Embarking on the journey to become a proficient swimmer as an adult can be both exciting and challenging. If you’ve taken lessons and put in the practice but find yourself still struggling to swim, it’s essential to identify potential roadblocks hindering your progress. In this blog, we’ll explore the top five reasons why you might not be swimming yet and provide actionable solutions to overcome these obstacles.
1. Developing Skills in the Wrong Order:
One common stumbling block for adult swimmers is learning and developing skills in the wrong order. To build a solid foundation, it’s crucial to follow a structured progression. Begin by mastering the basics, such as exhaling underwater and floating on your stomach and back. Progress to kicking with proper technique, then focus on arm movements and, finally, practice rhythmic breathing. This sequential approach ensures a smoother learning curve and improved overall performance.
2. Breathing at the Wrong Time:
Establishing a rhythmic breathing pattern is paramount for successful swimming. Avoid holding your breath and instead focus on exhaling underwater and inhaling above water. Timing is crucial, particularly in strokes like freestyle and breaststroke. Coordinate your breathing with your arm movements to enhance efficiency and stamina. In freestyle, you need to turn to breathe as your arm pulls backward, not after your arm is already behind you. In breaststroke you need to come up to breathe as your hands come apart in the front, don’t wait until they are back by your chest. This simple adjustment can significantly impact your swimming experience.
3. Poor Conditioning:
Merely mastering the technical aspects of swimming is not enough; endurance training is equally vital. Many adults mistake their lack of endurance for an inability to swim. To overcome this, as soon as you learn to kick, start kicking laps on the kick board every time you’re in the pool. By the time you learn all the other swimming skills, your endurance will match your advanced skill set and allow you to show off all your new strokes! Increasing your endurance will enable you to swim longer distances without feeling fatigued, ultimately boosting your confidence in the water.
4. Eyes Closed Underwater:
Wear goggles and open your eyes under water. Your body will feel safer, you’ll breathe easier, last longer, focus better, and be able to relax while you swim. Seeing underwater offers a sense of security, allowing you to enjoy the experience and improve your swimming skills unhindered.
5. Inefficient Kicking Technique:
If your freestyle or backstroke kick lacks power or feels exhausting, consider incorporating fins into your training regimen. Fins help improve your kicking technique, providing added propulsion and efficiency. This not only strengthens your leg muscles but also contributes to enhanced endurance. Plus, the enjoyment of using fins can make swim training more exciting and motivate you to look forward to your sessions.
Becoming a proficient adult swimmer requires patience, dedication, and a strategic approach. By addressing these five common obstacles – developing skills in the wrong order, establishing rhythmic breathing, improving conditioning, opening your eyes underwater, and refining your kick – you can overcome challenges and progress towards confidently swimming across the pool. Embrace the learning process, stay committed to your training, and watch as your swimming abilities flourish.