The Quickest Way to Learn Swimming Without a Coach

I am a 17 almost 18-year-old who has finally learned how to swim only a few weeks ago. I did it without instructors or my parents' or siblings' help. Here is a guide on how you can learn to swim just by following your instincts.

Understanding Your Body's Instincts

Swimming is a natural skill that our bodies have. It’s a survival instinct that is deeply ingrained in us. Every time I've gone to the pool, I tried to force myself to swim with the technique my parents or teachers taught me, but it turned out that swimming is easier to do with the movements you think are best.

Using the Momentum and Your Body's Instincts

My whole life, I have rarely visited pools, but every time I do, I attempt to swim, but my technique is wrong. Initially, I tried to swim with the duck leg movements, where one leg goes up as the other goes down, but I realized that swimming is much easier when you just jump and use your body's natural momentum. When you push off the wall, let your body sink a little, and then let your instincts take over. Don't panic, and relax. You might find this sounds counterintuitive, as many think that sinking means you won't be able to swim, but that's not correct. Just lay horizontally, let your body sink, and then let your body move on its own.

Failure and Instincts

A crucial part of learning to swim without any instruction is failing. Start by using the wall's momentum to push yourself. Once you are horizontal, don't try to hold onto a perfect horizontal position. Just relax, let your body sink a little, and follow your instincts. Try different movements without overthinking or following others' techniques. Even if some movements don't push you forward, you can still stand up and try again.

My Personal Experience

For me, what works is simple:

Arms: My arms movement involves putting them forward together and then splitting the water. Legs: In my country, this is called the frog style, where I bend my legs toward my body and then kick them back.

Initially, I struggled with the traditional duck leg movements. What I discovered was that all I needed was a different swimming style. And even though I can now swim, I still don't know how to float upright in water, and that's okay! Just keep trying little by little.

Conclusion

Swimming can be a fun and natural experience when you let your body's instincts guide you. Don't let incorrect techniques or fear of sinking prevent you from learning to swim. Use the wall's momentum, relax, and follow your body's natural movements. With time and practice, you will develop a clear and effective swimming technique that works best for you.