As Ramamdan started, my Tunisian teacher took a break as it would have been difficult for her to manage teaching during Ramadan. I, however, decided to continue because I felt that any break would not be good for my progress in the water. I started going to pool with my 11 year old, or occasionally by myself. My family and friends did say that I shouldn’t be alone in the pool with a floating device, not very safe. Then one night as I was alone, on the deep side, my floating tube got away from me, there was a whoosh of air, for a few seconds I didn’t notice. Then once I did notice, panic set in and I had the scare of my life. Luckily those swimming lessons kicked in, and I was able to get to the edge, (I was close to it anyway). 

After the incident I decided to take my helper to the pool every time I went. After a couple of visits, she mentioned that she knew how to swim as she had grown up near the sea. This was a gift from God, and I thanked my lucky stars and asked her to help me with my swimming. Fast forward three weeks, I am swimming the breaststroke without any floating device, on the shallow side, but I still have to learn how to lift my head out of water and get a breath in. I am thinking I might just get a snorkel to help me perfect my technique, but nonetheless learning how to breathe while swimming is still essential to swimming. For anyone out there interested in swimming I have a few pieces of advice:

Get a good teacher or enroll in a class

Learn to be comfortable in water on the shallow side

Learn to hold your breath under water with the goggles on

Learn how to tread water with the assistance of your teacher and the pool noodle

Don’t give up, swimming is not difficult. It is an entirely different skill that anyone can learn]

Once your start taking lessons, give yourself time. 

Do not take a long break from your swimming lessons. Remember practice makes perfect, and you will be swimming in no time if you just stick with it

Any skill in life requires hard work, persistence, and some time.  I remember my teacher picked up my extreme aquaphobia early on and worked with me to get over the panic. If I can be in water and do even small stretches in the pool without a floating device, anyone can do it. Now adays, physical activity is a necessity just as crucial as healthy food or clean air.  We should all have some physical activity in our lives, even if it is just some basic walking.