Drowning Prevention – Why You Need Swimming Lessons

Parents giving swimming lessons to their child.

Picture this: It’s a hot summer day in Ontario, the sun is beaming, and your little one and all your friends are around the pool or lake, enjoying yourselves in the cool water. Instead of feeling anxious, you’re relaxing, confident in the knowledge that they’re safe and sound, thanks to the life-saving skills they’ve gained through swimming lessons.

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Can You Teach Yourself How To Swim?

can you teach yourself how to swim

As Canadians, most of us like to visit beaches, lakes, and swimming pools especially in summer time. Afterall, we don’t get too much of the warm weather so we would like to take full advantage of it. 

Here at Coast2Coast swim, we are extremely passionate about swimming and all water activities; and we encourage everyone to also get involved with these activities. Swimming has always been one of the best ways to stay in shape for people of all ages, to stay active, and finally a fun activity to enjoy no matter if you are by yourself or with friends and family. That is why we take pride in teaching our community how to swim and stay safe in and around water. 

Coast2coast Swim offers a variety of options from public swimming classes, to private at home (mobile) swimming lessons. This allows our customers to find the most convenient and cost efficient. 

However, the question we get from time to time is “can you teach yourself how to swim?”

In short, yes. But you should know that we strongly suggest for you to sign for a training or class either at Coast2Coast swim or another reputable swimming school. This is to make sure you learn the fundamentals of swimming in the right way and that you can enjoy the water in a safe manner at all times.

A person in a black and yellow swimsuit is swimming on their back in a clear indoor pool, with arms extended overhead. The water is calm, and lane markers are visible in the background.

Teaching Yourself to Swim

Here is our suggestion on how you can try to teach swimming to yourself. Please be aware these are only suggestions and we can not guarantee your safety or skills. Swimming can be challenging. Here we go:

Start practicing your swimming in a safe environment like the shallow end of a supervised swimming pool. Never go to the deep end of the pool or swim in moving water without supervision. If you are tired, don’t practice.

The easiest stroke to learn is the front crawl. Once mastered, you can learn the three other strokes – backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke.

1. The First Step

Standing with your back against the pool, take a deep breath, lean your waist until your face is completely in the water and your ears are at the waterline. You must hold this position for 2 seconds before turning your head to one side, exhaling into the water. Now you can return to the starting position. Practice doing this a few times.

2. Learning to Inhale and Exhale

Start by holding your arms out to your side, fingers together and palms down. Now, take a deep breath, lean forward, and placing your face in the water, bring your right arm up and out of the water to your front.

As your hand contacts the water, pull your arm straight down, making a circular motion underwater and taking your hand behind you and to your right side. At this point, your palm should be facing up. Without lifting your head, turn it to the right and draw a new breath through your mouth. Now turn your head back and exhale through your mouth or nose with your face in the water.

A swimmer wearing a yellow cap and goggles is performing the butterfly stroke in a bright blue swimming pool. Water splashes around as they advance, showcasing dynamic motion and focus.

3. Practicing the Strokes and Breathing

Aim to practice the stroke and breathing exercise until you can complete one stroke with each arm and one complete breath without needing to lift your head out of the water. The idea is stroke – stroke – breath. When swimming, your arm movements propel your body, while kicking your legs prevent you from sinking.

Keep your strokes regular, and avoid looping underwater because once you are swimming, you will have to work harder to cover the same distance. The closer your body is to the surface, and the flatter it is, the less work you must do. Additionally, when you bring your arms out of the water, a flat circular motion helps save more energy than bringing them overhead.

4. Learning to Kick

Facing the side of the pool, place both your hands on the edge and extend your arms. Lift both your legs together until your arms, body, and legs are facing away from the edge in a straight line. Turning your head to one side, draw a breath through your mouth without lifting your head straight up.

With your knees held straight, kick your legs quite fast from the hip, making the smallest possible splashes. At no point should your feet come out of the water. While you are doing this, exhale underwater, as you learned earlier. Continue practicing kicking and breathing until you are comfortable doing both simultaneously.

Five children smiling and playing at the edge of a swimming pool, with water splashing around them. They are lying on their stomachs in the shallow water, showing joy and excitement in a bright, sunny setting.

5. Going to the Opposite End

You are now ready to go across the shallow side of the pool. Facing across the shallow end, stand with your back to the side of the pool. With bent knees, extend your left arm to the front, and taking a deep breath, let your legs help push you from the side. At the same time, put your head in the water, taking a forward stroke with your right arm as your legs start kicking.

6. Achieving Width Lengths

Now you can continue kicking, while also concentrating on your strokes and breathing. Make sure you are bringing each hand back to your side as you reach out to make a stroke with your other hand. As mentioned earlier, your swimming pattern should be a stroke with each arm and then a breath. Practice this until you can swim the whole width of the pool without needing to stop.

