Swimming progress after a year

Today was my last swimming lesson at my gym here in Toyohashi before moving to Tokyo next month. Since I document everything I can look back at my first lesson back in July 2021.

First lesson July 16 2021

It was really hard to muster the confidence to go into the swimming lesson. It also didn’t help much when I went in and saw that I was the only guy in a group of grandmas. It also didn’t help when I realized I was the worst in the group.

I couldn’t float. I couldn’t kick. I was uncomfortable in the water. I could barely do any of the parts of the 30-minute lesson while all the grandmas did great. It wasn’t supposed to help my confidence but it kind of did. It was a humbling experience and the grandmas were pretty supportive.

Between the first lesson and the final lesson I attended the same 30-minute lesson around 20 times and went to practice by myself another 30+ times.

Final lesson May 27
I managed to do all the parts of the full 30-minute beginner course. I am more comfortable in the water, I am more confident in the water and I enjoy being in the pool. My swimming sensei was happy with the progress especially my improvement with my kicks.

I also made a great friend in Mr. M at the lessons. Mr. M is more than 65. He looks almost identical to Watari from death note. He was a chef before retiring. He is a pro swimmer. Even though he is a great swimmer every time I did the beginner course, he used to come join the group and practice his English with me. Before leaving today I asked him if he had any advice on my swimming. I expected some technical advice since he is a pro swimmer but all he said was ‘‘Believe in yourself. Every time you jump in the water, believe in yourself.”

Although I made progress it has been slower compared to my running. Swimming certainly has been the toughest thing I have learned as an adult. I am not even close to where I want to be in terms of my swimming but at least I can call myself a beginner.