/mtbgolf Jun 23 '21
Could save your life one day.
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u/some_random_chick Jun 23 '21
Indeed. A friend who lives in an urban area on a river saw 2 drownings in just the past few years. One the groups just stood there staring at the water waiting for ems because no one knew how to swim.
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u/ink_stained Jun 23 '21
Hell, I’m a strong swimmer (well, at least a strong not-drowner. I don’t have the best form or speed, but I’m super comfortable swimming long distances) and I’m not sure I would get in. It’s VERY easy for a panicking swimmer to drown another person. If I felt like I could drag them to a place I could stand quickly or it there was ANYTHING that could float i would want to help, or if it was a kid. But I’m not at all sure I could help a grownup.
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u/locaprincesaa Jun 23 '21
Yes I was taught this when going through my lifeguard training. They always encourage you to get something solid that is still able to float and extend it out to the person so they can grab it and you pull them back to safety from the other end. It can also be tiring trying to uphold a panicked and possibly exhausted person and that could lead to the loss of both your lives.
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u/dna_beggar Jun 23 '21
Always grab a pole or something for the victim to grab onto and keep you separated. Another tool is an empty bleach bottle and a long rope. Fill the bottle about 1/3 and cap it. Tie the rope to the handle. You can use it to toss the rope out without leaving shore.
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u/Chickenmangoboom Jun 23 '21
If you are an adult and don't know how to swim go learn no shame. If you have kids teach them as soon as you can. Swimming is one of those skills that doesn't seem important until you need it.
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u/scorchedneurotic Jun 23 '21
Laugh? 30 next week and never learned how to swim despite doctors recommendations to do so.
You're awesome dear 🥰
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u/SalonFormula Jun 23 '21
45 and planning to learn this year!
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u/Diagonet Jun 23 '21
That's awesome, hope you have fun. Personally I love swimming, thanks to the pandemic I haven't swam in so long...
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u/ragweed Jun 23 '21
That's not a question on the list at my doctor's office.
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u/solarsilversurfer Jun 23 '21
Right? Mine are all like “did you pee in the cup?” And I’m all, what does that have to do with swimming. And then we stare at each other for a bit.
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u/ipunkimunki Jun 23 '21
Questions are different from recommendations.
Doctors will often recommend swimming to people who are overweight as n exercise that won't put a lot of strain on their joints.
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u/Ganglar Jun 23 '21
I'm proper skinny but still got it recommended for shoulder pain. The physio said, you work at a computer, cycle, play guitar, and basically spend your whole life hunched. Swimming will loosen/open you up. Didn't much like it at first. That was 4 years ago. I still swim a couple of times a week if I can. I quite enjoy it now.
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u/boopingsnootisahoot Jun 23 '21
My grandfather learned at the ripe age of 70. Anyone who makes fun of you for learning late, you let me know and I’ll find them lol
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u/capecodder03 Jun 23 '21
Good on you!!!! Don’t listen to negative comments, you do what is best for you, congrats!!
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u/HugoZHackenbush2 Jun 23 '21
Sometimes it just deepends on the will power.
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u/ReputationJealous196 Jun 23 '21
I sea what you did there.
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u/REpassword Jun 23 '21
I didn’t, it washed right over me?
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u/OkArgument741 Jun 23 '21
I don't know water your talking about. It was a waley good joke!
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u/Orange_Hedgie Jun 23 '21
I honestly might just wave goodbye at this point
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u/ReputationJealous196 Jun 23 '21
Glad we're all pooling our water puns together. I can't fathom a better place for them
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u/Fun-Credit2287 Jun 23 '21
Who cares at what age we learn a skill?
Keep going! Keep learning!
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u/ksnell79 Jun 23 '21
Awesome job! My 25 year old sister needs to do this as well! It's such an important skill to have!
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
indeed water is scary and being stranded in the middle of a lake or an ocean is a super scary experience
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u/blitzen_the_first Jun 23 '21
Woah 😳 that’s horrifying.
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u/Silver907 Jun 23 '21
If that worries you think about this. My grandparents used to be commercial fisherman in Alaska for over 30 years. Went out into the great pacific ocean for 6-8 week trips. My grandmother was in her 60’s before she learned to swim... always said she didnt plan on getting in the water so why learn?....
