Hi guys I never learned to swim as a child, and I’ve signed up for adult swim lessons soon. Something I think will help me prepare for the lessons is I don’t know the mechanics/physics behind the motion. So I’m asking
1.) how do people float in water and why is it crucial to swimming?
2.) how do people actually move from point a to b in water while swimming?
EDIT: thanks so much to all who have responded with answers, tips, advice, and encouragement! Trying to read through all your helpful answers ☺️
In: 715
I’ve been a swim instructor for over 10 years. I have taught adults and kids. I had a class of adults and their physicality ranged from older, overweight gal, to young guy who worked out twice a day 7 days a week. He looked great. Not an ounce of fat on him. The first day in the pool I pointed to the overweight gal and said “you will be the first one I teach to float”. I looked at the muscular guy and said “and you will be the last person.” When asked why I stated simply “because fat floats”. I myself am overweight so I felt ok saying this. Sure enough, the gal floated the first day (on her back). The guy had a difficult time floating but did learn to keep himself above the water. Everyone in the class was swimming by the end of the sessions.
But really, if you relax in the water you will have no problem floating. You have to be comfortable with your head and ears in the water. Floating on your back is like lying in your bed flat on your back. If you pick your head up you feet will sink. If you “sit” in the water you will sink. Relax and let the water hold you up. Good luck with your lessons.
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