College class has PE classes on its curriculum. This time, it's going to be swimming for me. Sad thing is, I don't know how to float, let alone swim. I'm gonna drown. :|
Swimming is actually pretty easy, once you get over the fear.
Swimming - Treading Water:Stay afloat without spending much energy. Very similar movements to walking; the goal is to apply downward force while spending as little energy as possible.
Step 1) Point your legs downward, kick them gently from side to side at the knees and ankles. One leg should be forward, the other backward, and they should alternate like if you were walking.
Step 2) Make scoops with your hands, and move them in a small figure eight while pushing slightly downward at against the water. Kinda like you're moving them over a medium-sized sportsball (your know, those things people use to play The Sports).
Step 3) Repeat. Once you're comfortable, you can slow down your movements to further conserve energy. If you get tired, rest on the water by floating on your back (detailed below).
Step 4) Breath deeply, and keep air in your body for added buoyancy.
Swimming - Moving in the water:Swimming - Diving and Moving Underwater:Swimming underwater can be fun, and a useful skill. The complicated part is that your nose will let water in if you don't take precautions. If you don't have goggles, you can overcome you body's reflex to close your eyes with practice too, and see normally while underwater. You may need to pop your ears as well, if you dive deep.
Step 1) Take a few good breaths, so your blood is nice and oxygen-rich. Some crazy free-divers and indigenous peoples hyperventilate first to maximize dive time, but that is thoroughly not recommended for new swimmers, as you can pass out if you overdo it.
Step 2) Close your eyes, and exhale slowly from your nose while you submerge your head underwater. The goal is to always keep a tiny stream of air going out your nose to keep water out, while also keeping your hands free. Eventually, you can learn to hold just a tiny bubble of air in your nose, using your throat muscles, but don't worry about that for now. Alternatively, you can plug your nose with a hand, but this limits your maneuverability underwater. If you're ever swimming inverted (facing upwards) you'll need to exhale heavily or plug your nose to keep the water out.
Step 3) I like swimming using a modified breaststroke that resembles how a frog swims. Use your abdominal muscles (like if you were doing Crunches) to adjust your dive angle.
Step 4) To surface quickly when the bottom is in reach, stand on the bottom and jump off it, kicking with your feet.
Swimming - Floating On Your Back:Once you're comfortable swimming, you can rest on the water indefinitely! This takes a while to master. It's easier if you have a spotter to hold you up at first. Note you won't be entirely above the water, but your face should remain that way.
Step 1) Take a very deep breath for maximum buoyancy, and tilt your head back so your ears are in the water, but your face is above it.
Step 2) Using your hands and feet, orient yourself so your body is parallel with the water's surface, and your stomach is pointing up.
Step 3) Spread out you legs and arms along the surface of the water, with your hands facing upward, for maximum surface tension/buoyancy. This will make it easier to float.
Step 4) Kick your feet and move your arms once in a while, to orient yourself, or maintain buoyancy if you're in uneven water.
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