Do my bending knees make me sink?
Do my bending knees make me sink when swimming? I've had two lessons of swimming so far and I cant seem to propel my body forwards while swimming face down and after a while I sink. Observers say this is because I bend my knees and I cant seem to stop this. Also after a couple of metres from the pool wall I feel that my feet dont break the surface and therefore I start sinking. I'm not athletic and cant raise my entire leg horizontal for long. Do you have any advice for me to get better?
From the information you have given us we will assume you attempting to swim a freestyle type stroke rather than breaststroke. This type of leg kick must be relaxed with only a slight knee bend. If your leg kick is rigid or robotic in any way then sinking legs will be the result!
With all adult beginners to swimming the key is to feel your way through the water, not fight it. Sometimes swimming in a very relaxed slow motion without attempting to get anywhere will give you a better feel for the water, a better understanding of your own buoyancy and result in you moving without you really trying. You can start off with a push away from the pool wall to give you some momentum to start, but even then still only swim slowly so as to feel your way. When you get used to this feeling only then can you add your own power to maintain your momentum.
If a lack of flexibility in your legs is an issue that prevents you from straightening them sufficiently then maybe consider learning breaststroke. The success rate of adults learning to swim using breaststroke is far greater than that of freestyle. This is because breaststroke is slower, more relaxing and requires less effort.
You will find a basic guide to swimming breaststroke by clicking here.
If you are determined to pursue freestyle then you may want to consider wearing some fins on your feet. They will help your propulsion and leg kick technique, but be warned they must be only temporary. Do not become reliant on then.
Hope this all helps. Good luck.
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