How do I learn to swim, I have a great fear of having my face in the water?
349494
I don't have a fear of having my face in the water, I just don't like the sensation of trying to hold my breath. I love to swim however! The advice on doggie paddling and other strokes that don't really require your face to be in the water are excellent one. These are how I enjoy the water. I do not look as graceful as a person who will put their face in the water, but I haven't had any bad experiences either, and I LOVE to tread water (deep water at that!).
560589
I know that its not going to be easy to go back into the water,especially after two previous incidents, but whether your talking about the ocean or a pool water can be one of the most fun things. I know this is going to sound a little childish but start out with a small kiddy pool. If that's no problem try going to a local public swimming pool, tell the lifeguard that you would like them to keep an eye on you while you simple go in the shallow end of the pool, hopefully just knowing that the lifeguard is right there will make you a little more comfortable and you'll be able to conquer the fear slowly but surely. No need to rush yourself, if you do that you may scare yourself even more so and never even want to swim again.\n\nI wish the best to you, and hope you'll be swimming soon. And remember just to try and enjoy yourself, And take a friend.  \n\nE-Mail me if..... When you start swimming again. \n\nCareful out there.\n\nBrock B.\nz7425472@yahoo.com
435208
Free divers practice by doing a dead mans float in a pool during regular practices every week. Basically they just go limp and face down in the water. It's best to do this with a partner in case there is a problem.\n\nYou should also completely exhale and inhale a few times before going under. Again, swim with a partner in case there are complications.
490793
Your head position is going to help or hurt the most.  If you are on your front you want to make sure you are looking at or towards the bottom and you may even need to push your chin down toward the bottom a little.  At the same time you want to try to push your hips up just a little  (your head should be just a little lower then your hips).  If you are on your back you will need to make sure you are looking up and behind you and try to lift your hips up as high in the water as possible.\n\nThis will feel strange at first until you practice and get use to it.  After a while you will not even have to think about it anymore.\n\nGood luck
300151
If you have a fear of the water the longer you wait to face your fears the more difficulty you will have conquering them. Children have an easier time conquering their fears of water because they usually aren't given a choice. But you do need to be careful of not traumatizing a child of the water when young or these fears will remain.\n\nIf you are not afraid of the water or have other issues, learning to swim as a teenager shouldn't be anymore difficult.
551655
I'm a PADI Scuba instructor and I had the same fear as you when I started diving in the ocean. As soon as I got my first license to dive (open water) I enrolled in a "Hazardous Marine Life" class. I really had a need to know what to lookout for. It's fear of the unknown. Learn all you can of the things in the water in your area. Snorkel or dive and see what is down there. You will be surprised to find there is little that can really harm you as long as you do not harm them. The more you know, I think you will have more confidence. I show my kids everything I can in the water. Because of their knowledge, their comfort level is very good for their age. Take it a step at a time like the others said and conquer your fear for the love of your sport! Like myself and my kids..You CAN do it. Good luck :)
588816
take a swim class. or just get in the water. it's not hard...
244991
Go to your town swimming pool, they'll most likely have lessons, just ask the front counter, or employees\n\n-Bradnaut
131362
The most common misconception about swimming is you hold your breath while your face is underwater. That's like telling a runner that you can only take in a breath on every 5th stride. When swimming you are breathing just as you would any other sport except you have to regulate your breathing. While your face is underwater you should be blowing out your air, slowly. The 2 main reasons are 1) blowing out underwater helps you to keep your mouth and nose clear of water and 2) it will give you more time to take in air when your face is above the surface of the water.\n\nBlowing air slowly underwter forces the unwanted water out of your nose and mouth. If air is coming out, water can't come in. It also helps gives you more time to take in breaths. The short time that your face is above the surface of the water, should be spent taking in air. When you expel most of your air underwater, you clear your airway and should be able to get a bigger breath of air when your face bareaks the surface. If you have to expel your air and take in a breath in that short time you will probably not get a good breath.\n\nA drill that helps is to do a single arm stroke, stroke using your right arm only, then your next set practice only your left side. When doing this your body is being leveled off by your kick. This way you can take a slower stroke and concentrate on your breathing. Watch your head position: your spine should be straight, chin tucked by your shoulder, and concentrate on looking slightly back when your face surfaces. Practice breathing on both sides and blowing yur air out. A lot of times this helps to keep your body more balanced and you will be able to swim straighter.
73393
It depends on what level you are talking about learning to breath.\nFor a first-time swimmer, doing bobs (submerging the face and blowing bubbles, then coming up for air, repeatedly) helps. This reinforces the practice of blowing out your breath underwater and not holding your breath.\nFor beginners, being comfortable in the water. Might sound simplistic but a fear of the water (even a slight apprehension) makes breathing difficult.\nIf you are talking about the front crawl (freestyle), the one hand stroke drill helps to emphasize correct body positioning while breathing and practices breathing on both sides.
171354
To get over your fears you need to face your fears.\ngo to a high place( a safe place where your not going to fall) and look down untill you feel comfertable
129124
the basic of swimming is that u must breath in i.e fill ur stomach with air then streach ur legs nd hands nd start flapping them like a bird(only legs) nd as far as ur hands r concerned move them in the backward direcion like dis(ur hands->,<)\n\n 1 <(position of ur hands in the forward direction)   then             2 >(backward direction)
404497
I have that fear too. I also don't know exactly what it is called. I fear the drains on the bottom of pools because I fear of being sucked under and not being able to get back up. Don't laugh!! It's true. My favorite water creature is the orca. Ok but I have the fear of swimming in lakes and the ocean because I fear being dragged out and under. I used to love feeling the sand being pulled from under me by the surf... And then I saw the signs posted around the beach. \n\nIf your fears are similar to mine, the it may be the fear of water taking you that you have. Just try not to think about it when you're doing those things. And imagine dolphins doing the can-can!  :)  Be strong!
870981
OH YES!!!!!!!\n\nAnd if you are nto swimming for competition and can swim well enough you could save your life.. then you dont have to learn anything else!\n\nUnless you want to!\n\nBreaststroke is great ... keep on going...\n\nYou can also use a kick board for working out and just kick ...really works out the legs\n\nGood for you any kind of swimming is gerat for fitness!\n\nGood Luck and keep it up!\nWismom
38517
Get comfortable with being in the water first, then try snorkeling...  the next step is to get proper training with a great instructor who's very patient.
946056
Swimming, alone, is a very strenuous workout.  You need to give your arms more time to recouperate.
603895
Absolutely.  I fear swimming in rivers and lakes because the lake at my grandmother's summer home was infested with snapping turtles.  She used to scare me into not swimming by telling me that they would snap off my toes.  To this day, I cannot swim in anything but a pool.