‘Don’t be embarrassed, learn to swim’, adult learners say

Living in a country where we're never far from a pool or the sea, swimming is an important life skill, adults who have taken the plunge say.

Kenyan Eddie Umar, 35, learns to swim despite his fear of water at the Le Meriden Hotel in Dubai on Wednesday. Christopher Pike / The National

DUBAI // Adults who cannot swim should disregard their embarrassment and learn, say those who are doing just that.

Taghred Chandab, an Australian mother of four, was almost 40 before she decided to learn to swim. She has encouraged others to do likewise because swimming is a life skill, especially for parents, she says.

“It was part of my ‘40 Before 40 Challenge’ to learn to swim and I began in March,” said Ms Chandab. “I never thought I would now be able to swim 25 metres across the pool.

“I had a phobia of the water after an incident when I was 8 and I almost drowned.”

Last Wednesday, Ms Chandab and Absolute Swimming Academy UAE organised a swimming lesson, the first for some adults, at a hotel in Dubai.

“Seeing all these people today getting in the water and getting over their fear has been amazing,” she said. “I was happy to learn that there were more people like me who are willing to get over that fear.”

Ms Chandab said it was very important for her not to pass on her phobia to her daughters.

“We are around so much water in this country and it’s so important to know how to swim,” she said. “There are pools that are not protected and kids jump in the water. They are fearless.

“It’s important to have that skill. It’s not just a hobby and not just for fitness.”

Adults who do not know how to swim should overcome their fears and realise that they are not the only ones, says Ms Chandab.

“Many people sent me messages on social media and told me they don’t know how to swim,” she said. “These people are also adults and I encourage them to learn and just do it.”

Kenyan Eddie Umar, 35, said he last tried to learn to swim when he was in primary school. He later developed a fear of water.

“I learnt some of the basics but when it came to breathing, I just didn’t know how to do that,” said Mr Umar, a radio presenter.

The father of two said it was important for him to learn to swim and encourage his children.

“My daughter is 3 years old and she’s always like, ‘Daddy, do you want to go swimming?’,” he said. “I feel embarrassed because if something happens to her, would I be able to jump in the pool and save her?

“I want to learn for my own benefit and for her and my son, so when they want to go swimming I can be confident and teach them.”

Velimir Stjepanovic, who swam for Serbia at the Olympics, was at the swimming lesson on Wednesday to encourage the students.

“It doesn’t come as a shock to me that there are many people who don’t know how to swim. But I feel it’s something that you should learn, especially when living in Dubai with a lot of beach and pool-related activities,” he said.

A novice should not panic when learning to swim, says ­Stjepanovic.

“Getting over that fear for younger kids is easy but it’s harder for adults,” he said. “Keeping calm and knowing that your body will get the support it needs if you do the right things is crucial.”