It’s not something I’m proud of but, that doesn’t make it any less true. I can’t swim. It shocks people to know this about me. I guess I just hang out with a bunch of swimmers! I have a really good reason why I can’t swim. At least, I think it’s a good reason.
It all started when I was 9. I was in the fourth grade and my school participated in a program with the YMCA. There was a swimming class being offered there and many of the students in my class had signed up to participate. I was excited to finally learn how to swim but I was also nervous. I guess it was more a fear of the unknown. Once we started the class, I started to relax. We stared out doing basic stuff in the shallow end of the water. Being the tall girl that I am – shallow was smooth sailing for me. After a while, our swimming instructor began to focus more on the students who already knew how to swim. He would leave the rest of us just kind of playing around in the shallow end.
After some weeks, the class was coming to an end. We were going to be tested on what we’d learned. I, personally, had learned next to nothing. For our test, the instructor took us to the deep end of the pool. That’s right, my no swimming behind would now be tested on my swimming skills in twelve freaking feet of water. Huh? Our test went like this: our instructor held a long pole over the water. We were supposed to jump and grab on to the pole. Then, he lowered us into the water while we held on to the pole. We were to let go and swim back up. I was terrified. I didn’t want my turn to come up – EVER!
When it was my turn, I jumped and grabbed on to the pole. I was feeling good that I made it to the pole and didn’t just sink straight down into the water. Then I was lowered into the water. That’s where I got scared. I didn’t know how to swim. What was I supposed to do? So I curled my body up into a ball and floated back up to the top. I was so happy to be out of that pool!
Since then, I’ve had a love/fear relationship with the water. I love to hop in but, I know my limits. I have been saying for years that I would take a swimming class again but, I don’t ever want to put myself back in that scary place again. I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point. I really want to. I guess, in a sense, I’m just traumatized. So there you have it. That’s why I can’t swim.
21 Comments on Did He Try to Kill Me?
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It really amazes me how our childhood experiences can affect us throughout our lives. Thankfully I am a good swimmer, but when it comes to going down in the basement at night, I don’t do so well. But even though I am afraid of going down there, I try to push my boundaries and fight my fears – I just haven’t overcome them yet.
Rachel Gibson recently posted…Why Do I Sweat So Much?
Girl, I can’t swim either! I had a traumatic experience when I was younger and I nearly drowned! I remember sinking to the bottom and the life guard saving me. You will never catch me in deep water again!
This Cookn’ Mom recently posted…The Worst Non Valentine’s Valentine’s
Me too! I can’t swim because I cannot suppress my breathing too long but I haven’t experienced like that of yours. Maybe someday you’l just get over that fear and started swimming again. I’m hoping! 🙂
Nicole Schuman recently posted…how to claim back ppi
I can’t swim either so don’t feel bad and I grew up around water and the ocean and people look at me crazy. I do get in but only in the part that I can stand in. The hubs was suppose to teach me but I am afraid he will try something so…I will pass. I might take me and my son to swimming lessons this summer spend some bonding time.
kita recently posted…What’s the Biz: To Franchise or not to Franchise
Oh no! That’s too bad. I was swimming in our backyard pool in Phoenix from a really young age and am grateful for that.
Kristy @PampersandPinot recently posted…Wine a Bit. You’ll Feel Better.
I definitely can relate…I have a love hate relationship with water too…we should take lessons so that we can get over this fear:-)
I love the water and I have no fear of it, but I can’t swim at all. Crazy, I know. I should fear it, but I don’t. And yes, I agree – he was trying to kill you! LMAO!
MrsTDJ recently posted…Protection for Fools and Babies
I can’t swim either! But I love going to the beach and the pool… weird.
being terrified is a great reason not to know how to swim actually. Hopefully one day you learn tho. I really enjoy swimming.
I think most of us have probably had that near drowning death incident. It’s really REALLY scary!
bravoerunway recently posted…February Rewind and Replay
I took swimming lessons as a child and when we were learning how to dive I did a belly flop and was afraid to dive again. I did that when I was 10. To this day I will not learn how to dive. I remember my teacher telling me to get back up there or else I would never and I be doggone if he wasn’t right. I think I will try to conquer that fear this summer.
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Awww it’s never too late to learn! DH can’t swim either and has tried to get someone to teach him but with his muscle mass he just sinks like a rock! He also says it’s because he didn’t grow up around water but NYC is as close to the water as you can get – there are so many public transit accessible beaches. Anyway, I went to school in Ohio and had to learn to swim as part of my graduation requirement and 2 of my 3 siblings are trained lifeguards. I plan on teaching my daughter how to swim maybe through a Red Cross program if they have it. I used to go to one as child and loved it! Good luck!
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it’s never too late to learn! I first took swimming lessons when I was about 9 or 10. And then proceeded not to use said skill for the next 20 years. I relearned how to swim when I was THIRTY. Best investment EVER
I HATE swimming. That sounds awful on so many levels!
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I learn’t to swim as a young boy my parents had a pool in the back yard. Those were really great years. Anybody can leant how to swim , they key is not to panick.
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As you know I learned at the young age of 31. All of my fears were erased by the thought of my son being in the water and me being totally helpless if he needed me. So we both took lessons and I overcame the fears. I don’t do any fancy diving but I can swim. 😉
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I have the fear too. I have learned to swim and I can control my breathing well…but I still fear to swim at deep water area, I know it is just about conquering the fear, but it is so hard!
Robbie recently posted…Points That Help You to Know That How to Impress Woman
I have a lot of fear in my self, in height, water which I don’t know how to swim and etc., but my husband help me to overcome those things.. As we spent our summer vacation, he is always their to give me a spirit in trying those unlikely things I have… Life is a matter of trying, if you don’t try, you can’t learn..
Coline recently posted…http://www.flatratemovers.com
Swimming is the best things I really look into, at the age of 28 I try to learn it in order to experience the happiness as other felt the same way..
Rose.Ann recently posted…RSA Certificate Online
You are definately not by yourself I can’t swim either. I took a few classes when I lived in Detroit and I can’t tread water or dive and come up to the top. When I would dive in I would wonder when is the instructor coming after me. I learned how to float well on my back but I can’t swim either. That is not my gift. 🙂
I can’t swim either, but I hate it when your teacher focused more on those who already knew how to swim. I think it would have been good if he tried teaching those who doesn’t know yet.