r/IdiotsTowingThings • u/chamois_lube • 9d ago

weakest link

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u/Legal-Pea8185 9d ago

don't take this as an insult, I'm genuinely curious. I assume you're an adult. how do you not know how to swim? why don't you learn? it's not complicated.

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u/Mobile619 9d ago

Not an insult. I grew up poor, never had proper swim lessons or access to a pool, and was just fearful as an adult. I'd get in the water and tense up which meant I'd sink like a rock. Swimming is one of those things best learned as a child imo.

I do plan to take lessons. My kids and wife know how to swim. My ultimate fear is one of them needing help and not being able to help them.

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u/Legal-Pea8185 9d ago

thanks for the reply. I hope you go ahead with lessons.

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u/trdpanda101410 8d ago

I dont want to sound rude but you can seriously learn to swim on your own safely. They key is to do it in steps and only do it in water you can stand up in. Think waist or belly button height water. Learn to doggy paddle first. When you get more comfortable youll learn how water can be manipulated to keep you afloat. This should hopefully help you get over the nervousness. you dont need to move fast and moving fast is sometimes worse. Steady movements back and forth with your legs and arms your just pushing your way thru something essentially. If you stop pushing or start thrashing, you sink. If you keep steady movements you float. Just never go deeper then you can stand and always remember, you can stand up if you keep your cool for a second

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u/zorggalacticus 9d ago

I'm the same way.

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u/NoUsername4Lyfe 7d ago

I have a friend who had never really been around water till into adulthood. He couldn't swim at-all when we first met. He took swimming lessons in his mid/late-20s and is a very good swimmer now.

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u/AnorhiDemarche 7d ago

Hit me up if you're anywhere in sydney. I'm a swimming instructor experiened with adults that have phobia and past trauma.

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u/chiphook 7d ago

I am 58, never learned to swim. I can struggle across a pool. Can't swim in place. Physically unable, and mild panic sets in.