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u/Maxibestofpotatoe Jun 23 '21
I've been working on a fishing boat in Australia, when i told the skipper i couldn't swim he said ''don't worry if you fall off the boat you'll be dead long before the drowning''
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u/FoxtrotSierraTango Jun 23 '21
Cave diving is a specialized form of scuba that requires a bunch of extra equipment/training. The warning sign posted at some entrances is pretty dramatic.
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u/hookydoo Jun 23 '21
A middle of a lake isn't so scary, The ocean is another story. Once my friend and I were jetskiing and I fell off the back without him noticing and I got left behind. He made it so away that I could barely see his spec in the distance, then the (my) ski died. I had to swim all the way across that lake to get to him so I could get it started again, and it took at least an hour to get there. 0/10 awful experience do not recommend. My biggest fear was getting runover by a boat the couldn't see me.
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u/tote981 Jun 23 '21
I’m 23 and don’t know how but I want to learn
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u/ksnell79 Jun 23 '21
The OP said he learned from watching YouTube tutorials! Never thought to do that but if you can't afford swim lessons it seems like a great option! Just make sure there's a lifeguard around! Good luck to you!
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u/jokersleuth Jun 23 '21
I learned from watching youtube videos.
My personal experience and recommendation -
Get swim goggles and earplugs, then once you get better you can practice without them. Practice in the shallow end first and orient yourself so that when you do the stroke you're going towards the shallow end and don't accidentally end up in the deep end. Practice breathing and keeping your head under water first, know the sensation of running out of breath in water.
Practice treading water. Even if you don't know how to swim treading water can be a good way to stay afloat in an emergency situation.
Stay near the walls at first so that you can grab on quickly
Practice proper breathing - in through mouth when out of water, and out through your nose underwater. I was surprised how difficult it was to breath out through my nose when underwater.
To make it a little easier get a pool noodle or floaties
Do calm and smooth motions. Smooth controlled motions will help your stroke better.
If you can afford it I highly recommend proper swim lessons. Public pools usually offer free lessons but because of Covid some are not. Check with your local pool. Check your local YMCAs, some have pools and offer swim lessons at discounted prices compared to private. There may also be other recreational centers in your area that offer swim lessons at a cheaper price, check with them too. Unfortunately due to time constraints, Covid restrictions, work, and other reasons I had to learn on my own time.
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u/mrofo Jun 23 '21
I’m SUPER proud of you, u/memesandkarma!! My ex is 30 and didn’t know how to swim or ride a bike yet. She just never had the opportunity or someone with enough patience to teach her. Sometimes the right elements don’t align right away.
I taught her what I could when she was feeling comfortable enough. She tried her best, and that’s what’s important. I’m so proud of her for trying.
There is no timeline but yours.
I’m so excited for the swimming adventures you have ahead of you!!
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u/GentleInconvenience Jun 23 '21
I’m 23 and still don’t know how to swim, I won’t go to a class out of pure embarrassment of being surrounded by young children, I know this was rough and you should be so proud!
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u/MakeItHomemade Jun 23 '21
Private classes.
Everyone starts as a beginner. Some progress faster than others, but even the greats- must learn to walk before they run.
Swimming is not only a fun activity , it can save your life.
Please find a place you feel comfortable taking lessons!
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u/soundoftherain Jun 23 '21
Try asking a friend who knows how to swim to teach you. I know someone who learned how to swim in their 30s. It takes a lot of guts to get in the water when you can't swim, I was really proud of him!
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u/svelle Jun 23 '21
Only do this in shallow water where the person who teaches you is able to swim. Non swimmers can panic and pull the swimmer down by accident. This is a common issue when saving drowning people.
