Do you know how to swim?

I learned to swim in elementary school from the Red Cross. Earned my Junior and Senior lifesaving cards too. Swam at a level just below competitive when I was in high school, not quite fast enough to make the team.

And in Boy Scouts (and later on my own) I learned to enjoy open water swimming. But a big part of that is knowing one’s limitations, so that one does not out too far.

Yes. I was in a pool before I could walk. It’s my favorite exercise and activity.

More or less – mostly less. I can hold my own for a few minutes, but I don’t enjoy it, and I sink like a rock, whereas my husband can serve as a flotation device in case of an emergency water landing.

I think we went to the beach a little over a year ago. I was taught by my maternal step-grandfather when I was six or so.

The most exotic place I have gone swimming was a snorkeling trip at Kleine Bonaire during my honeymoon. Hubby cheerfully explored the coral reefs, and I was devoured by jellyfish and nearly drowned. Jellyfish stings on the lips suuuuuuuuck. I wouldn’t look forward to doing that again.

I will never go SCUBA-diving. I have a bit of a phobia about oxygen-free (or potentially oxygen-free) environments.

When I was 6 yrs old I was at a local pool with my cousins who already had years of swim lessons under their belt, I had none. I watched with envy as they were able to go off the diving board and next thing I knew they had coaxed me to give it a try. I jumped towards the wall and it was just inches out of my reach and next thing I knew I was sinking like a rock. I was a gonner and an alert lifeguard pulled my butt out of the pool. From that moment on I was determined to learn to swim and I did. Went through the entire YMCA swim class program, swam on HS swim team, got certified in SCUBA at 15, and became a lifeguard in college. I have swam most of my life and thinking of joining the Masters swim program.

My favorite place to swim is open water especially the ocean…I like the challenge of waves lifting and tossing me about.

I drowned when I was a child, and my Mom made sure I got lessons afterwards.

I was good at paddling around Up to the rope (from 4’ on up on the big size-huge no-no) with sibling, usually my oldest sister, with me. She taught me how to swim. Then she took me to the Deep End and she pushed me in. She had me tread water for 10 minutes. Those ten minutes almost killed me. She told Mom I’d survive. From then on I could go to the pool by myself. Which was a bike ride home. Back in the days of Coppertone- safe ozone.
In HS, somebody donated for a natatorium. (indoor swimming pool for competitive sport) way back, so every kid got put in one of three classes: New, Med, Adv. My first year I got into med. – all the teacher/coach/jerk did was to make you swim laps. I got strep throat and thanks to the Dr. -out until end of grading period. Yea!
The last two years- New level. We got to play water-ball and just chill. Jerk hated non-swimmers, so he stayed in his office. Yea!
Been in Oceans, Seas, Creeks, Gorges, and Lakes. I like fresh water more. Lake Erie family day trips when growing up were fun in the Sixties. Closed for pollution for a time in the Seventies- same time the Cuyahoga River was on fire. Ah, memories…

I was what some would say a “late bloomer” in the swimming department (amongst others). Even though I don’t really think nine years old is an old age to learn how to swim anyway, but compared with others I knew I guess it was.
My sisters and I took swimming lessons and when I FINALLY learned how to swim I was so proud of myself and pretty much felt on top of the world; it was a really big achievement for me.
I prefer ‘the frog stroke’ over the doggie paddle or olympian.
The only place I wouldn’t swim would be a sewer or somewhere else that has gross water lol. If it’s decently clean water, I’m in!
Last time I went swimming was a couple hours ago in the hot tub in my basement.

I love swimming pools mostly so that I can sit at the bottom and hold my breath. There is a really relaxing and kinda magical aspect to it.

I’m particularly fond of the breast stroke <parp>

Dog paddle. Otherwise, no.

