I’ve been learning how to swim for a few months now. During the first few sessions, I must have swallowed a gallon of chlorine water. I’ve suffered cramps, too. Until after a few sessions, finally, I could do a freestyle decently but not flawlessly.
Week after week, coach Jinkee gave me drills using the pull boy, instructing me to have my elbows up and have a longer reach, and touching my hips. She also taught me how to breathe properly with my head closer to my shoulder. Even with that I struggled.
It’s funny that I’m taking lessons given that I’ve already achieved my objective of learning how to swim. I have also no plans of competing, but for some reason, I just kept on going with my training, just to be better and be more comfortable in the water.
Last Saturday, I asked coach Jinkee to take it easy on me. While doing my usual freestyle, she instructed me to bring down my head lower into the water, and to bring my hand by my navel down to my hips and up, high elbows.
I did as ordered, first with my pull boy and hand paddles, and to my surprise I started to glide underwater. From being fidgety a few months ago, I was now more relaxed. There was less effort, too, but I was going farther and even faster, and really enjoying swimming. I was gliding underwater.
It was that act of gliding that fascinated me the most: To be in state of motion and stillness happening together. Next goal is distance swimming.
After seeing some improvement with my swimming skills, I realize how much swimming taught me about life, and getting out of our comfort zone.
Check the pool. Before getting into the water, know how deep the water is, how cold it is. Take calculated risks. Do not assume, it can cause you your life.
Take the plunge. We were not born with fins, but you have to dare to get into the water for how else will you learn? You can’t learn to swim if you don’t get wet.
Do the drills. There’s a reason why you have to get down and dirty, and spend time and effort before you actually become good at something. Get into the habit of doing the tasks well, and I guarantee that you will see results. Be consistent.
Get a coach. It’s healthy to have mentors who will guide you through your affairs. So you won’t have to make the same mistakes as they did.
Getting water into your eye and mouth won’t kill you. There are many things life that are just worth ignoring.
Cramps. Expect to encounter problems. Sometimes, no matter the amount of preparation — warm up — it just happens. But what’s important is not to panic.
Don’t panic. Panic will only make you sink. Stay calm and maintain your presence of mind on what to do next.
Just float. Sometimes, it’s better not to do anything. But don’t just stay there; get back into swimming.
Focus on your goal. Know where you’re heading. You can’t just swim forever; definitely, you must swim toward somewhere?
Glide. Be effortless. Adapt and enjoy the water.
(E-mail me at bsaguinaldo@yahoo.com.)