Can I learn how to swim in 4 lessons? Can I learn how to swim in 3 to 6 months?
This is the number one common query that our coordinators or swimming coaches receive from learners before they enroll in our group or private adult swimming lessons.
Yet, despite being a swimming school in Singapore that has been established for over a decade and has been conducting multiple sessions of weekly group swimming lessons for adults, we cannot provide an exact number of lessons or sessions that a learner takes to learn how to swim.
However, we will be glad to share with the participants various factors or traits that will determine how fast they can learn how to swim. Throughout our lessons, we have observed that students can learn how to swim in less than 1 month (four sessions). However, some students take over 6 months (24 sessions) to achieve the goal of learning how to swim.
In this article, we will focus on the definition and factors that determine how fast an adult learns how to swim.
What is the definition of how to swim?
We will first need to understand the definition of how to swim for adult learners. For Isplash Swim School, our adult learners are segmented as learners who are 14 years old or older.
Primary Research
During our adult swimming lessons that were conducted in 2024 at Jurong West Swimming Complex and The CHEVRONS, we conducted primary research involving focus groups or informal discussions with our new learners. The findings are based on our 70 respondents who are adults enrolling in swimming lessons for the first time.
Finding 1: The goal
While there are differences in definition on learning how to swim or what their goal is for enrolling in swimming lessons. Slightly over half of the learners define learning how to swim as achieving the goal of being able to perform forward swimming (breaststroke or front crawl), for at least 50 metres.
Finding 2: Motivations for why adults learn how to swim
We further delved into the discussion on their motivation for their goal and why they decided to enrol in swimming lessons. Out of the responses, the most common motivation for achieving this goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This is in align with the national initiative (Healthier SG) by the Ministry of Health to encourage Singaporeans to take active steps to lead a healthier lifestyle.
The second common motivation is for adults to learn how to swim to further advance in other interests that involve aquatic elements. For example, wanting to participate in water sports or participate in triathlon.
What are the common traits for faster learners in achieving this goal?
Factor 1: Excellent water confidence
Water confidence refers to being highly comfortable and showing no signs of anxiety in and around the swimming pool. This group of students are easily identified by our coaches as they tend to be able to perform front and back float without assistance in the first or second session of the swimming lesson.
On the other hand, adults who suffer from aquaphobia tend to take a longer time to learn how to swim. This can be developed during their childhood or adulthood, usually due to unpleasant experiences in an aquatic environment such as swimming pools, seas, or even during a shower.
Overcoming aquaphobia is a crucial first step in being a confident swimmer and if you display signs of aquaphobia, our coaches are trained to help you overcome this.
Factor 2: Coordination, balancing, and fitness
Learners who display good motor skills tend to learn to swim at a faster pace. Swimming is a sport that involves using various muscle groups and, balancing skills. It also requires the learner to be able to coordinate the legs, arms, body and breathing movements at the appropriate timing.
However, for learners who do not have excellent motor skills, do not worry, as our swim coaches will make the learning of skills easy with instructions and drills that are easy to understand. We also have types of equipment that will assist students in performing various drills that are more challenging.
Factor 3: Practice makes perfect
Who do you think will learn faster? Student A practices once a week, and Student B practices thrice a week. We are confident that eventually, student B will become a better swimmer.
Out of the 3 factors that we have shared, this is the most important factor. Consistently practicing makes you a better swimmer and learn at a fast pace.
Swimming lessons in Singapore are commonly conducted once a week for 45 minutes each session. Having extra practice beyond the 45 minutes is extremely important for skills and techniques to be a competent swimmer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are differences in every learner's definition of learning how to swim. New students will be able to learn at a faster pace if they have displayed the three traits that we have shared. Regardless of whether you have these three traits, our swim coaches are confident that we will be able to help you achieve your goal of being a confident and competent swimmer.