I’ve been swimming for almost two years and am still struggling. I only use YouTube for guidance. I took lessons from one coach who wasn’t helpful, but another coach gave me a few useful tips. I would love to have a dedicated coach watch me during an entire practice and help identify my main weaknesses. I usually start strong with good form but fall apart after about 200 yards and need breaks afterward, which is very frustrating. I hope to eventually swim long distances without needing to stop.
I was 39 when I started. I had a basic level of comfort in water (floating, treading, managing short distances with sloppy strokes). I watched a lot of videos, read advice here, took a month of lessons, and observed other swimmers. It took me about 2 to 3 times a week over 6 months to feel I could swim properly.
During this time, I made friends with some regular senior swimmers, and their stories reminded me that learning is possible at any age. Stick with it; you’ll get there!
I was over 40 when I started. I took 8 lessons, then swam one lap a day, then two laps, and added an extra lap each day until I reached 1 kilometer. That took me about 40 days. That was 30 years ago and I’m still learning.
I spent 3 weeks swimming every day to overcome imposter syndrome and sinking legs. After that, it’s about going at my own pace and focusing on making small changes that lead to big successes. I started learning a year ago.
I’m 53 and started swimming 3 times a week about 6 to 8 months ago. Initially, I would be winded by the end of a 25-yard swim and could only manage about 300 yards in 20 minutes before exhausting myself. Now, I swim 1200 yards in under 30 minutes and feel pretty good about it. The club coach even mentioned that I look efficient and relaxed while swimming.
Thanks for this post and for everyone’s comments. They provide hope and perspective!
I started in August last year, taking some group classes and a one-on-one coaching session. I can swim 50 meters in series, but still struggle with longer distances.
Figuring out a breathing pattern and kicking technique has been tricky. I recently started videoing myself, and I think this will help a lot. It’s fascinating to see the difference between what we think we’re doing and what we actually do.
I took lessons at the YMCA this time last year at 39. I didn’t swim regularly until May. I was totally winded after 25 meters but kept pushing through. I could do about 400 meters with breaks in between, but I often felt panicked trying to get across the pool. I had neck surgery in 2020, which makes it harder to turn my head in the water.
I bought a snorkel in November and haven’t swum without it since. It has significantly improved my form and reduced my anxiety about drowning. My legs drag less now, and my endurance increased to where I can swim continuously for 250 meters (my personal best is 350 meters).
Before the year ended, I swam my first mile and managed to swim a mile a day for three consecutive days, doing freestyle the whole time. Recently, I clocked a time of 3:15 per 100 meters, but last night I hit a personal best of around 2:30.
I had four sessions. I took 3 months of weekly lessons with a trainer in my early 20s but didn’t make any progress, so I gave up. Fast forward to my 30th birthday: I wanted to go to Greece, so I joined a gym with a swimming pool, watched some YouTube videos, and now I’m a pretty good swimmer.
I had a few private lessons and a year of group training. Many have complimented me on the beauty of my stroke (the part above water), but sadly that doesn’t make me fast. I’ve done triathlons before, so I know enough to be in the top third of my age group, but I focus more on proving to myself that I can do it rather than on speed.