How Many Weeks Does It Take To Learn To Swim?

Do you know how to swim? Swimming is one of life’s essential skills, yet 17% of Americans can’t swim! This percentage amounts to one in five people! If you are among this percentage, it’s never too late, and you can learn how to swim in a short time. So, how long will it take to learn how to swim? The answer is that it depends on the individual and circumstances. Some adults learn in three weeks, others take a month, and some might take a year. Here is a breakdown of the factors affecting how long it takes when you take swimming classes in Ottawa.

Is there a Maximum Age Limit?

There is no maximum age limit when learning how to swim. Some people avoid swimming because they believe they are past the learning age. There is no maximum age limit to swimming, whether you are three years or eighty years old. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise as we age, as water is low-impact and has resistance, keeping you lean, flexible, and strong.

The Steps Involved in Learning Swimming

When you start taking swimming lessons, you go through three stages:

1. Gaining Confidence: Most people are terrified of water, and that’s normal. Some people get scared of getting into the pool for the first couple of weeks. An excellent coach should guide you through this fear and give you the confidence you need to go to the next stage.
2. Laying the Foundation: In this stage, you learn basic skills. You master floating, controlling yourself in water, kicking on your back and front, streamlining, etc.
3. Techniques: The final stage is where you learn to swim the full strokes, like back and front crawl. You also learn other skills like dives and tumble-turns

The length of time spent in each stage depends on various factors such as:

Fear

As mentioned, some people have a great fear of water. How long it takes to learn to swim depends on how fast you can conquer your fear, and getting used to the water depends on your fear level. The quicker you can overcome the fear, the faster you learn how to swim.

How to swim faster depends on your starting angle. If you have some experience, like a few lessons in your past, you might progress more quickly than a person with zero experience. Two students might start from scratch, but one fears water, and the other does not. The former will take longer to learn.

Consistency

Swimming is a lot like riding a bike; the more you swim, the better you become at it. You have to go for your lessons back to back consistently. If you take too much time in between, you erode the effectiveness of the classes. Consistency will primarily determine how much time you take to learn how to swim, and it goes hand in hand with practice. An adult who practices what they have learned will learn faster than one who waits for lessons only.

Attitude

You will take longer if you have the wrong attitude towards swimming and your ability to learn. Maintain a positive attitude and take corrections with grace. A person willing to learn is a better student than one who is always grumpy and complaining when things don’t go their way. If you keep telling yourself you are too old to learn, guess what? It will take you longer to learn.

Getting the Right Instructor

A great instructor will speed up your learning. They’ll have tons of experience, skills, and knowledge gained over years of teaching. Go for an instructor who specializes in teaching adults how to swim and who can create a custom plan for you. We all progress at different paces, so the instructor should go with what works for you rather than what they think is good for you.

Going at Your Pace 

When choosing a swimming school, go for one that does not emphasize following schedules but individual goals. Do not compare yourself with other students, but celebrate your small individual wins. Some students learn faster, and you should not worry if you cannot keep up with their pace. Go slow and be comfortable with your pace.

Learning how to swim has no timeline or age limit. However, it’s best to choose an experienced swimming instructor who can customize your lessons, teach you at your pace, and you will learn in no time!