Can You Swim?

I am always surprised when I meet people who say "Oh, I can't swim." Growing up, we were all taught that just as a matter of course. It wasn't an option, it was just something one did, and we spent time swimming in the summer in local ponds.

So, can you swim? When did you learn? If not, why not? Do you maybe live in a desert where there is no real opportunity to swim? It mystifies me!

Can't swim. Won't even take a bath. Showers only for this girl.

I voted yes, I don't even remember learning I just always seemed to swim. I made sure both my kids could swim from a young age since we built a pool, I think anybody should know how to swim, its just a safety thing.

I can swim (learned at school) but I did not practice a lot and I am easily scared. It's OK in a swimming pool but in the sea I stay next to the shore.

I would love to learn and swim well though. Perhaps if I would swim better, I wouldn't be scared of water. I fully agree it's a safety thing.

In my bath, no problem :D

I swim, and like you Karen, it surprises me how many people can't. :(

Growing up along the shore - it was just something we all did naturally. I was quite young, and learned to swim in Narragansett Bay, since we were always out on Dad's boat. I also did a lot with friends in the summer, since we lived right by a pond.

When my kids were growing up, we had a big above ground pool, and they were taught to swim there. I believe everyone should learn to swim - even if it's only enough to just get by. You never know when it might save your life in an unexpected emergency. Even folks that don't live near water, can still take swimming lessons at the Y.

I can't remember NOT knowing how to swim. Seems like I've just always done it. But, when I was about 9, my Mom did enroll us kids in swimming lessons. We already knew how, but she wanted us to learn lifesaving skills, etc.

My Mom is deathly afraid of water. She even hates getting her face wet in the shower. When I mom was very little, her older sister fell off a horse and drowned. :( Mom made sure all her kids could swim.

Mom had us take swimming lessons each summer when we were little. Mostly so we were out of her hair for a little while during the day, I think. :) However, she wanted to make sure we knew the basics since we lived around water. I love being in the water... and while I don't use my swim techniques that I learned way back then, I can float for hours! LOL

I'm a floater... have always loved floating around. As long as I don't panic, I can literally float all day.

I come from a family of river rats. Knowing how to swim is a requirement.
My sister and I had to take swimming lessons as soon as we were old enough. I hated them at the time, but I am now very glad I was taught to swim at a young age.

I can float - LOL! I was the youngest of 5 kids. Somehow, no one ever taught me, or, I was maybe scared so they didn't make me. Yes, I was SPOILED! :D

I did learn the basics later on in life.

Anyway, I do love the water, pools, ocean, etc. However, I am very careful and don't go in the deep end much. I am not a strong swimmer.

My husband (ex now) and I did make sure both of our kids could swim. He was actually a life guard in high school and college.

I do ok in a pool, but wouldn't swim in a river.One thing I never learned
was how to dive.:o I took my kids to swimmimg lessons & they both love
the water.

Yes, I swim. And as a couple others have said, I can't remember when I didn't know how.

Grew up in Rhode Island, and went to the beach all the time. Lots of lake swimming in New England, also.

yes and no. I can swim if I'm in a pool or something and think to myself "I'm gonna swim to over there". However if I ever get knocked off of a float or trip over my own feet, I instantly turn stupid. I was in a friends pool once and fell off of a float. I was flailing around like crazy thinking I was gonna drown when she grabbed my arm and said "just stand up, dummy!" it was a 4-foot deep pool and I was a 5 foot tall person.:o Honestly I just don't like water much deeper than I am so I stick to the shallows when swimming or keep my butt in the boat!

I took lessons all through my childhood, and I guess I learned the strokes once upon a time, but I can't do them now....I'm confident in a pool and in the ocean up to a certain point, but I am not what I would consider a strong swimmer at all....

I can't imagine not learning how to swim. Cameron was swimming before he was walking. My whole family was/is like that.

I am a strong swimmer, and it always amazed mom that I had absolutely zero interest in swimming competetively.

I took swimming lessons each summer for a few years. The Red Cross would offer the lessons for free. I went from Beginner through Senior Life Saving..... At the time, I hated the obligation but am glad now that we were given the opportunity to learn how to save a life - maybe our own.

I still have my first button (given out at the end of each level)...... and I would wear it to work when I worked for the law firm .... just to kill them a little. They thought I was nuts for wearing it.... like... "How stupid, a Beginner Swimmer Button"..... but I did it just to let the attorneys know that it was OK to be human.

I don't know why I have only that button....and not the others..... oh well.

So, yes, I can swim and would suggest that everyone learn how to swim.
:)