I think people freak themselves out about drowning, swimming really isn't hard. Nobody ever taught me and I figured it out. Just don't panic, if all else fails relax, lean your head back, and pull your feet to the surface, you will float, everybody does. Just go to a shallow part of the pool where you can stand up and just try it, there are no special mechanics, just do what you see other people doing. Paddle feet, pull forward with your arms. I bet the results will surprise you if you just try without freaking out.
I can only swim from Point A to Point B but I can't tread water. I've had friends try to teach and they all say just move your arms and kick your legs yet I still sink. (And I don't have a lot of muscles )
like i said i'm not even afraid of water. had a friend spot me for an hour doing exactly what you described. i couldn't stay above the surface for more than a few seconds.
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The Y is probably the only place people will recommend. The rest of the posts are asking "how the F don't you know how to swim?"
First step is not being scared. Learn to be comfortable in the water. Second step is learning how to float on back and on stomach. Floating on Back: 1. Most important thing is head back - parallel with ground or further. Neck relaxed. 2. Belly-button UP as high as you can get it without trying too hard. 3. Arms out helps for balance Floating on Stomach: 1. Face DOWN, parallel with ground or further in 2. Hips UP 3. Arms out helps for balance 4. Kicking a bit also helps for those with lots of leg muscle. And when you kick, do NOT bring your knees in. Third step is learning how to kick. You can practice holding onto the wall and kicking your feet to the surface of the water. NOT LIKE RUNNING - do not bring your knees into your chest. You want straight-ISH legs.. not stiff but don't bend knees too much as that causes you to sink. Fourth step is learning how to push off the wall in a diving motion (hands/arms streamlined) and kicking while gliding. Fifth step is learning how to use your arms. This can be complicated but the idea there is to be efficient and clean. Don't slap the water, pierce it. When your hand enters the water, you want to pull in a 'cupping' motion but don't close your fingers all the way... Pretend they're webbed because the water will naturally pull easier that way. I can go on, but I think that's a good start. Source: Used to teach swim lessons. EDIT: Most important thing is Head and Neck position. Your body will naturally follow the motion of your head. If you look straight up, your body will follow (vertically). When you look at the bottom of the pool/body of water, your body will be more inclined to float (horizontal).
