As human beings, our modes of getting from one place to another without technology are walking, running, and swimming; and yet, a 2019 poll by The Magic 5 shows only less than half of Americans can swim. Humans, by the body, only have three ways to get around–basically two if you consider walking and running to be the same action at different speeds. Why sacrifice one if you can have all three and make life so much more convenient?
With how practical it is to swim, it’s not surprising if anyone wants to learn. Here is what Jack Hunter, a lifeguard at the Boys & Girls Club in Worcester, MA, has to say for beginners. “If you are starting swimming for the first time, you should seek help from a trusted professional like a lifeguard. Usually, we will help you get down the motion of kicking first using a kickboard. Once you have the kicking motion done, a pool noodle will be put under you to help you get down the motion of the kick and the stroke.”
Remember, without the pool noodle, the process of floating is a little more tricky, but keep calm and control your breathing to be steady. You may start trying to float by lifting your body vertically whilst holding the edge of the pool. Once you get that down, you can try to float on your back or stomach without support using the same process of lifting your body by shifting your weight to your head and leaning back or forward. Keep practicing until you can float effortlessly. Now you can incorporate strokes into your unsupported floating. With the help of a professional, your strokes can be performed and then gradually readjusted with some pointers. Slowly, you may notice your swimming become faster and more consistent. Remember, keep practicing until you perfect it. From there you can even try new types of swimming styles and strokes to find the one that best suits you.
With running, walking, and swimming, one thing that separates swimming from the rest is that humans were not meant to be in the water. People being able to swim means that this society has broken barriers–limits once thought to be the cap to human capabilities. Not only is swimming a great skill, but it is a symbol of humanity’s determination to be groundbreaking, especially with no ground at all.
