Tuesday, February 15, 2011

TICK! – Overcoming the fear of putting my face in the water

I am officially going to tick this box today. Yay! This really excites me. J 
I stopped putting my face in the water before I was a teenager because of the horrendous water up my nose sensation I experienced every time I tried to do it. But now, a couple of decades on, and with the help of bubbles, I can do it relatively calmly and comfortably without getting water up my nose.
Last week was the first time I had put my face in the water outside of the swimming lesson and today was the second time. The first time was mostly all about just getting used to doing it outside of the lesson. Today though, I focused on relaxing whilst I was in the water and going under in different ways (eg: gliding under water, whilst on the kick board, with goggles, without goggles) in a calmer more comfortable way instead of drawing in big breaths and blowing bubbles in a furious, desperate, slightly panicked way.  And it was paying off.
I’m so glad to say that I am getting to the point where I am really really enjoying being in the water.
Who’d have thought??!!! J

2 comments:

  1. Aquamille, your a champion! You have hit on the single most important point with adults learning to swim. The first step is to get over the fear of being underwater. With kids we play all sorts of silly games, diving for toys etc. and take months/years to get them comfortable. At the beach I get the nippers (kids) to look for fish and dive for sand.

    Adults should be exactly the same. Have fun with it. Dive underwater and look around. See if you can pick out the best set of legs or something like that.

    The beach is great for this because there is often so much more to see. Waves only break on the surface so it is very easy bob under them. With goggles on you can even watch the wave roll over the top of you. Remember always swim between the flags, no flags = no swim.

    Once you get comfortable in the water you stop using all your energy in fear of drowning and you can start using it to learn to swim.

    Great work. Practice, Practice, Practice!

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  2. Hi again Adam,

    Thanks so much for your support and tips. I feel like I have a virtual coach! Much appreciated. :)

    Aquamillie

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