Swimming as an adult is as much fun as it ever was as a child. As the population ages, lots of clubs are springing up that are specifically dedicated to swimming adults.
These clubs are often for more than just lap swimming. Adults can still enjoy more than just following the black line up and down the pool. Other sports such as water polo and underwater hockey are attracting a huge number of people who want to continue swimming as an adult but aren't interested in traditional competition.
However, as well as all those confident swimming adults, there are a lot of us who verge on aquaphobia and need a sympathetic swim school to help us conquer our fear.
If you are ready to take the plunge and start swimming, adults should look for a dedicated course with teachers who have appropriate qualifications for teaching adults. Teaching swimming to adults is very different to teaching children. The drills, exercises and progressions used when teaching a 4-year-old are very different to those you would use to teach an adult.
What to look for in your swim classes:
When wanting to start swimming, adults should consider the following:
- What do you want from your swim classes? Do you just need the basics or are you leen to learn strokes and swim to improve your fitness?
- Do the swim teachers have the right qualifiations to teach adults?
- Are there classes that have groups of the same ability/age group?
You are never too old to start swimming. Adults can have a great time in the pool and swimming is a very low impact sport which is very good for older joints and muscles. There's no time like the present if you are going to take the plunge!