What comes to mind when we see someone swimming with ease and grace? A fish in the water', 'water-baby', 'natural swimmer' these are the sort of terms we use. What separates such swimmers from those who are merely competent is clearly not just style or technique. They give the impression that there are no psychological barriers preventing them from interacting with the water in a complete and satisfying way. By contrast, one of the main obstacles in learning the art of swimming is the uncertainty that is so often felt about relating to the water. This ranges from persistent mild unease to attacks of sudden panic. The former constrains our freedom to explore the aquatic environment, and the latter can be as debilitating as full-scale aquaphobia. At either end of the spectrum, the thought of being surrounded by alien medium results in feelings of psychological and physical discomfort. One can know how to swim, and even consider oneself a good swimmer, without feeling completely at home in the water.
Being at home in the water is a matter of trust. Trust in the water's ability to support the body without the need for us to hold ourselves up. Trust in our own ability to maneuver efficiently in a fluid medium. This trust comes about through understanding and familiarity. It needs to be cultivated and positively reinforced by our experience with water. Yet unfortunately our confidence is often undermined by attitudes which we find hard to shake off. Recurring mistrust of the water and about our ability to negotiate it are self-fulfilling. But too often, such anxieties are swept under the carpet. Teachers and guidebooks don't deal adequately, if at all, with these issues. Swimmers themselves often trivialize and even deny them in the belief that they are best dealt with by being minimized or ignored. But the results of doing this can be far from trivial: it allows unhelpful reactions and feelings to be reinforced. To avoid such a scenario, anxieties of all kinds relating to swimming should always be dealt with sympathetically and appreciated for what they are.
Fear of water is not the same as respect for water. Even the strongest of swimmers needs to have a healthy respect for water and an awareness of its hazards. Powerful tides and currents - and in some waters, marine animals like sharks and jellyfish - can mean real danger for swimmers who don't heed warnings or take sensible precautions. It's foolish to take unnecessary risks or to be insufficiently prepared in any aquatic situation. Intelligence dictates that we acknowledge our limitations vis-a-vis the water and always take appropriate safety measures. Whilst accidents can occur as a result of misplaced over-confidence, fear itself is often the main factor that prevents us making an intelligent response. Fear can paralyze us both mentally and physically. It interferes with our breathing and our ability to control our movements, and stops us thinking clearly enough to maneuver our way out of danger. Over the longer term too, the dulling nature of unresolved anxieties and the cumulative effects of fear get in the way of intelligent learning and a creative response to our immediate situation.
Being At Home In The Water
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