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
you can learn by yourself like me
youtube videos are an amazing source like this one https://youtu.be/pFN2n7CRqhw
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u/Z1rith Jun 23 '21
being supervised by someone and starting in the shallow end is incredibly important, people's brains short circuit when they enter a confusing situation that they cant control and it's surprisingly easy to drown as they go on auto pilot and flail around until they die. it's a great way to understand how much we still need to evolve imo
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u/Sunnydoglover Jun 23 '21
You could look into personal classes at the Y if it’s too embarrassing for you, but we had a guy in my sons class and nobody cared
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u/ink_stained Jun 23 '21
I’d love to see a grownup in my kid’s class. Just go for it - swimming is so much fun. Or call the school and ask about adult classes - I bet they’ll be able to point you to some:
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u/kleptency Jun 23 '21
Just turned 24 and I only learned to ride a bike when I was 22, am learning to drive right now, and still don't know how to swim. I'm planning on taking lessons at the YMCA next summer. I'll be the oldest one there, but I've always wanted to swim so I'm not going to let a little embarrassment stop me!
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u/triskelizard Jun 23 '21
A couple of years ago I took a learn to swim class that was only for adults at my local rec center. I was incredibly impressed by the other people in the class; some of them were obviously very frightened to be in the water, to the extent that putting their faces in the water or trying to float on their backs was causing panicked breathing and needing to take a moment to gather the courage to try again. Our instructor was very kind and patient, and there was never a hint of teasing from anyone. In fact, the nearby high school’s varsity swim team practiced in the same pool, and I often ran into the kids of a few friends who were there for that purpose. The universal response was “I’m so impressed that you’re learning!” from both the kids and their parents.
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u/BullTerrierTerror Jun 23 '21
Nobody says you need deep water to learn how to swim.
Get in the shallow end of a pool and just start moving. Explore the space man, explore the space 🎶
Under supervision of course.
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u/kissingdistopia Jun 23 '21
Some places offer classes for adults! If you need a friend for support, bring a friend.
At some point not knowing how to swim is going to make you too nervous to enjoy an activity, or exclude you altogether.
Bonus: fun exercise
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u/NFG_Shoarma Jun 23 '21
Nice going, for many swimming lessons aren't as common. Be proud that you are always able to learn to swim, and it's never to late to learn new skills
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
i actually taught myself because there were no swimming lessons in my gym
youtube was a clutch in my learning process
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u/Roscoe_P_Trolltrain Jun 23 '21
That’s cool you taught yourself. If you ever get a chance to take a lesson or just get someone who is very experienced to give you some pointers, you should do that. Things like smoothly putting your hands in the water during freestyle crawl go a long ways towards efficiency. And if you look real smooth, people will look at you in awe.
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u/Tessellecta Jun 23 '21
When you're more comfortable with swimming I would also recommend trying out to swim in different types of clothing that you could be wearing. Swimming in clothes is a bit of a different experience and can feel really weird if you do it for the first time. Therefore practicing it in a safe environment can be a life saver.
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u/Beingabumner Jun 23 '21
Be sure to do it in shallow water or with someone around though, you never know.
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u/AshamedSell6603 Jun 23 '21
This right here. Swimming is an essential survival skill and swimming in a full set of clothes is an altogether entirely different experience. Practice where your feet can touch the bottom.
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u/Screamyy Jun 23 '21
Also don’t think that just because you can stand up in the water, you can’t drown. People have drowned in less than a foot of water before.
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u/catsnknish Jun 23 '21
100% I second this!! If you fall out of a boat, etc, you’ll likely have clothes on and that changes things. As a kid taking swimming lessons, we actually had a lesson we were fully clothed for — shoes and everything.
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u/sexxxxi_boi Jun 23 '21
Congrats! but why are you swimming in pants
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
i bought these from the gym equipment store and they were specifically marketed as swimming shorts🤷
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u/AcerbicUserName Jun 23 '21
I had the same thought, great job on learning a new skill but you need some proper swim trunks. Swimming in pants is just going to cause drag and weigh you down. If your not comfortable with tight swim shorts you can buy the loose board short type but ideally they should be light material and at least a few inches above your knee.
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u/SwimnGinger- Jun 23 '21
Hey! Swimming teacher/lifeguard here and just gotta say: you are doing amazing!!!!
I don’t think you fully realise how HARD it is for the body to learn to start swimming the older you get. It is as much a mental fight as it is a physical one and you’ve done incredible! Well done, this is an awesome achievement and one you should be damn proud of.
