Just found this thread, ( a bit late I know
) and thought i'd comment.
20 ish years ago I took up windsurfing, but was somewhat limited by the fact I couldn't swim, so always wited till the tide /wind direction was right. I did have a bouyancy aid on but it still gave me the willies. So at 30+ i learnt to swim. I'm quite compettive, but not overly so, and I found the group class a better approach, as I could pitch myself against another beginner, and try to learn faster, be quicker etc. I think I had 2 sets of lessons each prob 6 lessons each, and I was there. I still cannot swim the crawl. I beats me WHY they always insist on ramming this one down peoples throats, we don't all want to be champions, we just want to swim. Consequently I can swim the breaststroke, and can keep up with front crawl swimmers, (not good ones tho') Within no time i was additcted , and EVERY lunctime I would drive to the pool, rush in swim 1 mile (66 lengths IIRC) in about 40 mins breast stroke, nip out , shower and back to work. i find breastsroke almost effortless, , when i kick, my arms are stretched out and I glide , torpedo like, then pull back with the arms and kick again. secret to a good kick is practice, by doing things like swimming 4-6 lengths just using your breaststroke kick, whilst hold your hands behind your back. Dont swim that much now as its too bl@@dy dear round here, but when I do, I still manage a mile, but not as quick. shame its so dear, about £6.60 a go.
