What if you don’t know how to swim?

I recently received an email from someone who has a race in 2 months (.23 miles), and is just starting to learn how to swim now for the first time.

First, I love this! I think it’s an awesome, admirable goal to set out to do this.

Can it be done? Yes, I believe this is in the realm of possibility. But it will be anything but easy.

The future swimmer asked me how to get comfortable in the water.

My answer is below:

“Getting comfortable in the water is about breathing.

One of the things to start with is simply holding your breath underwater. Start with just 10 seconds with your face in the water and looking at the bottom of the pool with goggles on.

Then move up little by little, until you are doing about a minute or so. Then start to go deeper in the water, until you can get to the bottom of the shallow end, and hold your breath at the bottom of the pool (starting with just 10 seconds).

This will help your brain adjust to being submerged in the water but being perfectly safe.Do this in addition to your lessons.

Don’t be afraid to wear fins (Zoomers are best) at this stage.

You can take them off later, but the important thing for now is body awareness, balance, and position in the water.”

Are you too new to swimming? What has been your biggest challenge? What has helped you the most?

We’d love to hear from you!

 

P.S. BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE SWIM PLANS
Our Tri Swim Success program has workouts, training videos, and open water swim guidance geared towards YOUR level, so that you can be fully ready for your next race. Get full access to the Tri Swim Coach members and coaches by joining our Tri Swim Success program here.

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