We hope this was helpful to you. If you are looking to learn these skills faster and better, contact Coast2Coast Swim to find out more about all our options. Our dedicated instructors have been teaching for close to 20 years and have taught thousands of students throughout the years.

Once again, be aware that the practices mentioned in this blog are only suggestions and we can not guarantee your safety or skills. 

Enjoy your Swim.

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Is Swimming Hard to Learn? Tips & Safety Advice

A swimmer wearing a swim cap and goggles adjusts her gear while standing in a pool. The water level is midway up her body, and she appears to be focused. The background shows a clear blue sky and some buildings in the distance.

According to the WHO, drownings account for 7% of all injury-related deaths, making it the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death globally. Therefore, swimming is more than just a way to keep fit or for enjoyment, it is an essential skill. Learning swimming is crucial for safety and fitness. But is swimming hard to learn?

Swimming is an easier skill to learn for people with exposure to water, making it more difficult for people without aquatic exposure to master. A fear of water is one of the main reasons many people don’t learn how to swim, but it is not a difficult skill to learn. Moreover, children can learn to swim from a very young age.

Best way to learn to swim

The best way to learn to swim properly is to join swim lessons, such as a beginner’s swimming class or private swimming lessons. Besides your swimming lessons, it is also a good idea to get lots of practice, allowing you to perfect your strokes and breathing techniques. Practicing holding your breath underwater is a crucial exercise in swim lessons. When learning to swim, you need a sense of calm and to avoid fighting with the water. Remember, it is important to have someone there to assist you if necessary when you are learning how to swim. Do not swim alone.

With children, the best time for them to start learning is around the age of 1. They are taught the basic survival skill of floating first, and then how to build their confidence around the water. Thereafter, they start learning other swimming elements. Children are fast learners.

A swimmer wearing goggles and a swim cap performs a freestyle stroke in a swimming pool. The pool is divided into lanes with blue, white, and red lane dividers. The water is clear, and the swimmer is in the middle of a stroke with one arm extended forward.

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How long will it take to learn to swim?

Usually, for kids, learning to execute a good swimming style and completing laps requires 15 to 30 hours of swimming instruction. For adults, the learning process to reach the same level can take anywhere between 20 to 40 hours. Of course, these times may vary, depending on any previous experience and the type of instruction you are receiving.

It may take a few weeks of consistent practice to master swimming techniques. The more you practice, and the faster you overcome your fear of the water, the quicker it is to master swimming. Then, there are different levels of expertise, from competitive swimmer to professional swimmer.

Why is swimming more difficult for some people to master?

The popularity of swimming is undeniable, and we all envy the swimmers, like Michael Phelps, we watch at events like the Olympics or swimming competitions. Swimming has unique challenges compared to other sports due to its specific physical demands, such as restricted breathing and the horizontal position of the body. It is more than just a pleasurable sport to watch, but has plenty of health benefits.

It can feel like quite a feat to learn how to swim if you fear the water or haven’t mastered the art of staying afloat. One of the greatest forms of anxiety that could hold you back from learning is the fear of drowning.

A baby in a pink swimsuit is held up in a swimming pool by an older woman with gray hair and a black-and-white striped swimsuit. A younger woman with brown hair smiles in the water next to them, all enjoying the sunny day.

Challenges beginners need to overcome when learning to swim

There are several challenges you will need to overcome as a beginner:

  • Anxiety

If you are tense and anxious, then it becomes very difficult to learn to swim. Anxiety leads to harsh movements that don’t allow the body to glide through the water, leading to it being dragged down. Practice your movements and keep them streamlined to help you glide through the water.

  • Breathing

Learning to breathe properly is the most challenging swimming technique. You need to practice syncing your breath with your strike and exhaling through your nose underwater. Swimmers breathe differently compared to land-based sports, which can add to the difficulty. This takes practice, but it’s not impossible to learn.

  • Coordination

Pulling and kicking are techniques that work in combination to create the perfect stroke when you swim but as a beginner, these are often difficult to coordinate. Practice by breaking down the stroke, and learning it over shorter distances until you get the timing and execution right. Focusing on one skill at a time can help you progress faster.

  • Overthinking the technical elements

The combination of elements that give you propulsion requires smooth execution so your body can glide in the water. If you are overthinking all these techniques, you will fall into an unnatural rhythm that can look mechanical. Practice all the technical elements, such as front crawl or butterfly stroke, until they become second nature. Mastering one stroke can make it easier to learn other strokes.

An elderly woman helps a young girl loose fear of the water while two children, dressed in swimwear with goggles and swim caps, stand nearby. They are indoors with large windows showing a cityscape in the background.

