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I agree with you Allen. Before I arrived in Greensboro to attend college I had had to teach myself to swim. In my college the requirement was to increase your swimming level by at least one level. That refining of my "raw" skills landed me my summer job as a lifeguard for several years. It's a shame how PE programs have been minimized in the last few years.

Dude, if you enjoy swimming, you should consider taking the next big step. SCUBA. I bet you'd love it as much as my son and I do. {;-)

Eric, I've tried snorkling. Hearing myself breathe underwater kind of creeps me out but maybe I could get used to it.
A couple of my colleagues, Herb Everett and Susan Ladd, are really into SCUBA, so who knows?

Allen, When I went to Ga. Tech we were required to take "Drownproofing (description follows). It was absolutely terrifing but worthwhile. I couldn't believe how many people couldn't swim.

From 1936 to 1987, Tech offered a class called Drownproofing, which was required for graduation. The class was developed by Coach Fred Lanoue for the Naval School which was located at Georgia Tech prior to and during WWII. He taught students how to float in water for extended periods of time with ankles and wrists bound, how (unbound) to swim 50 yards (46 meters) underwater, and other water survival skills. At the time it was considered a prime example of the difficulty of Tech's curriculum, and referred to in jest by students as "Drowning 101".[

Allen,

I didn't know you had relatives in Virginia Beach - yep lots of water up there.

My daughter was born in Virginia Beach and was in a water babies class at 9 months old at the local Y. I had her in summer lessons since age 4 until she became a strong swimmer. There are several drownings at the beach each year so we considered this a necessary life skill early on. Most parents near the beach start lessons early.

We have a friend up there with a boat - he still can't swim even after the Navy tried to teach him - we would dock and put him out on a rope and tube - "Ronnie on a rope" - just like "soap on a rope".

I just saw on TV this week that the Jamestown YMCA offers adult swimming lessons. Allen, your relatives can probably take lessons up there.

Thomas,

Thanks for sharing that story. I consider myself a good swimmer, but would not like Drownproofing. Sounds similar to swimming with your street clothes and shoes on.

"Eric, I've tried snorkling. Hearing myself breathe underwater kind of creeps me out but maybe I could get used to it."

I got into SCUBA when we did an evening outing with my Boy Scout troop, giving them an intro to it at Smith High's pool. They started us out with snorkels, then took us one at a time for short stints underwater in the shallow end with the SCUBA equipment. It was exactly like breathing through a snorkle, only you now had the freedom to go anywhere and not worry with holding your breath. Talk about getting hooked!

"A couple of my colleagues, Herb Everett and Susan Ladd, are really into SCUBA, so who knows?"

Warning. Don't ask any diver about SCUBA unless you have at least a half-hour to blow listening to how fun it is. My son and I have done over 50 fives each, and our deepest was 100 ft on a fighter plane wreck off Oahu. I have stories... well maybe some other time. Cheers!