Petrified but need a challenge!

[Fibik]

Hi,

I hate swimming. But I don't want to... currently getting back into the pool and trying to get stronger and more confident. Basically I have been out on 3 boats before to go snorkelling but have never made it into the water, I am PETRIFIED by the open sea (perhaps I watched Jaws too many times when I was younger). I am going away on holiday with my boyfriend in July and desperately want to go snorkelling and ENJOY it! I live in the Aylesbury/High Wycombe area - is there a snorkel teaching place nearby? And can anyone reassure me about the open sea? It would really help!!!!

Thanks

Fiona

[Tony Dwyer]

Hi,

I hate swimming. But I don't want to... currently getting back into the pool and trying to get stronger and more confident. Basically I have been out on 3 boats before to go snorkelling but have never made it into the water, I am PETRIFIED by the open sea (perhaps I watched Jaws too many times when I was younger). I am going away on holiday with my boyfriend in July and desperately want to go snorkelling and ENJOY it! I live in the Aylesbury/High Wycombe area - is there a snorkel teaching place nearby? And can anyone reassure me about the open sea? It would really help!!!!

Thanks

Fiona

Fiona

It must be difficult to have such a fear (phobia?). If you can overcome it then you will be able to really enjoy the sea.

Firstly, you need to gain confidence in the water and in my (limited :) ) experience, learning to snorkel is absolutely excellent for this.
There are lots of BSAC branches and commercial training centres, have a look at this:

http://www.bsac.com/comediving/wheretolearn.html

Many branches teach snorkelling as a distinct course, but all include basic snorkelling as part of the BSAC Diver Training Programme.

My own preference would be a branch where you can learn at your own pace.

I've been going glub, glub in the sea since I was six years old, more than fifty years! Snorkelling is very safe.
Most snorkelling from boats while on holiday will be done in relatively shallow water, close to reefs or other underwater features, in CLEAR (usually) water.
Large numbers of holiday makers from all over the world, go snorkelling while on holiday. Most of them will not have had any formal training, so the boat operators have to be really careful where they let their customers swim. If you learn to snorkel with a branch, you will be among the most skilled. :)

I once taught a non-swimmer to swim by teaching her to snorkel on the surface first! She was a buoyant as a cork!

Underwater wildlife is not generally dangerous and you are astronomically unlikely to meet a Great White shark (aka Jaws!) in any place that caters for snorkelling holiday makers. In fact you're very unlikely to see any sharks at all, of any kind. Most would count themselves blessed to see one. As a general rule, when people get into the water, sharks leave.

There is a tremendous amount of wildlife to see in shallow water, in the tropics and around the UK too. Have a go, I'm sure that once you gain confidence in the pool, you'll be fine in the sea. Did you know that you will be more buoyant in the sea. Some people need a small amount of weight (even in swimsuits) to help them sink in the salty water, especially in the Red Sea, which is one of the saltier pieces of ocean.

Best of luck. :)

Tony

[paul_c]

one thing i would say is pay out and get one on one swimming tuition. when i was little i didnt like the water that much and having this form of tuition made me a very strong swimmer and totaly at home on in or under the water.

i did go to a large pool at first wchih did mass lessons which realy unnerved me and i didnt like it.

not trying to be nasty about most pools but when your nervouse having kids jumping etc around could make it worse so one on one will allow you to have a dedicated person there keeping you calm. once you realise that the water is ok they will help you with techniqes to mkake swimming easier and more enjoyable.

i learnt with a private coach in a hotel (tunrs out he competed in the olympics at butterfly) and in the space of 1 hour he had me swimming totaly comfortably.

at the time it was £10 for 2 hours but i guess it would be more but it is worth paying out for in my opinion.

[Scary Monster]

Another thing would be to try going in the sea from the beach first. That's an awful lot less daunting than off a boat. One way of getting your confidence up for just being in and around water would be trying a leisure pool, once you're happy in a regular pool. Go with a mate and play, try the easy slides, the wave machine and the 'rapids'.

[David G]

Have a look here too:

http://www.bsacsnorkelling.co.uk/

Good Luck.

David.

[Fibik]

Thanks, guys - that's really useful stuff!

Wish me luck! I'm gonna do this if it's the last thing I ever do!

Fiona

[J-L]

Good luck then!!!:D

You really shouldnt need it though if you just take your time, and advance at your own pace......... - trust me its better than racing along with the others around you, and feeling petrified...!

Enjoy it - im sure you will!!!

jl

[Smudge]

Wish me luck! I'm gonna do this if it's the last thing I ever do!

Fiona

Good for you!! and good luck ;) Not that you'll need it with a nice positive attitude like that :)

I got lessons years ago from a number of very good instructors... and I'm still a *lousy* swimmer, BUT I am confident and happy in the water. I passed the BSAC swimming test in the slowest time I think the club had ever seen :eek:

However snorkelling and diving is like swimming with all the rubbish bits taken out, the mask stops you getting water up your nose and in your eyes most of the time(and let you see whats happening!), the fins mean you can actually propel yourself effectively and easily, the snorkel (and eventually the regulator ;) ) lets you breathe easily and comfortably... much nicer :D

As I say, I'm still a *rubbish* swimmer, but that is no obstacle, you *can* learn and you *can* enjoy it, I'm now a BSAC qualified diver and enjoying all sorts of diving. So go for it, and enjoy it! :)

[RobA]

Fiona,

St Albans Sub Aqua Club (311) has a very active snorkell membership, and runs snorkell courses on request.

We have an open air pool, used in the summer to train snorkelling as well!

Rob

[Alison Boler]

HI Fiona
Good for you for trying - I have the same fears about skiing - I turn into a gibbering, crying, wide eyed maniacal mess (who said, so what's so different from normal then???)

I would reiterate a lot of the advice above.
1. Find a mask that fits you. Go to a specialist shop and get help.
2. Get as familiar and as comfortable as possible swimming, snorkelling and playing around in a swimming pool at home. Try just standing in the shallowest end wearing your mask and snorkel, face the pool wall, hold onto it and put your face in the water and just get used to having your face in the water and breathing through the snorkel. Don't try moving away - just get used to that first. Then move away a bit and swim towards the wall, always knowing you can stand up. Progress from there.
3. Take your mask on holiday with you.
4. Start off by snorkelling off the beach, not off the boat. Treat it like the pool. Get used to doing it in water you can stand up in first. Treat the beach as the pool wall eg swim towards it whilst you are getting used to it. Then parallel to the shore, in standing depth. Don't move on until you are happy doing this.
5. If you feel like you want to snorkel from the boat, don't rush. Let the others get in and out of the way. Use the ladder, don't jump in. When you are in the water at first use the boat as the pool wall. Get yourself together before letting go of the ladder. Use the boat as the pool wall ie your point of safety. Swim to the back of it, around the back of it until you feel comfortable. Remember that with your buoyancy jacket on, you cannot sink. Prove that point to yourself before moving away from the boat.
6. If none of this works then don't beat yourself up! You can still go out on the boat with your boyfriend and have a great time together even if you can't go snorkelling with him. It is better to be happy and together than to push yourself beyond the point of comfort and be miserable.

Allie
PS I have now given up on the skiing and thoroughly enjoy such trips (enjoyed by rest of family) by sitting in the ever present delightful cafe drinking gluwein, sunbathing and watching everyone else fall over. We can't all be good at everything :)

[Patrick Galvin]

Going from beach or shallows seems great advice. I had this problem starting to dive, when i was in more open water, i'd panic and find it difficult to breathe and control myself, but going from a real shallow bay boosted my confidence.
Have fun :)