Dec 12, 2006 03:29 PM
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History: This one is true and happened in my hometown. A boy, who lived in the Country of God, all of 5, slender, tall and unpredictable. It so happened that, once, an aunt took him to her joint family home for the holidays. There was a pond with clear water, but green fern at the bottom, in the compound of the 2 acre home. Being summer, there were many young boys and girls of the house and the nearby ones frolicking in the pool. They dived, swam underwater, pulled the fern out, hid-and-found coins and much more. Our youngster was sitting on the sidelines, much like most of our (injured) cricket 'stars' in S.A., watching with unblinking eyes, the fun activity and the delighted faces of elder kids all around him. So captivated was he, and so unpredictable, that he just jumped in along with the next group who dived in! That he knew no swimming never occured to him! Hardly anybody noticed the 'Act'. It was only a couple of minutes later, when the aunt came searching, that everyone looked at each other, perplexed. A smart boy looked water-ward and saw the adventurous youngster lying under the water, caught in the ferns, and hardly struggling. Shrieks, dives and splashes followed. A minute later, the boy was brought out, unconscious, tummy filled with water, and pale. Rushed to hospital, the boy stayed there for a week, before he was discharged.
The boy, naturally, shied away from water, ever since. When he was 13, his younger brother learnt to swim, and started to brag about it. With great reluctance, and in a final endeavour to salvage a bit of elder brother-ly pride, he gingerely stepped into the temple pond, under the watchful and expert eyes of an uncle. It took a good 2 months for him to make that dreaded 'crossing' of the middle of the pond - all of 20 metres! But he did.
And..:5 years later, the now-taller and stronger young man of 18 had to clear a swimming test. It involved 50 metres of swimming, and then 3 minutes of floating around. He cleared that, clad in the requisite dress of 'shirt & trousers'! The 'any style' was vital, because, the style of his swimming was found only in RK Narayan's books! It was 'doggy style'. Before minds divert, here's clarifying that 'dog-in-the-water style' is what I meant! There ended his swimming escapades, until another 4 years later, when an affable senior agreed to teach him basics of breast stroke (again, a style of swimming, lest you assume otherwise!).
Present: The years passed. The dude started to love the water, like 'cows'' love grass, irrespective of whether they are hugged or not (Sudipto!) The number of laps and the stamina increased. He could now comfortably swim 2 km or more! It started to grow on him. He had conquered his fear, and in the process, proved to himself and those who knew him, a powerful old adage - "Will Succeeds".
And, thus it is that I turned a proficient swimmer, addicted to the sport and long distances!
Facts:Styles of swimming:
Freestyle: Most common, done face down. Burns 100 cal (in 10 mins), more than a jog!
Back Stroke: Done on your back, needs some practice. Burns 120 calories.
Butterfly: Done face down, with both hands and both legs moving as sets, like a butterfly's wings. Hardest, burns 150 cal.
Breast Stroke: Men love it, for multiple reasons! Easy to learn, it is essentially a long distance stroke. Burns 60 cal. Personally, my favourite!
All types of swimming tone your muscles, make your thighs, shoulders, arms and back stronger, apart from increasing the capacity and strength of your lungs. When coupled with alternate days in the gym, it does wonders to the muscles, tummy, the body as a whole, and the ego! That's when you can get those tight Ts out, and your wife wouldn't complain, as long as she gets to move with you!
Add-Ons: Many people like to lounge around the pool, with family or alone. While this does exercise your eyes and neck, that can hardly be said about the body! It is hence, best to resort to it after your quota of swimming! The eye-exercise is a necessary evil, so go ahead! But, remove goggle ere you ogle!
Pool manners: Here are a few, to ensure you don't end up Zidane-ing people.
- Follow a lane: Even if you don't on the road, practice it in the pool. For, unlike on roads, there is nowhere you need to reach in a hurry!
Don't Swim Across: If you aren't sure of a full length, stay in the netted-in portion. Else, do cross swimming only when clear of lane swimmers.
Always wear the appropriate costume. Try to keep your eyes and head covered, to prevent itching eyes and dry hair due to the chlorine.
- Stay away when you have the cold etc.
Children: While the jury is still out on the right age to put kid to water, I only would say "The earlier, the better!". I took my daughter first to the pool when she was three. Though she still does not 'swim' she is absolutely not scared of the water, unlike her father even in his teens! Children learn very fast. This can hence turn a family outing and time for some bonding, in a liquid medium, apart from healthy competition. Ensure children who are not very adept are always under your watch, when in the pool, or close by.
Lastly, respect the power of the water, and then bask in your capabilities! I have seen 10000 tonnes of steel being tossed around in the waves, which brings me to this conclusion.
Meine Kabhi Seekha Nahin!: Great! So, you can always start afresh! And, while at it, here are a few tips for starters:
Do some light warm up, rotating your shoulders, ankles and waist before you enter the water.
Just sit/walk/lie around in waist-deep water for a few minutes before you start.
Lie face down after taking a deep breath. Then exhale underwater. Hold the edge of the pool for support. Lift your head slowly out of water, breathe in and again, breathe out underwater. Repeat the routine a few times. Now do the inhaling from the side, with your head alternately turned left and then right. Once you are comfortable with the breathing, your job is half done.
In the shallow zone, lie face down, hold your breath, and push off with legs against the pool wall. Go as far as you can, then do it again. In the process, try doing the breathing routine too. If you managed that too, you are 75% a swimmer.
That is as far as you can be taught in words. Get onto some professional site for help, and rehearse the motions at home, on the floor. This is, of course, provided you don't want to/ can't get a coach for the effort.
After the basics are mastered, you have to keep at it. Don't attempt world records in your first year! * Go slow & steady.
Stay close to the edge when you try doing a full length, and start from the deep end.
Enuff!: I love taking my daughter on sightseeing trips in water, like in the picture! You need to do it to believe the satisfaction you get, when you do this in front of the others around. It's just about time and perseverance.
If I can do it, any of you whohaven't fallen in a pond can, too!
As my Gujju would say "Try To Karo Ne!"