Yes. In camp we learned how to tread water, and camp was the first time I went under water. The camp counselor lined us all up and each one of us had to put our face in. Peer pressure, or fear of embarrassment, took care of my fear of that. I was 9 years old I think. My dad taught me the side stroke. My grandma taught me how to breathe, and basic form for the breast stroke and the crawl/freestyle. I think everyone ideally should be exposed to water, and being able to hold ones breathe under water and treading.

Driving a car? I don’t think everyone should get behind the wheel of a car. It is a good idea for someone to know the basics in an emergency I guess, but someone afraid to drive might cause a new emergency.

Yes. Taught by family and then had formal lessons thru camp and local organizations. I did the same for my daughter. I think knowing how to swim is very important, as it could save your life one day.

I taught myself to swim at a huge public pool at age 7. I went to the deep end of the pool (about 20 feet deep). I held onto the side of the pool and relaxed and then let go of the side and automatically (without thinking) I started dog paddling in place for a just a few strokes then grabbed the side again. I did this over and over until I felt in total control. At that point I dog paddles a few feet and then just broke into a kind of a free style stroke and have been swimming ever since including scuba diving and about 20 triathlons.

I think that it’s important for people to feel comfortable in the water. If people can just relax, then they will be able to roll onto their back and float with their face up so that they can breath and yell for help. Some folks have told me that they can’t float. I call them fighters.

Yes, in seventh grade we had to swim and make a turn in olympic size pool at YMCA. I was third fastest out of 400 boys in class. The ones that couldn’t swim got bussed to YMCA for whole semester for swimming lessons. Also “drown proofed” I’ve been in deep water for 30 minutes, not treading water but using buoyancy and bouncing in water to breath when my head was above water and staying under water the rest of the time.

Yep. One of my earliest memories is drowning. I was 4 or so. Dad pulled me out. 30 minutes later I knew how to swim.
I started jumping off the diving board not long after that.
We lived in Florida and Dad took us to see the Weekee Wachee mermaids. I have been one ever since. I could spend hours at the bottom of the pool doing tricks and flips and all the things that mermaids do.

I taught each of my kids to swim almost before they could walk. my daughter was jumping off the board at 2. I’ve taught most of my grandkids how to swim. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

Once my daughter wanted to jump in the pool. She knew how to swim but she was only two. I told her not to do it. She did it any way. Then she couldn’t get out. I said, “You got yourself in, you get yourself out.”
Two teenager girls were there, and they made it clear that they thought I was a horrible mother!
She got herself out.

I think that teaching your kids to swim is as important as teaching them to look both ways before they cross the street.

No, it shouldn’t be mandatory for education.

And what does the fact that ¾ths of the earth is water have anything to do with anything?

Yes. I learned at camp, and I used to be on a swim team so I know many forms. Last time I went swimming was at the Cape this summer. I wouldn’t go swimming in a pile of garbage.

Oh, the last time I went swimming was this past summer. My 7 year old grandson damn near drowned when he disobeyed me, and didn’t stay where he could touch bottom in the lake. He followed me out. I turned around to see him going down for the last time. Hauled his ass out, put him in time out.
Later that week I had the opportunity to teach him to swim in a pool. Took 10 minutes.

I do NOT understand why parents don’t make teaching their kids to swim a priority.

Yes, I love swimming. I am a strong swimmer but not Tia competitive standard. I learnt to swim at a very young age my dad used to teach people to swim as part of his job in the Royal Navy so he probably gave me my first lessons although I can’t be sure. The last time I went swimming was on holiday in America in September of this year. I choose to be in water as often as possible even if it’s just to paddle. Sitting with my feet in the lake at Yosemite was a lovely, relaxing experience.

@OpryLeigh I feel similarly where if there is water I am just as content to sit with my feet in the water as I am swimming in or boating on the water. The connection and calming effect is unlike others I know

Since I retired from being a mermaid, I feel the same..unless I’m teaching a kid to get used to the water. Yeah, sitting in a camp chair on a 100+ degree day, just off shore, reading a book,drinking a beer, going in long enough to get all wet to cool down…doesn’t get much better than that!

Yes I can swim like a fish.