Learn to Swim at Any Age

Nearly 50 years ago, when I was about age nine, my older brother and I were learning to swim at a public pool in our hometown, Memphis, Tenn. Tragically, two children drowned at the pool during an open swim period and our parents never let us go back. This was the beginning and the end of my childhood swimming instruction. I later took lessons at the Y and learned to float, swim on my back and meet the requirements for my undergraduate degree; however, I never became a proficient swimmer. Now five decades after my first attempt at learning to swim, I’m back in the water!

I chose to take an adult swim class at the Cooper Street YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Arlington, not just because the class is complimentary to full-time employees or that the pool is close to my home. I took the class because of my confidence in the Y and our staff to be caring and professional towards me as a beginning swimmer with trepidation about the experience. I had fears such as: Would others in the pool look upon me differently as an older adult learner? Would I look silly in the water? Would I have the physical stamina and coordination needed to kick, stroke and breathe at the same time?

It turned out that my instructor, Lindsey, was caring and very professional. She worked with each student at their own level. She often moved about the pool giving pointers and answering questions. She demonstrated the proper techniques and then offered a critique to help us improve. Lindsey explained the techniques and demonstrated them to help me correct my form. I’m a visual learner and her demonstrations aided me tremendously!

My improved fitness level is a bonus to learning to swim. The aerobic benefit of swimming is well known, however, I’ve benefited also from the exercise of my shoulders and back. Using the water as resistance has helped with my chronic back pain. And, after just one week in the water my weight was down nearly three pounds!

My class met from 8 to 8:50 p.m., Monday through Thursday, for two weeks. By the end of the first week, I had learned to kick and stroke in unison. And, by the end of the second week I could swim about a third the length of the pool. I’m still working on kicking, stroking… and “breathing” together!

When I mentioned to my staff that I was trying to emulate the form of Mark Spitz from the 1972 Olympics, almost no one knew who I was talking about. Finally, a staff member, who is almost a contemporary of mine, said few on the staff were old enough to know who Mark Spitz was. Some had not even been born in 1972! She recommended I reference Michael Phelps, from the 2008 Olympics, for my illustration. I was dating myself, but the point is…you can learn to swim at any age!

In the weeks since my class ended I’ve been to the Y to practice my technique a couple nights per week. I’m still trying to get the breathing down and to improve my endurance. I can swim the length of the pool on my back and about half the length with my face down and breathing about every fourth stroke. I know that with practice I’ll become a more proficient swimmer.

I now know that you can learn to swim at any age. Each year the Y teaches thousands of kids and adults nationwide how to swim and be safe around water. If you or your kids want to learn how to swim, I recommend calling Cory Brazeal, Association Aquatics Director, at (817) 419-9629, or email him at coryb@ymca-arlington.org.

I set five personal goals when I was in my early 50s: 1) earn a doctorate, 2) earn a black belt, 3) become a better swimmer, 4) become proficient in Spanish, and 5) improve my guitar skills. The first two goals have been completed and I’m well on my way to becoming a better swimmer. Now as I approach age 60 in seven months, I’ve got to get serious about Spanish and the guitar! Vaya con Dios!

Willie Dean, Ph.D.
President and CEO
YMCA of Arlington

August 23, 2010