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u/mascomptonsfinest Jun 23 '21
Mate I grew up in the water, taught kids to swim as a job for years. It’s never too late to learn, and your life will be immeasurably better for you having taken the leap (or dive)
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u/Sigusen Jun 23 '21
Cornell university has (had?) Swimming as a requirement for graduation. This was because the schools founder had a friend that drowned when they were swimming due to insufficient swimming experience. Not being able to swim is far more common than most people realize.
Good on ya, OP! Keep it up!
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u/it_is_impossible Jun 23 '21
Well I’ve been swimming since I was a kid and if I try and wear a snorkel I’ll drown, so you’ve got that going for you, which is nice!
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u/taytayhatton Jun 23 '21
I’m proud of you!
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u/memesandkarma Jun 23 '21
thanks i was scared of the negative comments but you guy's warmed my heart 😊
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u/blakemorris02 Jun 23 '21
Anybody who would negatively comment you for doing this is a loser, so pay no attention. You should be proud of this. Well done!
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u/scorpiosmoccasins Jun 23 '21
Good work. It's a life skill. Here's a helpful hint for water safety no one asked for:
If you find yourself needing to stay afloat but getting tired, go on your back or upright (like treading water) and focus on keeping your head back. Don't worry about motions with your arms and legs
Tilt your head back so far that you worry about getting water in your eyes and nose and you will float with minimal effort. Head all the way back (looking straight to the sky) you'll float.... you'll naturally want to move your arms and legs around but you'll realize you do not need to use much energy for your limbs
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u/Fakesmiles1000 Jun 23 '21
Mostly true, although people with a low body fat% will tend to sink still. Just need to be sure to kick every so often to stop your feet from going down. It also may help to put your arms over your head to balance out the weight.
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u/Beingabumner Jun 23 '21
Well done! The only thing I would recommend is working on your leg movement. It's not that important in the context of 'not drowning' but if you use your legs more, it will help with speed.
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u/Complete-Resolution8 Jun 23 '21
You are doing great. Age doesn’t matter …I am in my early 30s and still need to learn this. Signed up myself last year for lessons and then covid happened. One of the things on my to do list for this year.
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u/Agreeable_Ad9499 Jun 23 '21
I am happy and proud for you, I am an adult that still can't swim. There are no limits on age when you can learn stuff! Cheers!
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u/sUcK_A-Duck Jun 23 '21
Many who? Dude I still don't know how to swim and idk what I'm gonna do if I ever fall into a river or something. Great accomplishment!
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u/BreannaMcAwesome Jun 23 '21
You have nothing to be ashamed of!!! I learned to swim at 14 (the most I could do before that was a crude doggy paddle). Water can be scary, but you should be proud of yourself for all that you've accomplished!!
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u/throwawaytrumper Jun 23 '21
When I was a little kid (about 6) I paddled a log out into a lake with my older brother. The log was old and rotten and gradually became waterlogged and sank while we were far from the shore. Before that day I had briefly doggy paddled and my brother could swim underwater, after that day we could both swim. Turns out when “or die” is the option kids learn quickly. I drank half the lake learning, though.
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u/Jsmokel Jun 23 '21
Lol what a loser for bettering himself look guys this guy is trying..... joking if you did not catch it
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u/Sungdaein_susanoo Jun 23 '21
Bro, I’m literally in the same situation as you right now dayum! I just started to learn how to swim this year and it is a relaxing time when you know how to swim i gotta say
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u/Shadow-McTavish Jun 23 '21
Nothing to laugh at. You learned a new skill, and an important one at that. Go you! This is so awesome.
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u/HaZard3ur Jun 23 '21
Good for you… I learned it in elementary school… nowadays swimming is no longer part of sport in school and year after year the news about drowned kids and young adults rise. We raising a generation of non-swimmers as parents dont seem to care either…
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u/jr8787 Jun 23 '21
Pft. I’m in my 30s and I go to the pool and beach all the time.
I can’t swim. I can tread water but I am quick to drown… so no shame in starting late. You seem like you got a better handle on swimming than me!