Swimming Lessons for All Ages!

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The Road to Become a Proficient Swimmer

The swimming learning process is essential for developing a strong swimmer, especially for older children interested in competitive swimming. Typically, this journey begins in a pool, where the first five lessons focus on foundational skills. During these initial sessions, a good coach emphasizes safety and comfort in deep water, gradually introducing techniques that make swimming efficient and enjoyable. In just two weeks, children can progress significantly, learning to float, kick, and perform basic strokes. As they master these skills, the next point in their learning process at the pool is building endurance and refining technique. Through regular practice, they develop confidence and strength, paving the way for more advanced swimming techniques. The combination of structured lessons, consistent feedback from a coach, and supportive practice creates an effective learning environment. This foundation not only prepares them for competition but also instills a lifelong love for the water. Ultimately, the swimming learning process transforms beginners into proficient swimmers, ready to tackle more challenging aspects of the sport while ensuring they are safe and confident in their abilities.

Where to learn to swim?

If you live in Ontario, our swim school at Coast2Coast is a great place to learn how to swim regardless of age or skill level. Swimming engages the upper body muscles, providing a full-body workout. We offer a wonderful Mobile Swimming program for those who have their own pool. Mobile Swimming makes it easy for students to learn basic or advanced swimming laps. Simply choose a date and time and we will send one of our experienced instructors to your home, community centre or local YMCA.

You may choose a private, semi-private or group swimming lesson. This makes it easy for you or a small group to learn how to swim. Our lessons are adaptable for either adult learners or new swimmers. Registration is simple and may be achieved by calling our toll-free number: 866-291-9121.

Final Word

Learning to swim is one of the most important survival skills you can acquire. It not only empowers you to stay safe in and around water but also opens up a world of recreational opportunities. Swimming is a low-impact and aerobic sport, making it accessible for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re a child eager to dive in or an adult who has always wanted to learn, it is never too late to start!

To enhance your learning experience, consider enrolling in lessons with a qualified instructor who emphasizes safety and proper technique. Remember to practice in a controlled environment, like a pool, where you can build confidence and skills gradually. Safety should always be your top priority—never swim alone, and always be aware of your surroundings. Additionally, practicing relaxation techniques can help ease anxiety in the water. Embrace the journey of learning to swim; not only will you improve your physical fitness, but you will also gain a sense of accomplishment that lasts a lifetime.

A smiling child wearing a green swim cap and pink goggles rests on the edge of a swimming pool. The water is a bright blue, and the child appears to be in a swimsuit, enjoying their swimming lesson in the pool.

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Learn Swimming: Step-by-Step Guide

learn to swim

A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Learning How to Swim

Learning to swim is one of the most valuable life skills a person can acquire. Swimming is not just a recreational activity or competitive sport — it is a fundamental survival skill that protects you and your family in and around water. Whether you are a child taking your first splash, a teenager preparing for a lifeguarding career, or an adult who never had the opportunity to learn, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the progression from complete beginner to confident swimmer. Combined with proper water safety education, learning to swim opens up a lifetime of aquatic enjoyment and fitness. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Canada, and the single most effective way to prevent drowning is to learn to swim. The Canadian Red Cross reports that the majority of drowning victims either could not swim or overestimated their swimming ability. By following a structured learning progression and practising consistently, anyone can develop the swimming skills needed to be safe and confident in the water. Learning to swim step by step guide

Step 1: Getting Comfortable in the Water

The first and most important step in learning to swim is becoming comfortable in the water. For many beginners — particularly adults — water anxiety is a significant barrier. Take your time with this step and do not rush to the next one until you feel genuinely relaxed in the water.

Water Entry and Familiarization

Start in shallow water where you can stand comfortably with your head well above the surface. Walk around the pool, feeling how the water supports your body. Practice putting your face in the water and blowing bubbles — this helps you get used to the sensation of water on your face and teaches you to control your breathing. Cup water in your hands and pour it over your head. These simple exercises may seem basic, but they build the comfort and trust in the water that everything else depends on.

Submerging and Breath Control

Once you are comfortable with water on your face, practice submerging your entire head briefly. Take a breath, dip under the surface, and come back up. Gradually extend the time you spend underwater. Practice exhaling through your nose and mouth while submerged — this is a fundamental swimming skill that prevents water from entering your nose. Blowing bubbles underwater should become second nature before you move on to floating and swimming skills.

Step 2: Learning to Float

Floating is the foundation of swimming. When you can float, you can rest in the water without expending energy, which is both a swimming skill and a survival skill. There are two basic floats to master:

Back Float

The back float is the most important survival skill in swimming because it allows you to breathe while resting in the water. Start in shallow water with a partner or instructor supporting your back. Lean back, extend your arms to the sides, and let your legs float up. Keep your ears in the water, your chin slightly tilted up, and your belly at the surface. Relax completely — tension causes your body to sink. Take slow, deep breaths. Once you can float on your back without support for 30 seconds or more, you have mastered a life-saving skill.

