Last week, I went swimming with my daughter, which was as special as it always is.
We were both laughing, splashing and having fun together. I value this time with her above any other because it never used to be possible for me.
See, until last year, I was terrified of the water.
But, since learning how to swim at the age 45, it has done wonders for both my mental and physical health.
Back when I was a child, my first memory of swimming was being worried and anxious before I even got into the pool. When I did get in, I couldn’t relax, and found myself swallowing water. I couldn’t breathe, and my body panicked.
I was terrified.
From that day, I had a very bad relationship with being in the water. I refused swimming lessons as a child, and put off going back in for a long time
I avoided swimming altogether, which meant not going in the sea on holidays, and not being able to go into the pool.
I wasn’t sure if learning at my age would be possible for someone with a phobia like mine
I genuinely believed that I was incompetent in the water, that I would be risking my safety, and it was enough to dismiss the idea of being able to swim.
And as I got older, I thought I’d missed my chance to learn sufficiently, so had given up.
But when I first brought my daughter to the pool to start swimming lessons last year, she was the one that inspired me to get into the water. I was more scared of the prospect of not being able to spend time with her than I was of any risks to my safety.
I knew that it was essential for her to learn, despite me not being able to, because everyone who I knew that could swim always talked about it so positively. That, and I’d never want to prevent her from achieving something – even if I was scared.
I can remember realising that, if I avoided going into the pool with my daughter, I was holding her back with my own fears.
I knew then that I needed to take lessons – for her sake, if anything.
I spoke to my local pool and signed myself up for a course of lessons specifically tailored for adult learners. They were taken in a group so we could support each other.
There were doubts in my mind, of course. The initial fear was there, and I wasn’t sure if learning at my age would be possible for someone with a phobia like mine.
Before my first lesson, I felt nervous and a little out of place.
I didn’t like the water at all, as I recalled those earlier memories of feeling unsafe, but my instructor helped.
She got in with me, supported me physically where I needed it, and worked on different skills with me one at a time.
At first it was just getting comfortable, putting my face into the water, kicking my legs, and swimming on my front, and then on my back.
It did take a little while for me to feel fully confident, at least a few weeks of doing lessons one evening a week, but that’s what swim teachers are there for.
As I started to grow in confidence, and see that I could actually correct my positioning myself, I felt so proud. I’d already achieved beyond my expectations.
Now, I genuinely love being in the pool.
I am proud that I have progressed so much, and the relationship I have with water has been transformed.
I have gone from thinking that swimming lessons weren’t for me – perhaps thinking subconsciously that they weren’t for adults at all – to someone who relishes them and values them so highly.
They have transformed my wellbeing, and it has done so much for me socially, mentally, and physically.
I find myself more confident in everyday life, and physically I feel more alert, healthier, and happier.
Most importantly, I feel entirely confident and happy with my daughter in the pool, and we swim together every week or so. Her lessons are going well, and it’s something we can now share together and practice in a fun way as a family.
I can probably swim 10 metres now, which is something I’m really proud of. I’m working towards being able to swim a full length unaided.
Research says that more than half of adults feel like it’s intimidating to learn to swim at their age. There’s definitely a stigma there – but it really shouldn’t get in the way.
I think it’s because, like me, you wouldn’t know what an adult lesson is like until you attend one – you might imagine it’s scary or embarrassing, but it couldn’t be more welcoming.
I had my first ever introduction to swimming lessons at 45, and there’s no reason why anyone should put it off, or think, because they’re a certain age or ability level, that they can’t or shouldn’t learn.
I would urge anyone to just go for it! There’s no restriction on who lessons are for, and everyone should feel empowered to go to their local pool and start their journey.
Now, I go swimming at least once a week and I look forward to it so much. When I’m coming out of work stressed, half an hour in the water gives me so much relief. I can let go of my worries, and it’s a real therapy for me.
My own experience has taught me that even if you’re nervous, or you’ve not had that experience before, it’s absolutely OK to learn to swim as an adult.
Now is the time to dive in, and take the plunge.
To sign up to lessons at your local pool, visit swimming.org/loveswimming
Age is Just a Number
Welcome to Age is Just a Number, a Metro.co.uk series aiming to show that, when it comes to living your life, achieving your dreams, and being who you want to be, the date on your birth certificate means nothing.
Each week, prepare to meet amazing people doing stereotype-defying things, at all stages of life.
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