I have been told that even a person with agua phobia can learn to swim. When I consider the benefits of swimming for both emotional and physical conditions I am determined to learn.

This is what is needed:

Motivation.
-I have been told that if you are really relaxed you float if not you sink! So as I learn how to swim I will also be learning how to really relax my body. This will help me to finally be rid of my tendency to panic attacks and tight muscles brought on by sustained stress. Another motivation is the deep longing to maintain healthy lungs and a well oxygenated body through breathing techniques. It will increase blood flow and oxygen supply to my organs which will combat some of the effects of my sickle-cell anemia.

-Gain a toned slim body and a strong back and bones, physical strength and resistance.
-Refresh myself under the hot sun during those arid summers, and enjoy the beauty of the seas and lakes of this planet.
-Be better equipped to work as a leader in children's camps, protect myself and others around water.

The right conditions.
-Sessions with an understanding but firm teacher who transmits trust and confidence. A warm calm pool with a deepness that goes up to your chest. You must be comfortable and not afraid that people will bump and knock you in the pool.
-Swimming aids that help you to keep buoyant, that you can remove gradually as you learn how to float and control you movements in the water. They must allow you to move freely and to make swimming movements with your hands and legs, so I do not recommend hand held floats; I recommend a foam swimming belt, arm bands and a swimming sausage.

I have just got home from my fourth one to one swimming lesson. My calf muscles ache with every movement, my back, shoulders and arms do not yet, but last week by this time they did.

I have been taught how to move my legs and arms so that I stay afloat. When I tire I am taught how to fill my lungs with air, go under the water and blow out air bubbles and come back up. This is gradually giving me confidence as I see that getting out of breath when swimming does not mean that all is over!

I am allowed to experiment and just play in the water. I can hold on to the sides
when I want as I get a feel of how much buoyancy I have with and without my swimming aids. Then my teacher holds me away from the sides a little so that I have to use my arms and legs to advance, when I am very close to the edge she lets go of me so that I control my buoyancy a very short while. Then my aids were taken off me for a very, very short while so that I could sense how my level of relaxation, hand and body movements affected my ability to stay afloat.

If I continue to make this progress we believe that I will be swimming by the 20th lesson. Then I can move on to my next challenge!

Learn more about this author, Saron Maramo.
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