What has not been mentioned was the wardrobe malfunction that happened in my first class. When the noodle float was positioned in front of me it unfortunately pushed down the top of my old and rather saggy swim suit purchased probably about 20 years ago, with the result that the life guard had a bit of an unexpected surprise...so this week I purchased a rather snazzy Zoggs swim suit from John Lewis to ensure everything stayed where it should. There is nothing worse (apart from worrying about taking in a lungful of water) than worrying about whether your bits and bobs are on show.
So anyway - the second lesson. What a night! I was very nervous, but once I got in the pool I felt a lot better. It was incredibly hot in the changing room area, and what with having the odd hot flush this afternoon I had started worrying about how I would cope with a flush in the pool. There was no need to worry though as the water was very pleasant and the flushes stayed away.
This week I was separated off again and also had my own life guard keeping an eye on me for the beginning of class. He stood there encouraging me while I practiced floating on my back using the noodle float and then standing up. I was slightly anxious about the long metal pole he was holding. It reminded me a bit of the hook the teacher had when I first went to swimming lessons in the horrible outdoor pool in Reigate circa 1974. I wondered how the pole might be put to use and under what circumstances, but luckily I didn't get to find out.
We did some more putting our faces in the water then breathing out, and then some gliding (me with two floats). But something good happened this evening. It must be something about a desire to progress even if you are not quite sure what will happen. I got a bit fed up with the two floats so got rid of one, and found it was rather nice....the teacher looked over and said he reckoned in a few minutes I would be without a float at all, and five minutes later that's what happened. I managed to 'swim' about 3 metres towards the side of the pool - well it was more of a very splashy doggy paddle, but at least I got the feet up AND got my face wet. It was so exciting I wanted to shout out!! The final exercise was floating on the back with no support...this is actually pretty great and relaxing, although I think that is mainly as it keeps the face out of the water, so as long as next week I can improve the self righting bit, it will be even better. To be told you are a natural floater is pretty wonderful for someone who has NEVER floated unsupported on their back before - I just hope I can maintain these exciting new skills next week.
I have nothing but praise for our teacher. There is just about the right level of encouragement which makes me feel confident, safe, and wanting to keep going.
Tuesday 25 March 2014
Lesson 1: breathing out under the water, gliding and floating
I thought I'd better do a post about last weeks class before it all gets forgotten.
It was my first class. There are about 12 people there - all appear to be much younger than me (I am 50), but all really friendly. My fear must have been pretty evident as within about 3 minutes of me getting in the pool the teacher separated me off with a float and gave me some simple exercises to do while as far as I was concerned the rest of the class just got on with swimming, getting their heads under water and to me looking really confident. But actually this was great. I was just happy doing my thing and taking my time.
The class is very structured, and that suits me just fine. I don't remember the classes 15 years ago being like that - am sure they were a bit of a free for all - with people splashing around and no organisation.
In these classes the first exercises involve breathing in, and then putting the head/face under the face and breathing out through your mouth and if you can the nose so you blow bubbles for as long as you can. This was quite a revelation. I don't think anyone has told me about breathing out like this, and certainly until now I've spent most of the time trying not to get my face wet and focusing on getting my feet off the ground instead. But although this sounded and seemed quite scary, somehow I got some confidence and managed to do it. OK maybe not as much as the others in the group or for so long, but I had a go.
We also did some floating on the front and on the back, but I had to use the noodle float for this and then some gliding. By the end of the first class I just about managed to go without the float for a second or two - but was not quite ready to go it alone.
It was my first class. There are about 12 people there - all appear to be much younger than me (I am 50), but all really friendly. My fear must have been pretty evident as within about 3 minutes of me getting in the pool the teacher separated me off with a float and gave me some simple exercises to do while as far as I was concerned the rest of the class just got on with swimming, getting their heads under water and to me looking really confident. But actually this was great. I was just happy doing my thing and taking my time.
The class is very structured, and that suits me just fine. I don't remember the classes 15 years ago being like that - am sure they were a bit of a free for all - with people splashing around and no organisation.
In these classes the first exercises involve breathing in, and then putting the head/face under the face and breathing out through your mouth and if you can the nose so you blow bubbles for as long as you can. This was quite a revelation. I don't think anyone has told me about breathing out like this, and certainly until now I've spent most of the time trying not to get my face wet and focusing on getting my feet off the ground instead. But although this sounded and seemed quite scary, somehow I got some confidence and managed to do it. OK maybe not as much as the others in the group or for so long, but I had a go.
We also did some floating on the front and on the back, but I had to use the noodle float for this and then some gliding. By the end of the first class I just about managed to go without the float for a second or two - but was not quite ready to go it alone.
Monday 24 March 2014
Time to learn to swim....again
I have to write these things down as I have to be able to remind myself why I am going to put myself through the experience of lessons again in 2014.
Ever since New Year when I went to my GP with a painful knee following taking up Zumba and doing too much I have heard time and time again, why don't you take up swimming? The simple answer is I can't swim. I have had various people attempt to teach me over the last 40 odd years, but I've never got far. I did manage to swim a tiny bit once, a long time ago, but it was only a few strokes and since I was holding my breath pretty much most of the time, and panicked when I couldn't feel the floor of the pool it wasn't really what I could count as a success. I also got terrible neck and back pain while trying desperately not to get my face wet. I think the last time I tried to learn it was at Newham Leisure Centre about 15 years ago. I don't remember much teaching going on, but lots of people splashing and getting in each others way. The taste of chlorine was horrible, and the arrival of a nasty cold easily became the reason (excuse) to miss class and then, well, I just didn't bother to go back.
So I have signed up to swimming classes at the London Aquatics Centre. To be honest I'm not really sure how many classes I've signed up to. I guess I will just keep going until I can swim. This blog is my attempt to document my progress. I really really want to learn to swim.
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