Front Float

The front float (also called the prone float or dead man’s float) teaches you body position for swimming strokes. Take a breath, put your face in the water, and extend your arms forward. Let your legs float behind you. Your body should form a straight, streamlined shape at or near the surface of the water. When you need to breathe, lift your head or roll onto your back. Practice transitioning between front float and back float smoothly.
Safety Tip: Always learn to swim in a supervised environment with a qualified instructor or lifeguard present. Never attempt to learn in open water such as lakes, rivers, or oceans, where currents, depth changes, and cold water create additional hazards for beginners.

Step 3: Kicking and Propulsion

Once you can float, adding a kick gives you the ability to move through the water. The flutter kick is the most basic and widely used kick in swimming:

Flutter Kick

Hold onto the pool wall or a kickboard with your arms extended. Keep your legs straight but relaxed, with a slight bend at the knee. Kick from the hips in an alternating up-and-down motion, keeping your feet just below the surface. Your toes should be pointed and your ankles loose. The kick should be continuous and rhythmic — think of your legs as moving like scissors. Practice kicking across the pool until you can maintain a steady, efficient kick that propels you forward without excessive splashing.

Step 4: Learning Your First Stroke — Freestyle

Freestyle (also called front crawl) is the most common and efficient swimming stroke. It combines the flutter kick with alternating arm pulls and rhythmic side breathing:

Arm Movement

Reach forward with one arm, entering the water fingertips first in front of your shoulder. Pull your hand through the water in an S-shaped pattern beneath your body, pushing back toward your hip. As one arm finishes its pull, the other arm begins its reach forward. Your arms should alternate continuously in a windmill-like pattern. Keep your fingers together and slightly cupped to maximize the pulling surface.

Breathing Technique

Breathing in freestyle involves turning your head to one side during the arm recovery phase. As your arm lifts out of the water, rotate your head to the side just enough to take a quick breath. Your mouth should barely clear the water surface. Exhale steadily through your nose and mouth while your face is in the water between breaths. Most beginners breathe every two or three strokes, but find whatever rhythm feels most comfortable as you learn. Swimming stroke technique practice

Watch: How to Swim Freestyle

Step 5: Learning Additional Strokes

Once you are comfortable with freestyle, expanding your stroke repertoire improves your versatility and fitness in the water:

Backstroke

Backstroke is essentially freestyle performed on your back. It is an excellent stroke for beginners because your face stays out of the water, making breathing easy. Float on your back and use an alternating flutter kick. Your arms alternate in a windmill motion over your head, entering the water pinky-first behind your shoulder and pulling through the water beside your body.

Breaststroke

Breaststroke is a symmetrical stroke where both arms pull simultaneously in a heart-shaped pattern while your legs perform a frog kick — bending at the knees and pushing outward and backward. Breaststroke is slower than freestyle but is useful for swimming with your head above water to see where you are going.

Treading Water

Treading water is the ability to stay in one place with your head above the surface. It combines a sculling motion with your hands and an eggbeater or flutter kick with your legs. This is an essential survival skill for deep water and should be practiced regularly until you can tread water comfortably for several minutes.

Step 6: Building Endurance and Confidence

Swimming is a skill that improves with consistent practice. Set achievable goals and gradually increase the distance and duration of your swims. Start with short distances — one or two pool lengths — and work your way up. Focus on technique first and speed second. A smooth, efficient stroke will always be faster and less tiring than a powerful but sloppy one. Swimming just two or three times per week will produce noticeable improvements in your endurance, technique, and confidence within a few weeks.

Water Safety: Essential Knowledge for Every Swimmer

Learning to swim is just one part of being safe in the water. Every swimmer should also understand the importance of never swimming alone, how to recognize and escape rip currents, the effects of cold water on the body, the proper use of personal flotation devices, how to recognize signs of drowning in others, and basic rescue techniques. Pairing your swimming skills with CPR and first aid training creates a comprehensive safety foundation that protects you and those around you in any aquatic environment.

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About the Author

Ashkon Pourheidary, B.Sc. (Hons) — Co-Founder, Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics

Ashkon has been a certified First Aid and CPR instructor since 2011 and an Instructor Trainer since 2013. He is also a certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) instructor, Psychological First Aid instructor, and BLS (Basic Life Support) instructor. Ashkon graduated with honours with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto in 2016. As co-founder of Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics, he has helped grow the organization to over 30 locations across Canada and into the United States. Connect on LinkedIn