When does learning to swim become a chore rather than a necessity? In an island country, why is knowledge of international sports colours more highly valued than swim survival and rescue skills when instating new citizens? Whatever the answer, we at Just Add Water Swimming believe that EVERYONE should learn to swim, even if only how to stay afloat and basic knowledge of what to do in an emergency. The issue with adults is that if they missed the mainstream boat of swimming lessons as a child (often with school), they can have any number of reasons that get in the way. We endeavour to push past these.
The above men are a team known as the 360 squad, because their ages total 360, and together they swim relays! Another senior, a woman of 75 in 2014, began swimming lessons after watching her grandson at lessons. If these remarkable people can do it, you definitely can too! Swimming, unlike other sports, has a low impact on the body and has a range of benefits on top of fitness and survival skills, so it’s absolutely worth the effort.
Above all, however, there is a need for lifesavers; maybe you will be your own, maybe you will be your child’s, maybe you’ll be a stranger’s – but whatever the case, your actions, guided by tried and true swimming knowledge, will have a good impact on those around you. Yes, this is regardless of age! Adults, having a better understanding of their limitations and possible dangers, may not be as susceptible to accidental drowning, but this doesn’t mean an unaware adult cannot.
A good starting point is to first gain a sense of stability and safety in water, and from there building up confidence with your head under water, and then moving in the water to get a sense of how kicking, wading and floating should feel. Just because you may not have been given the opportunity to swim as a child does not mean you should in any way be ashamed to take lessons, for everyone has different life experiences that will be foreign to others.
Some extra pointers are to get yourself some good quality getup, including a good set of goggles and some strong bathers. Also, a lot of small practices are better than far between and extensive ones. And of course, the old mantra, practice makes perfect! Don’t be embarrassed to use the equipment available to you either, because things like kickboards and snorkels will help smooth out the learning process. Maybe find someone else looking to learn and join forces, making your journey a sociable one in which you can encourage each other.
You may not, of course, have to start from the very beginning if you are simply a weak swimmer due to being out of practice, and you would not be alone here either. Improvement is always a good idea. If you can already swim decently, there is always room for improvement! The Bronze Medallion is a certification that allows you to teach others to swim, and the later swim stages are thorough swim survival courses including D.R.S.A.B.C.D. (Danger, Response, Send for help, Airways, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillator).
Perhaps, you feel you can avoid trouble by avoiding the problem – water. But we humans use water everyday for cleaning, cooking and bathing, and it surrounds Australia and the rest of the world’s continents, so there is little escaping it. We understand that you may have a genuine fear of the water, but if this is the case, you can find support in swimming instructors’ knowledge and patience, and take heart knowing that you don’t have to be a champion swimmer to be able to save a life, or to keep yourself safe.
Who knows? You might come to love it as much as we do, and find your inner fish! As mentioned, the benefits are extensive for all ages, but especially for toddlers/babies, which you can read about here soon!
Written by: Maggie Stuurstraat
