How Old Were You When You Learned to Swim?

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How Old Were You When You Learned to Swim?

May 26, 2008

When I was growing up the swim club where I learned to swim opened Memorial Day weekend. There was lots of fanfare and ice cream cones. I began taking swim lessons early, once I overcame my deep fear of water (I thought sharks could live in pools – I was 3-years old and quite irrational). Now, I love swimming and count it as one of my favorite forms of cardio.

In my nostalgic mood, I was wondering . . .

Source

Poll Swimming

66 Comments

jaymfab 4 years 24 weeks

Research shows that children who don't learn to swim by the 4th grade, likely never will.

BalooB 4 years 50 weeks

I started swimming really young. Before I was 2, I could swim well. I was competing by the time I was 6. My mum can't swim though... although we tried to teach her- even with floaties!

Carib Chic 4 years 51 weeks

I learnt to swim when I was 2/3. I'm from the Caribbean and didn't live that far from the beach. If you live on a island you are going to learn at a young age since it's literally all around you.

JaimeLeah526 4 years 51 weeks

I was always a fish when I was a kid. There was no way I'd be stuck on shore when my family members were all swimming.

saraswords 4 years 51 weeks

I love swimming! I went to a day camp that had a "free swim" period where you could play in the pool and then an "instructional swim" period later in the day where they taught you how to swim. I started going there when I was 3. I went back every summer and my last two years there I worked as a lifeguard and taught other little kids to swim.

brielleblonde 4 years 51 weeks

wow i learned to swim before i could walk. I think its so much better for kids to learn about water and not be afraid of it. plus if i ever "fell in" i would know how to lay on my back and float without getting tired so i wouldn't drown.

nopenope 4 years 51 weeks

I was first taught to swim by my mom when I was a baby, as she was a lifeguard. I recently heard a story about me taking my first "official" swim classes when I was two or three and how stubborn I was. My mom said I didn't like that I had to take a class since I already knew, so every day she'd take me to class and I'd sit on the side of the pool. It took about two weeks for me to finally give up, and the instructor that entire time kept asking if my mom wanted a refund and she was adament that I just needed to get over being stubborn, haha. I don't like being forced to do things, even if it's something that I love :P When we moved to California from Illinois at 5, I took some swim classes here and had to start out with my age group... which was blowing bubbles and putting our heads under the water. I had to keep moving to different classes and by the end of the day I was on the other side of the pool wall in the deep end with the 5th graders. :)

nopenope 4 years 51 weeks

I was first taught to swim by my mom when I was a baby, as she was a lifeguard.I recently heard a story about me taking my first "official" swim classes when I was two or three and how stubborn I was. My mom said I didn't like that I had to take a class since I already knew, so every day she'd take me to class and I'd sit on the side of the pool. It took about two weeks for me to finally give up, and the instructor that entire time kept asking if my mom wanted a refund and she was adament that I just needed to get over being stubborn, haha. I don't like being forced to do things, even if it's something that I love :PWhen we moved to California from Illinois at 5, I took some swim classes here and had to start out with my age group... which was blowing bubbles and putting our heads under the water. I had to keep moving to different classes and by the end of the day I was on the other side of the pool wall in the deep end with the 5th graders. :)

Nightwind 4 years 51 weeks

Tried a few swim classes in my youth. It never stuck. I pretty much learned in High School gym class, our school had a pool.

Nightwind 4 years 51 weeks

Tried a few swim classes in my youth. It never stuck. I pretty much learned in High School gym class, our school had a pool.

sharshar 4 years 51 weeks

I quickly learned how to float and breathe underwater under age 10, but I learned how to do freestyles correctly in college. I'm so glad my arm work has gotten better.

cereal_please 4 years 51 weeks

My mom had me in swimming lessons from 1st grade to 6th. I skipped a year and was always taller than the other kids, so by the time I got to 5th grade, I hated it because all the other kids looked like munchkins compared to me. I managed to get out of it for the rest of my life when I got my period. I'd say I'm an average swimmer and that's good enough for me.

minhoca 4 years 51 weeks

wow, im in the huge minority here.. i didn't learn til i was about 22. I learned to float as a kid, and move around.. but that was about it. I decided to take swimming classes my senior yr in college and suprisingly, learned very quickly. have loved it ever since!

AMP 4 years 51 weeks

my mom had me in the pool with her at 6 mos. I think I took individual lessons around 5 though.

hottpink 4 years 51 weeks

About 1 1/2....I did the Mom Baby swim program at the Y!

svenska 4 years 51 weeks

Like a lot of other commenters I can't remember ever not being able to swim. I was born in San Diego, so my parents were taking me into the ocean when I was a baby, but the story on how I learned to swim goes I was 2 and my 4 yr old brother was swimming in our pool and the nannies weren't paying attention fully and I just jumped into the deep end because I wanted to be like my brother and before anybody could jump in and get me I had swam back up to the top and was baby/doggy paddling a little and laughing my head off. Then I took proper lesson around 2 1/2 or 3 years old and started swim team at 6.

brantsmama 4 years 51 weeks

I learned at 2, my brother learned at 2 and My son learned around his second birthday also! I do think its a good idea to start kids young especially if you have a pool in the backyard (like we do).. It's even a good idea if you don't have a pool.. :)

freegracefrom 4 years 51 weeks

I think I was 4 or 5? At the end of my lessons, I jumped off the tallest diving board into the deep end of the community pool. I'll never forget looking up at the top from the bottom of a 13' deep end - it looked like it was miles away. I felt so badass for surviving that, haha.

ella1978 4 years 51 weeks

My mom took me for lessons at 4.. I couldn't get it at all. Then she threw me in the pool at 6, and I taught myself. Lot of watching swimming during the olympics, and had a trainer at 12. I was good, but it freaked me out. So I quit competitve swimming. Now, 17 years later, I'm trying to get back in swimming shape... whew.. what a difference. I've only played in the water since then, hard to get those lungs back in shape. I was in the pool on Friday, I LOVE the water!

Renees3 4 years 51 weeks

I took lessons as a child but can't swim currently. I can doggy paddle from one end to the other, but not for long. I don't really like being in the water a whole lot

lindaloo 4 years 51 weeks

I was a fish growing up. Early swim team practice, then regular practice, then lessons and then my Mom would come to the pool when it opened and bring lunch. We would spend all day there. Love it. Still my favorite form of cardio and I sleep so great afterwards!

lady-T 4 years 51 weeks

i live on an island in the MEd so knowing how to swim is a MUST..i cant wait for june 9th ...my exams are finsihed and im celebrating by going to the beach with friends..dont know f ill swim cause the water wiill be freezing but !! ..

Allytta 4 years 51 weeks

you should have said relearned how to swim, as we are all born knowing it, just have no fear ;) but i'm sure you know it.

sfprgirl 4 years 51 weeks

With a fomer lifegaurd for a father, we swam in diapers before we could even walk.:)

Deadly Lemur 4 years 51 weeks

Toddler age, my family always had a pool so it was a normal part of life. I also had fears of sharks being in the pool, especially when I was alone. Which was a lot, as an only child on a rural road. Usually I could push it aside, put there were a few times I kinda freaked and jumped out. Man, I loved diving for pennies, that was the best.

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66 Comments

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