How To Prepare To Start Swimming As An Adult Beginner

At Swim Generation, over the last 15 years, we have helped thousands of students learn to conquer their fear of water and learn to swim. Our highly qualified and experienced coaches are well-versed in helping beginners, many of whom are in later adulthood. In this article, we will help you take the practical steps needed to prepare and have the right mindset to start your swimming journey. We will share firsthand knowledge from both our coaches and the management team, who were previously highly regarded, swim coaches. When it comes to learning, you are not alone; the Institute of Swimming reports that 2.3 million adults in the UK want to learn to swim.

It’s Never Too Late To Learn

At Swim Generation, based in London, Surrey and Somerset, many of our regular visitors are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. Swim England, the national governing body for swimming, states, ‘No one should feel as though it’s too late for them to learn to swim.’ We have come across many reasons why adults may not have learned to swim; five of the most common reasons are listed below:

Lacked the opportunity to learn as a child.
Life has been too busy and not had time.
A fear of water or a bad experience.
Embarrassed and feel that they will be judged.
They feel that they have left it too late and that it is a skill that needs to be learned as a child.

‘We receive discovery calls every week from adults who want to learn to swim but believe it’s too late. We always reassure them that it’s never too late. Our highly specialised coaches have successfully supported and helped hundreds of adult beginners, many of whom are now confident, happy swimmers.’ Tara Rahilly, Operations Director.

What To Expect At Your First Swim Generation Adult Lesson?

The first swim lesson can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but at Swim Generation, we aim to ease those nerves immediately and help our swimmers feel calm and relaxed. All our coaches are vetted, qualified, and highly experienced; they will listen carefully to any of your concerns. Our swim school teaches more than 2000 swimmers each week, so we have extensive experience and have refined our approach over many years. You can expect the following when you attend one of our private or small-group adult lessons.

You will meet with your coach, who will chat with you and learn more about your goals and concerns. At Swim Generation, you will work with the same coach. This helps build a relationship, and we have found it beneficial for progress.
Building trust and confidence, creating a relaxed environment.
Coaches who teach in the water at your own pace, using easy-to-understand terms.
Individual or small classes with no more than 3 swimmers in total.
Our coaches are non-judgmental, experts in their field and highly experienced with beginners.
After the lesson, meaningful feedback, tips and what to expect in the next lesson are shared.

Our five-star reviews are a testament to the professionalism and skills of our coaching staff.

Common Fears We Have Seen

Our coaches build strong relationships with our swimmers. Below is a table listing 5 common fears that adult swimmers regularly experience and share with our coaches.

Fear	Example	Swim Generation Solution
Drowning	Aquaphobia is a common fear we often hear from our beginner adults.	Beginners always start in the shallow end; our coaches will be right beside you, and you are never rushed. In addition, you are taught recovery and safety skills from the onset. Our coaches are all STA Level 2 or equivalent and highly experienced in dealing with aquaphobia.
Putting face in water	Many people panic at the thought of having to submerge their face in water.	Progress is never forced; you will be taught breathing techniques to build confidence. Our venues are all private, luxurious and relaxing.
Self-conciousness	People, especially when older, feel embarrassed about not being able to swim and about others watching.	All our venues are private, and you will either be one-to-one or a maximum of three swimmers. Our coaches are non-judgmental and trained to make you feel at ease and create a space where you are comfortable.
Negative experience	This often occurs during childhood, and unfortunately, we learn from being pushed into water or a pool.	Our coaches will talk to swimmers before they start. During this discovery phase, coaches will learn about any negative experiences. This will enable them to create trauma-informed coaching. Our luxurious private pool locations also help relax our swimmers.
Deep water	This is another fear our coaches often hear, known as thalassophobia, the thought of deep water instantly creates fear.	Coaches will keep swimmers in the shallow end, and all progression is gradual and not rushed. It is vital that swimmers feel comfortable. Our in-water coaching helps to allay fears and speed up progression.

Self-Preparation Before Your Lesson

Swim Generation actively encourages beginners to prepare before their first session. Experience over the last 15 years has shown that it improves confidence, reduces anxiety, and yields better results more quickly. Here are five preparation steps you can complete at home.

Exercise: Lessons at Swim Generation are geared towards the swimmer and, as part of this, take your fitness level into account. However, it will help if, a few days prior to starting, you engage in light physical exercise, such as shoulder rotations and arm curls, to prepare your muscles.
Breathing: Practice inhaling and exhaling, focusing on breathing control. Exhale longer than you inhale. This can help you relax and prepare.
Shower/Bath Practice: If possible, practice putting your face in the water, gently blowing air out if you feel confident. This has been very impactful in many of our initial classes, with many swimmers surprised by the results.

More information about adult swimming is available on the Swim England website.

Common FAQs for adult beginners

How many lessons will I need?

There is no exact number; experience has taught us that we all learn at different paces. On average, 20-30 lessons help swimmers become confident in their abilities. Because our classes are small, progress is usually quick and noticeable.

Do I need to be fit?

There are no fitness prerequisites; we work with swimmers of all abilities and will tailor lessons to individual needs. Many adults who attend have not exercised for many years and comment on the mental and physical improvements they make in just a few lessons. If you have any fitness concerns, talk to your coach or our management team.

Can I progress to a specific goal?

We can tailor a lesson to any goal. Below are examples we have helped customise programmes for:

Preparation for a planned holiday to allow for pool swimming.
Training for a sponsored event.
To fulfil a life goal and be able to swim.
To be able to swim with their children or grandchildren.
To improve their general fitness and health.

Ready To Take The Plunge?

If you are an adult and have been thinking about learning to swim, contact Swim Generation to find out how we can help you achieve this goal. We will match you with the right coach at a luxurious pool, in an encouraging, non-judgmental environment. Still not sure? Contact our operations team to learn more and ask any questions you have.