Learning to swim aged 30: Lesson 3 - Why swimming is like watching Game of Thrones

You can read here how I got on in lesson one and two. Now it's on to session three...

Having began to start throwing all of the individual techniques together into one semi-coordinated movement; the pushing, gliding, steady exhaling, kicking and arm strokes, lesson three starts with more of the same.

But for the first time I get frustrated because at least one body part fails me in my first few attempts. If it's not my legs kicking like I'm jumping hurdles it's my arms waving about like I'm trying to land aircraft.

It is a bit like watching a Game of Thrones-type TV show. Just as you are getting comfortable with one set of characters you soon have another set thrust upon you and have to contemplate how they all fall into the bigger picture. In the end you just hope it all comes together and makes sense.

But the more I practise the better things get and I can manage four strokes before coming up for air.

Having dismissed my initial fear in lesson one that having my face and mouth under water would automatically prompt a choking fit, it is so reassuring to let my mind be free of panic and just focus on the techniques.

Before long I have done an entire length of the pool, albeit in about five or six stages. If you were wondering it is only 1.2metres deep which lets me stand and relax in between – I haven't learnt to tread water yet.

So it's all coming together but the next element to add in is breathing. Who would have thought the basic thing we all do to live could become so complicated when combined with moving through the water. And even this has a technique.

It soon becomes clear that throwing my head upwards mouth wide open results directly in my legs dropping down to the pool floor. I suppose it is common sense really.

Instead my tutor Heather tells me to turn my head to the side keeping it tight to my shoulder as my arm reaches back for another stroke. I make the classic beginner mistake of trying to do everything too fast as if I'm taking on Michael Phelps in the Olympics. It only serves to shorten my window for breath with comical consequences. On one try I open my mouth too early and water pours in prompting an inevitable splutter halting me in my tracks. Next I have the opposite problem and close my mouth too late.

There really is no dignified way to thrust yourself above the water level in a coughing fit, but where before I may have been embarrassed now I can't help find the funny side. To anyone watching on the side slightly amused I just think 'yeah I can't swim, so what'.

But like everything else, it starts to fall in to place with practise. Not every attempt is without the odd inhalation of water but I manage another length of the pool again in several stages.

Feeling a glow of satisfaction it's time to finish the lesson with something a bit different called 'sculling'. It involves keeping myself afloat by nothing more than fast and wavy arm movements just beneath the surface in a figure of eight-type motion.

It seems a little bizarre but Heather reassures me it will all help move through the water.

Lesson three done and it feels like I am making strides. Although I won't be swimming from the Iron Islands to Casterly Rock just yet.

If you want to find out more about learning to swim with Swimtime contact the West Midlands office on 0121 3710498 or email westmids@swimtime.org

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