i-want-more

So I have swum (after a fashion) in the past, but I knew it was a less than graceful effort. If water splashed onto my face, I became panicky. My back and neck would ache like hell afterwards.

A couple of years ago there was an article in Time Out about a swimming technique called the Shaw Method, which was founded by an ex-professional swimmer. He retired from the sport after a serious neck injury and devised this method, using the basic principles of the Alexander Technique as a starting point. He argued that most swimmers were, at best, swimming inefficiently and at worst, causing themselves long-term injury to their necks and backs through poor technique. This way of swimming was also ideal for non-swimmers or for those with a fear of water. I classed myself in both of those categories. Recently, the idea of trying to swim properly occurred to me again, and I booked onto a ‘confidence building’ course.

Last night, I found myself in a tiny (and very warm) swimming pool in Swiss Cottage at my first Art of Swimming class. The other students’ reasons for fear of water were very similar to mine. Within an hour, I found myself gliding from one side of the pool to the other with my face entirely submerged. I've never managed to do that before.

It’s early days and I’m not going to get complacent: this is just week one of five (I’m having to miss one class owing to another commitment, much to my chagrin) – however, I came out of the class yesterday feeling really amazed at what I’d managed to achieve.