these courses generally go extremely slow and are designed to build comfort with being in the water. Go at your own pace, but I would advise you to stick with it and go to the first lesson! It won’t be as scary as your brains defence mechanisms are saying it will be. I also drowned as a kid but went to lessons. I am an avid swimmer now. The brain can be re-wired!
I taught myself at 45. I used the book total immersion swimming. Stayed in pool where I could stand up. This past sept I did my second open water race.
Oli said:
I taught myself at 45. I used the book total immersion swimming. Stayed in pool where I could stand up. This past sept I did my second open water race.
oohh I’m also in the process of learning I’ll check this book out.
First off, props for getting out of your comfort zone to do something that scares you. Second, be prepared to not have a nose plug. Those things are actually super detrimental to learning how to swim. Third, your instructor will have your safety in the forefront of your mind. Learning to swim is an important survival skill and swim instructors know that. You’ll be starting in the shallow end, so there’s no need to worry about going into the deep end and being in danger in that way. You can do this!
I understand the fear. Even after I started swimming lessons I have the occasional resistance to continue after a break of a day or two. Thoughts about deep waters plague my mind and the only thing that helps me is to choose class timings in the morning and just get ready and show up. If I choose to go later in the day I end up procrastinating. And I know I want to learn in very badly since I have back issues no other exercise suits me and will help keep me in shape. That’s what’s in your control.
I’m in my 40s and my last two lessons for the month are this week. You can do this you just need to be brave. 
also it’s kind of fun. Goggles, and if you get water in your ears just lean your head a jump it will come right out. I’m fat and everything and I went to the class and you can always leave if its too much. Go to one class it’s no big deal.
As an adult taking swim class right now too, you got this! I recommend earplugs or eardams. I hate water getting in my ears too. Goggles are highly recommended too - I hate water getting my eyes and like being able to see. And swim cap if you have longer hair or just want to protect hair from chlorine damage.
You can do this. I learned to swim in my 40s and now (early 50s) do master’s workouts three times a week. Try Mack’s silicon earplugs. I hate getting water in my ear too and wear those every time I swim. For me, the key was learning that if you get tired, don’t stop. Rather, flip over and float on your back. I also used a pull buoy between my legs a lot when I was learning. Knowing that u didn’t need to kick and my legs wouldn’t sink helped me get more confident in the water, so that when it was time to kick, I felt more comfortable. You can do it.
If it’s just psychological, I have a Finis snorkel and also use it for freestyle training.
Don’t cancel. Buy swimming goggles. I was not at all comfortable getting my face wet or having my head under water, and I thought it was just the way I am. Then I bought a pair of prescription goggles, hopped in the pool, and did a length with my head under the water without thinking about it. Turns out the lack of information was what was making me panic, now that I can keep my eyes open, I have no issues. The first thing to learn is how to float. Without any particular movement or technique other than posture and confidence, your body will be able to float. You don’t need any specific motion, you don’t need to keep moving. It’s all just about familiarity, experience, trusting yourself and trusting the water. It takes time to build that trust, especially after what you went through. You should go to the class, explain to the instructor that you had an accident in water at a young age, and don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. Small steps, build your comfort and familiarity. I learned how to swim as an adult too - you can do it.
For a second I thought that the 47th president, Biden, can’t swim. I was going to ask you if #46 could swim any better. (lol, just kidding). All I know, is that practically everyone here can swim circles around both of them LOL !
I learned at 49. One of the best things I’ve ever done. I did have some fear of the water. One thing my instructor taught me that made a big difference: as soon as you get in the water, go completely under water, your head and all. And then dunk yourself back up. I don’t know why but it helps. Also, definitely buy goggles and maybe even swim earplugs.
You can do this! You say you don’t like getting water in your ears, try and remember those first few lessons that it doesn’t hurt it just feels weird. The more you submerge yourself the less weird it will be.
@Lilnim
My boyfriend actually signed me up for these classes. So he is my accountability and won’t let me back out.
you dont have to go in water that goes over your head to learn how to swim. Just tell the instructpr. Good luck.
Get some swimmers putty. It usually comes with quite a few pieces that you roll in your fingers to soften. Then place one in each ear. They will stay in your ears well. There is usually a nose plug included with the putty. Some good googles, you should be ready to go. Please, take the class. It will be worth it, for you. I hope.
I learned swimming this year at 42 years of age, after having tried many times in the past. What I did differ entry this time was: 1) I hired a private coach who came with great reviews - a solid tall diver with life guard training 2) I created time for swimming classes 3) I told the coach that I was not in a hurry to learn and I will take as long as it takes 4) I went slow, and did not go into the deep water where I could actually drown, so at all times I knew I had a dedicated coach and life guard watching over me, and that I was in water in which I could actually just stand 5) I prepared to feel really embarassed as I practiced on my own in learner pool surrounded with kids and their parents 6) I kept going back even when it was scary. All the best, love! I see you have signed up for group classes. That’s fine too. I know many, many adults who learnt in group classes, people who were even more afraid than I was. I couldn’t. Again, take it slow, keep showing up and if something is way out of your comfort zone, let the coach know.
Also, as much as they’re marketed for kids. Go find some floaties that you like for use when not at practice. They’re useful and potentially can help make the pool feel more fun and less frightening. Good luck!
Take Ur time your get there start in the shallow end I was doing Breaststroke underwater so easy & a lady offered to show me other stokes took me a while but I can do front crawl backstroke arms at side dolphin where you have legs together arms at side deep breath & kick your legs great fun but that will come when your confident have goggles swim hat as this might help I swim at 1.5m across the pool with another lady I’ve met we have great fun swimming together when you can swim it’s great fun i go 5 days a week 90 mins a time & I’ve done 2 charity swims which I’m proud of as not a strong swimmer but I did 33k meters in 16 weeks raised over £500 & my 1st swimathon just under 9k meters & raised over £600 in about 2 weeks only started swimming regularly in June 2023 others have said your swimming great now from when you first started swimming so don’t give up there people out there to help
Baby steps! Get used to just having your face in the water and practice what you learn in class on your own afterward. You will be in the shallow end for…months, so you can always just stand up.