I, Marci Shatzman, just learned how to float at age 75. Better late than never.
My mother swam like the proverbial fish, so I was always ashamed that all I could do was a sidestroke.
Luckily, the folks at Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton came to my rescue. Literally. They offered to give me six gratis private swimming lessons if I would write about my experience.
Who can say no to drowning prevention? Maybe my story will encourage someone else to take the plunge and learn now to swim.
Back to the pool…With a newbie on his hands, aquatics instructor Scott taught me how to breathe under water.
Was I scared? Not after I saw a class of moms and babies taking to swimming like minnows and happy to be splashing around. One toddler even pushed dad away. He didn’t even need his help.
After practice, practice, practice, I mastered how to breathe with my face in the water. That was a biggie. Lesson #2, I started kicking and learning how to use my arms.
Am I comfortable and coordinated? Not yet. But Scott used a bunch of noodles to teach me how to float. I was proud I only ended up with one behind my back.
Watch this space for my next lesson, and a report from the front.
And thank you for supporting the Y’s Annual Giving Campaign that provides Financial Assistance scholarships to those in need so they are able to participate in life-saving programs, such as swim lessons at the Y.
Luckily, the folks at Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton came to my rescue. Literally. They offered to give me six gratis private swimming lessons if I would write about my experience.
Who can say no to drowning prevention? Maybe my story will encourage someone else to take the plunge and learn how to swim.
Back to the pool…With a newbie on his hands, aquatics instructor Scott taught me how to breathe under water.
Was I scared? Not after I saw a class of moms and babies taking to swimming like minnows and happy to be splashing around. One toddler even pushed dad away. He didn’t even need his help.
After practice, practice, practice, I mastered how to breathe with my face in the water. That was a biggie. Lesson #2, I started kicking and learning how to use my arms.
Am I comfortable and coordinated? Not yet. But Scott used a bunch of noodles to teach me how to float. I was proud I only ended up with one behind my back.
Watch this space for my next lesson, and a report from the front.
And thank you for supporting the Y’s Annual Giving Campaign that provides Financial Assistance scholarships to those in need so they are able to participate in life-saving programs, such as swim lessons at the Y.
Marci S.
UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2021
Using a noodle to help you stay buoyant isn’t cheating. Neither are fins. Whatever floats your boat, my aquatics instructor Scott assured me at my final swimming lesson.
I had reasonable goals at my age and given my limitations. I never expected to jump off a diving board or qualify for the Olympics.
So, thanks to Scott and the YMCA, I learned how to breath under water. How to float, even with a touch of vertigo. And how to sidestroke properly. My mother would be proud.
Can you learn how to swim as a grownup? Absolutely. The Y offers lessons for us late bloomers. ttps://www.ymcaspbc.org/programs/aquatics/swimlessons
What’s next for me? Joining the Y to take water aerobics classes. I passed a pool full of women my age having way too much fun, every time I was there.
Marci S.