Swimming is for everyone, but not everyone knows how to swim. Learn how to swim through these tips for beginners.
Don’t fear drowning.
Drowning does occur, but most instances can be prevented by simple safety measures.
- Always go with a swimming buddy (or buddies). They can remind you of what you need to do and can point out where you’re making good progress with your swimming technique.
- Don't start swimming in moving water.
- Don't venture into water that's too deep for you to stand in.
- Avoid swimming during inclement weather conditions.
- Don't swim in cold water because moving your limbs can be difficult.
Don't panic.
Always remember that there’s a room for mistakes, since you’re a beginner. You can do something if you're in an unmanageable depth or you can't just move your limbs. Don't flap around or start breathing quickly if you can't swim. Simply lie back as flat as you can, and let the water carry you while you regain your composure.
Exhale underwater.
When you're still in a shallow depth, take a deep breath and put your face underwater. Slowly exhale through your nose until you're out of breath, then come back up. If you're not comfortable exhaling through your nose, you can hold it closed, or wear a nose plug and exhale through your mouth.
Kick your legs.
Practice using a kickboard to see how far each kick you can do. Through this, you can focus on your kicking technique without worrying about keeping your head above the water. You can try a flutter kick, whip kick or eggbeater kick.
Practice floating.
Hold on to the side of the pool or a dock, and let your legs float out behind you. Try floating on your back or stomach as soon as you're ready. Stay in a shallow depth so you can just stand up if it doesn’t work out. For extra stability, put out your arms at a right angle so that your body is in a T-shape.
Tread water.
Treading water helps you catch your breath and keep your head up without really swimming. Do the eggbeater kick and use your hands to keep your balance by paddling. Move one arm in a clockwise circle and the other arm in a counterclockwise circle.
Wear goggles.
Wearing goggles can help you feel more comfortable as you open your eyes underwater and allow you to see more clearly. Tighten the strap around the back of your head so your goggles fit securely.
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