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u/ApeExcavation Jun 23 '21
If they wanna laugh, they're not people.. They're assholes shaped like people bruh. You do you! It fucking rocks that you learned at all! You're never too old to learn something new. As long as you don't feel like the sun has set upon your ability, keep striving to be better and learn more🤙
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u/Adiru55 Jun 23 '21
As a Scout Master you would be surprised at the number of boys in their late teens that I have had to teach to swim. Congratulations on pushing yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone! Bravo!!
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u/BiscottiIll2430 Jun 23 '21
Honestly that is the best. I am 46, still learning. Growing up my dad was deathly afraid of water, so we never learned. Keep working, yay!!!
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u/ntn37 Jun 23 '21
dude, I took my motorcycle driving license at 28, you're never too old to do anything, not 19, not 28 or 80
enjoy your new hobby! it's a lot of fun
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u/rndragon77 Jun 23 '21
God job!! It’s never to late to learn something new. Life is about challenges and overcoming them. I don’t know you personally but I’m proud of you.
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u/spandex_manufactuer Jun 23 '21
Doesn't matter if you're late man, I learned at 19 as well. It only matters that you did it, congrats.
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u/hedgecore77 Jun 23 '21
That's great!
What was it like getting into a body of water that big, did the buoyancy or difficulty moving your limbs freak you out?
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u/19Onan91 Jun 23 '21
What did you drink before learning to swim? /s
Also congrats! Doesn't matter if you learned it at a "late" stage, you accomplished what you set yourself and this is something to celebrate rather to be ashamed of.
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u/marccoogs Jun 23 '21
I'm 35, I never learned, and I am kind of ashamed of it. So you learning at 19 is not bad at all. I wish I could have learned at your age.
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u/ViggoMiles Jun 23 '21
That's some bad swimming, but still swimming!
Good on ya, be safe when you go out and enjoy snorkeling at a beach. Like avoiding being towed out, because even a good swimmer can become over-exhausted without knowing.
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u/It_is_I_the_1 Jun 23 '21
You have many more thing to learn during your lifetime, don't ever be embarrassed at what you learn at what age. Just don't stop learning 👍👏
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u/ALittlePoetic Jun 23 '21
Congratulations on learning how to swim, it's such an important skill to have which will help you enjoy other experiences with more confidence and maybe open the door to other aquatic or related skills.
Don't worry, many people learn it later in life and learning a skill is always something you can be proud about, never let anyone tell you differently; putting yourself out there, setting yourself up to make mistakes and learn from them is incredibly brave. Thank you for sharing and inspriring me to continue learning new skills as well :)
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u/[deleted] Jun 23 '21
“Drank a lot of water”…
Extremely accurate description of learning to swim. 😆
Congrats, have fun, and enjoy the pick-stuff-up-off-the-pool-bottom phase, it’s one of the most fun and you only get that one once. I’m jealous.
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u/AzoriumLupum Jun 23 '21
I didnt learn until I was 25 so 19 isn't that late. Congrats on the new skill!
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u/UsernameLottery Jun 23 '21
Dude congrats! Taking care of your body is worth celebrating itself, but learning something new by choice is also incredible
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u/XJoeyP Jun 23 '21
Never too late to learn who knows this skill may save your life or someone else’s life
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u/Obstacle616 Jun 23 '21
Nothing to laugh at here. It's awesome you went and learnt. Personally I find something about swimming incredibly relaxing and would definitely be missing out if I didn't know how so even if you were 70 I'd be saying to try learn.
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u/[deleted] Jun 23 '21
What is the meaning of at this age, I am 24 and I still cant swim
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u/Nunyazbznz Jun 23 '21
Good job on learning how to swim. Water is scary and it's amazing for you to decide at 19 to get in the pool and learn how to do it.
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u/CreatorCaz Jun 23 '21
Well done!!! Being able to swim is essential. That will save you or someone else's life someday!
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u/danirojaaaaas Jun 23 '21
Good for you my friend. You don’t learn until you try, the trying part just comes later for some people. If you didn’t have a reason to swim before this, then why the fuck would you learn how to swim? Fuck the negative comments. I’m proud of you.
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u/Mysterious_Lion6207 Jun 23 '21
Congrats!! You are never too old to learn to swim. Good on you for doing it
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u/New_Insect_Overlords Jun 23 '21
You’ve just unlocked 75% of the earth’s surface!