How long does it take to learn to swim?

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 The answer is complicated.  For a person who is really eager to learn and has no reservations of being in the water, can swim proficiently with about 4 lessons.  For those scared of the water, it does take a bit longer and depending on age, it can take some tricks too.  It is quite important for the instructor to see that they are afraid so that the introduction to water feeling safe is an initial achievement of the student.  Safety in water (Jump, push, turn, grab)... jump into the water, Turn towards the wall, and grab onto it.  

Second is the ability to float... everyone can float, however, not all are equally buoyant, therefore, you may have to teach some tricks to be successful.  Observation of your student can be quick such as a very thin person/child or if their chest is sunken, these individuals will have a harder time floating and placing their arms above their head will change the center point of buoyancy and their feet will not sink as quickly. The head, as I have mentioned before, is the main controller of the direction the body will follow.  so lifting the chin towards the sky/ceiling will lift the feet in the float, ears must be in the water... and the final component of floating is to relax, if you are tense, you will sink.  By relaxing, you are allowing the water to hold you up.  Initial movement through the water (Glide, float, glide)... glide off the wall, by pushing in a streamline position, floating for a few seconds, and then gliding back to the wall.

Third would be the moving throughout the water beyond what a glide can get you... using a kick and arm strokes.  Broken into segments of kicking in streamline, add breathing, finally add arms.  (reach and pull)(kick, kick, kick) Breath out in the water, when getting a breath, turn head to side without lifting head up (don't want those feet to sink!)

There are plenty of tricks to learn along the way of getting the results from the person you are teaching, that you pick up along the way, and not all will respond the same, so you have to keep your persistence in finding new ways to obtain the same goal.

Anyhow, I don't believe in charging people to get them to swim in the slowest possible time, to continue to make an income off of one person.  I want everyone to learn as quickly as possible so I can give attention to the next person or group.  Then, once they have practiced and are doing great, I can observe and offer drills and pointers to perfect a stroke or time if that is your goal.


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