Is it too late to learn to swim?

Swimming is a life skill, and a low impact, full body fitness activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It is a great summer sport and is relatively low cost.

Below are some of the reasons why we love swimming, as well as some tips to help get you get started on your swimming journey:

Swimming is a great summer fitness activity

Perth summer is divine, but it sure does get hot! Swimming is a great fitness activity that you can do at any time of the day. When it is hot outside you can keep cool (and fit) in the pool. Plus having strong swimming skills will ensure you can safely enjoy other fun summer water activities.

Swimming is a full body workout

Swimming gives you a full body workout as your legs, upper body and core are engaged to move you through the water. Different swim strokes recruit different muscle groups but in general your back, shoulders, core, glutes and quads are used for all strokes.

Swimming is low impact

Swimming is a great low impact fitness activity that will enable you to keep fit with minimal stress on your bones and joints - a fitness activity that you can enjoy for years to come. It will help you to build endurance and muscle strength, it will improve your cardiovascular fitness, and keep your heart and lungs healthy.

Swimming is a life skill

Swimming is a life skill that can bring a lifetime of positive experiences including spending time at the beach, on boats or in friends’ pools, kayaking or surfing. 

Some tips to help get you started: 

Get yourself some gear

You don’t have to spend a small fortune on the latest gear, just a few quality items will make a big difference. Get yourself some comfortable bathers that fit your body well and allow you to move freely in the water, a good pair of goggles that fit around your head well and won’t fog up, a swim cap will also help keep you streamlined in the water and keep your hair out of your face. 

Start small

If you’ve made the commitment that you want to learn to swim, start with making smaller commitments to build momentum and confidence. For example you might decide to have a swimming lesson once a week then swim on your own once a week for four weeks, after that you might choose to increase the length of time you swim on your own, after some time you might add an additional swimming day each week, and so on.

Be consistent

Consistency is key, especially when you are learning something new. Even if you are making what feels like small steps in progress, these will add up and all of a sudden, things will start to click. Know that it will take some time, but being patient and consistent will get you there. Most of all enjoy the process of learning a new skill.

It is never too late to learn to swim! 

Don’t miss out on this fantastic fitness activity, it is never too late to start.

Try an Adult Beginners swim class; a private one on one swim lesson, or a group lesson. Once you’ve mastered the basics you can jump in the pool on your own and enjoy the meditative effects of swimming laps, as well as the increased fitness.

Swim lanes at HBF Stadium are divided by pace, so you can easily find a lane that suits your desired pace and perhaps find yourself some swimming friends of similar ability! 

Get swimming at HBF Stadium, click here find out more about our pools and swimming options.