Well here's the story. Me and My fiance both want to get certified, the problem, is she's not a very good swimmer, we went and did a discover scuba, to see if she can handle being underwater, and she did great. But when we got ready to the 200 yard swim, she had alot of trouble, i think she can do it, but now i'm worried about her being able to do the 10 min. tread. I'm probably going to get her in some lessons, but do any of you instructors have any advice that will help her out, or anything i can do. Thanks alot.
OW cert. help for a not Good Swimmer
- Thread starter mpd525
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The most important thing is to relax. You don't have to be a competive trained swimmer to dive. What you need to be is relaxed and comfortable in the water. Treading water can be tiring, which makes it a good exercise
Like anything else, good technique helps. Often times you will find that the tread water thing involves more floating than anything else. The key is to relax and move efficiently.
Like anything else, good technique helps. Often times you will find that the tread water thing involves more floating than anything else. The key is to relax and move efficiently.
Mthelming
Contributor
As a former competitive swimmer......I floated during the 10 min. "tread" Just kick back and talk to pass the time.
I think you're on the right track about getting her some swimming lessons. If nothing else, go to the local pool and practice. She's probably freaked out about doing the swims too so practicing will increase her comfort level and give her some confidence! It's great to hear that she was comfortable underwater - that is more than half the battle! Learning to relax in the water will take some time but if she really wants to learn to dive, take the time to practice in the water!
Best of luck to both of you!
PF
Best of luck to both of you!
PF
diver 85
Contributor
mpd525:
No advice here only encouragement..... My wife had the same problem way back when....She did great in her classes & probably graded out better than my daughter(on a swim team from ages 8 thru 11 or so) & I did @ OW checkout dives( in limited viz-2 to 4')....I'm sure others will give the advice, mine only would be to practice & practice more(my wife had the advantage of our house pool & really worked @ swimming & treading constantly for a while).......good luck.......
well i wish i had a pool right now, i'm so anxious, but i refuse to get certified until she can do it. She keeps telling me too, because it's something i've always wanted to do, but now have the time and finances to devote, but i refuse to do it until she can. So basically practice in the water to get her comfy, is all that will help. Anybody know any swimming instructors in oklahoma around tulsa.
Damselfish
Contributor
Just a thought, only you know your situation but to "refuse to get certified until she can do it" may just put more unneeded pressure on her and not help things. Nor will you being anxious (not sure what you are anxious about exactly?)
If she is telling you to do it maybe you should - it's possible she isn't as gung ho to get certified as you think, or she just needs to do it all in her own good time. It's important not to pressure someone to learn to dive.
If she is telling you to do it maybe you should - it's possible she isn't as gung ho to get certified as you think, or she just needs to do it all in her own good time. It's important not to pressure someone to learn to dive.
Its not the diving part, she really wants to do it, but it's the swimming thing that's killing her, it was originally her idea to get the certification, i always wanted to do it, but was afraid she wouldn't and didn't want to do it, then we were driving around, and she said hey lets stop and talk to them about diving, so i said sure. She's been really disappointed about the swimming thing because she knows its the one thing that is holding her back. She'll do it eventually, to hard headed, especially when she can't do something, she won't quit till she does.
twilson021
Registered
just a little moral support for her, i hadnt been swimming for more years than I could count and was very worried that i wouldn't be able to do the 200 m or the tread water for 10 min. well I found that by taking it slow at my pace (dont make a race out of it)and switching from back stroke to breast stroke and vis versa that the swim went real well and the talking while treading water made a big difference in how fast the time went by. i did a lot of floating on my back to get thru that too. You on the other hand should get your certification. my husband got his ahead of me as my work schedule prevented us from doing it together, and I am presantly following him. I go for my OW dives in 10 days. my main motivator besides wanting to do this for myself was to get my certification so that we could dive together. you can go thru the classes at the same time which would be much more fun for both of you and you can encourage her along the way.
hope this helps! good luck!
hope this helps! good luck!
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