How to Swim

Guidelines for Beginners Learning to Swim



Non-swimmers wanting to learn how to swim will arrive on the poolside in all different shapes, sizes and ages. Some will come with courage and confidence built in, many others will have a genuine fear of water and be scared witless! Does this sound familiar? Read on...



Do you have a burning desire to learn how to swim? Swimming is arguably one of the most complete forms of exercise as it exercises all of the major muscle groups in the body as well as the cardio respiratory system.

Swimming provides no impact on the major joints in the body and therefore can be safe for most of us do. Most of us that can swim that is! If you are one of those that cannot swim, you probably feel like you're missing out on something that it seems everyone else around you can do.

For some, arriving on the poolside for a swimming lesson will be a major achievement in itself and the first hurdle to get over is actually entering the water , and there are several ways of doing this.

Next it to understand your buoyancy and your own ability to float only then will you begin to relax and appreciate the water.

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Learning to deal with getting your face wet and building up to partial and total submersion and holding your breath is the next step, and for some can be the most daunting. Once again, learning to deal with a wet face and partial submersion will only help to relax you. Relaxation during swimming is vital and combining floatation and submersion together and you will be well on the way to swimming. What you do with your arms and legs is the easy part!



Regaining a standing position from a prone or supine position is an important step to gaining confidence. When you are moving through the water, as long as you are within your depth, you will have the confidence to know you can stop and regain a standing position whenever you need to. Confidence growing all the time here.


'The water is your friend...you don't have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move.'

Alexandr Popov - Olympic Swimming Gold Medallist

Quote provided by 'Inspirational Quotes and Quotations'.




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What Other Visitors Have Asked and Told Us

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