Can you swim?

[Kitty 34]

I took lessons starting at 7 at summer camp. In college I got my Red Cross Lifesaving card.


My sons all took lessons, my oldest started at 9 months!

 

[Chattyaholic]

I didn't learn to swim until I was 18. My DH (boyfriend at the time) taught me. I basically just do a "glorified doggie paddle" though. One year we had a membership at the local TraveLodge pool and we went up 2-3 times a week. I was finally able to go underwater and swim the length of the pool. Never tried going off the diving board though. We had an above ground pool for several years, but last summer the liner finally gave out and DH didn't want to buy a new one so the pool is gone. I did take our kids to swimming lessons when they were younger so they would learn to swim properly. They both swim very well, like their Dad.

 

[Wendy]

Yep, I've always been an excellent swimmer. I practically grew up in the water. We had a pool when I was a kid and always had at least 2 boats, so my parents made sure I took lots of swimming classes from the time I could walk. My whole family dives (DH, dad, sis, b-i-l, etc) and I got certified when I was 12. DH and I are counting down the days until DS is old enough to get certified. He loves to snorkel! I also was on swim team in junior high, a synchronized swim team in high school, and I lifeguarded throughout college and was even certified to teach lifeguarding.

I think it's soooo important that every single person knows how to swim well. I started both my kids in swim lessons at a year and make them take lessons each and every summer.

 

[Lovely2CU]

I've always been scared of water - no not washing! When I was small, some big kids threw me into a pool and it put me off swimming.

That was until 1980 (age 28), when I plucked up the courage to learn to swim and I taught myself. I'm nat a strong swimmer, but I can manage a width or two of the pool.

 

[WilmaBud]

I took lessons every summer growing up (I summered at the Jersey Shore). Then, I was a lifeguard for 8 years. I've always been a strong swimmer, and I have no fear of the water. I do, however, have a healthy respect for the ocean, and I'm very safety-conscious. I have my kids take swimming lessons every summer, too. I think everyone should learn how to swim.

 

[dizneenut]

No, I can't swim. Wish I could! I love floating around our pool with noodles, though!

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Towncrier
The college that I attended required that all graduates be able to pass a 10 minute flotation test. Apparently a former student had drowned in Lake Erie and his parents donated a substantial sum of money to the college with the stipulation that all students pass a swimming test.

My college in Texas required the same swim test back in 1970. We were told the same legend except that the former student had drown in the local lake. I believed it at the time I was in college but have since learned that it is a common legend. We had a swim test but not because anyone died.

To read more about this legend see: http://www.snopes.com/college/admin/swimtest.htm

 

[Amy]

Originally posted by Fantasia Girl
I can't swim, I am very scared of water that is deeper than my chest....I would love to learn, but I can't even put my face in the water!

Same here, Fantasia Girl - for some reason I'm terrified of the water, and I'm 43 years old! I tried taking lessons at the YMCA when I was about 21, but I remember using one of those kick boards in 3 feet of water and somehow I went under and got turned around and it freaked me out and I never went back.

That's why as soon as my two DS's were old enough, they started swim lessons. Both are pretty good swimmers, thank goodness! I think it is soooo important for people to be able to swim, and I just can't get over my fear. I DO go to the WDW water parks, though - I only go on the lazy river, and even then I don't sit in the tubes, I kind of float with the tube around me and my legs hanging down so I can touch the bottom.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I've been able to swim since I was very young. I would swim under water more than above if I could hold my breath that long. However I only swim in water that I can see in like clean pools, clean oceans, etc. For some reason I get freaked out trying to swim in dark water!

 

[SonjaB]

Yes, I can. Learned when I was a kid. We lived in an apartment complex that had a pool.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Yup. Even though I've almost bought it a couple times at the beach, I'd jump in in an instant. I couldn't imagine going through summer without swimming.

 

[Serena]

Yep, I've been swimming since I was a kid. I taught myself. We had a camper that we would visit every weekend and there was a lake and beach there. I learned how to dive there too.

Nope, you couldn't see the bottom and yes there were fish along with other critters. Just don't drink the water. lol

 

[shep]

yes

 

[Liz]

I voted yes but I don't swim very well. I would hate to think I ever had to depend on my swimming skills to save somebody. I was so relieved when my kids learned how to swim.

 

[The Sweetness]

I live in Miami and learned when I was a shorty. It was one of the worst childhood memories. I was terrified to go in the pool without my mommy, grandpa OR my floaties and one of the instructors just shoved me in the water (shallow end) with the other instuctor and kids

 

[julie_yet]

[color=0066ff]I've known how to swim since I was little. My best friend had a pool and I sort of taught myself. I actually swim better under the water than on the surface.[/color]

 

[ncligs]