Swim With Head Above The Water

I would like to know which swimming techniques one could use to swim with head above the water.
I am learning to swim but all the techniques offered involve head under water positions, and coming up to breath. i am on lesson four of eight lessons.
I can do free-style and struggle with doggie paddle.
i want to swim because i am now in a country where there are hotels and pools every where and the most common social situation is to be at a pool. when I am with friends it is embarrassing because i cannot swim.
Also, I want to be able to just be in the water like they are without sinking... I cannot be with my head under water all the time when I am with them!!!
Of course,I want to swim for myself, not them. I tried to learn in my twenties but I was not consistent. Now I am 31 and want to get it right once and for all.

I have met many people like you over the years and your desire is not uncommon. When beginners learn to swim, particularly adults, it can be very black and white when it comes to putting their face in the water or submerging. Either they are comfortable doing it or they are not!

The fact that you are having swimming lessons tells me that you have tried it and the fact you can do freestyle tells me that you have been successful at it.


However you have clearly made the choice that swimming with your face submerged is not for you.

The swimming stroke you need to learn is breaststroke. Although nearly all breaststroke swimming guides (including mine) will teach you to swim the stroke with your face submerged between breaths, it does not mean you have to swim it this way.

Once you have mastered the leg kick, the arm action and the timing and coordination, you will easily be able to swim with your head above the water.

A powerful leg kick action and a relaxed glide will let you swim relatively long distances without needing to put your face or head into the water.

Relaxing into the technique takes time and practice but from what you have stated in your question it sounds like you are half way there already.

My best-selling book 'The Complete Guide to Swimming Breaststroke' contains over 20 separate swimming exercises to help all parts of breaststroke, including the leg kick and the timing and coordination. You can download it, print out the parts you need and take them to your pool to try out. Click the link below for more information.

I hope you find this information helpful and I wish you every success with your swimming.

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