Can you Forget How To Swim?

Many people have already asked themselves this question, whether after ten years or ten months. Fortunately, the quick answer is no. The lengthier answer requires some commitment and patience, but these top suggestions for coming back to swimming after a long break will help you on your way back to the pool.

Strengthen your core.

Although swimming works practically every muscle in the body, from the neck to the legs, it is primarily the core that is in charge of coordinating all of the parts. Working on core strength is essential before reintroducing the types of movements you’ll be doing when swimming. Even if your body is no longer accustomed to swimming freestyle or backstroke, a strong spine will give you the foundation you require to reintroduce your old strokes.

Fortunately, there are a number of exercises you can do outside of the pool to begin strengthening your core before returning to the pool, such as volleyball or planks.

Practice keeping your head above water.

When you’re ready to go to the pool, it’s essential to take things as slowly as you need to. Can you lose your ability to swim with your head in or out of the water? You should not expect to perform at the same level the first time you return to the pool after a long vacation, regardless of whether you were on your water polo team when you were younger or used to swim in the sea every summer.

Instead, warm up outside the pool before cautiously stepping in until your feet are no longer touching the ground. Try to keep your head above water while swimming left or right. This can assist to awaken your instincts as a swimmer and make you feel more confident in the water. If you don’t feel ready to jump right in, you can start in the shallow end and work your way down.

Start with Breaststroke

Although everyone has a preferred swimming technique, breaststroke is usually a decent place to start when tackling your first lap. Breaststroke not only allows you to maintain your head above the water and gaze ahead, but it is also less exhausting and will make you feel more at ease in the water, especially if you are apprehensive. Just keep in mind that swimming with your head above the water can cause neck strain in the long run.

Chose a Quiet Lane

The anxieties you may feel upon returning to swimming after a lengthy layoff will usually dissipate after a few laps back and forth to familiarise yourself with your technique. It may still be beneficial to choose a more calm and less crowded lane so that you can move as slowly as you like and stop anytime you need to without blocking other swimmers.

Set Realistic Goals

Even if you’re most concerned about forgetting your freestyle, swimming isn’t all about technique. It is a sport that involves a particular level of physical ability and endurance, so instead of racing from one end of the pool to the other, consider swimming one lap at a time and resting in between. Increase it to two at a time as you become more comfortable, and so on.

It could take you one session or weeks to remember your prior technique; it all depends on your previous skill of swimming. This is why it’s critical to create realistic goals that are in line with your abilities and ambitions.