Facing your fears can be a daunting but rewardig task once you've discovered that it is possible.
In 2019, our journo Sisonke Labase challenged herself to learn how to swim. Here's her experience:
Why I can’t swim
My mother sent me to what was then referred to as a ‘Model C’ school, where doing survival swimming (doggy paddle and ‘fight’ water) was mandatory. In summer, we all had to swim during Physical Education.
During one lesson, my friend was floundering next to me. In desperation, she grabbed and pulled me under and we were both in trouble. That wasn’t enough to put me off swimming. But, the following year, a girl in my class drowned during a hostel weekend activity. I decided there and then that I was done with swimming.
My mom went as far as convincing our family doctor that I was allergic to chlorine, and the excuse worked.
During my varsity days, I wasn’t scared of getting into a pool or the sea so long as I wasn’t required to be in a horizontal position.
Challenge accepted
Fast forward to September 2019 when we were brainstorming ideas for #TLTries, I volunteered that I would learn how to swim. After the deadline had been set, there was no turning back. This is how my swimming journey unfolded.
The plunge
I took my swimming lessons with coach Cara van Achterbergh from Aqua Athlete, a company that offers lessons through Virgin Active in Randburg.
Cara and I clicked instantly, which helped settle my nerves as I initially had trust issues. We started with the basics, which involved getting reacquainted with the water. I learnt how to kick while sitting on the pool steps, and then we moved on to floating.
Let’s just say I was still too tense to let go, even though I was on a noodle. I didn’t trust that I wouldn’t sink but sought solace in the words, “Breathe, you’re not drowning,” by @Her Mentality, one of my favourite people on Instagram.
Still, floating didn’t work out. But I managed to swim five widths while holding onto my noodle, with my head out and kicking hard. I did it! I was horizontal in the water. I felt victorious.
- Find the root. Many fears stem from past trauma, socialisation or even association. Find out what the danger in what you fear is — is it real or imagined?
- Acquire skill. For instance, if drowning is what you fear, ask yourself ‘how can I feel safe or prevent myself from drowning?’. It means mastering a skill to increase your sense of safety, like learning to swim or gradual exposure in a protected environment.
- Challenge your beliefs. Some fears and thoughts can be irrational. Just because there was a snake on the lawn that one time doesn’t mean all grass has snakes. Ask if the probability of the danger you fear will happen.
- Find distractions. If you fear flying, for example, find ways to distract yourself while on the plane so you don’t focus on the possible danger.
- Seek professional help. Talk to a psychologist if symptoms persist.
Learning to trust
Then next we moved on to blowing bubbles under the water. That was easy enough until she gave me a board and said, “Just glide off from the stairs and float with the board”.
Nope, that was not happening, I wasn’t ready. But I learnt to swim with my face in the water — although I hate the sensation of water in my eyes and ears. My noodle became my safe place and I was able to swim widths while breathing correctly. That was a definite win.
Letting go
In week three, I was swimming with a board. Yay to me! I got over my silly fear of the board failing to keep me afloat. To celebrate my progress, we added flippers to the mix. I could now breathe on my sides and used earplugs, to reduce the amount of water going into my ears.
Cara had to assure me that I could manage and after a few stops and starts, I finally trusted that I could. I can now swim with my arms, breathe, remember to kick and still hold my board. Oh, and did I mention we’re now swimming lengths!
Mama, I did it
The joy I felt at the start of this journey is indescribable. I learnt that anything that I put my mind to is as good as done the minute I apply myself fully.
This article first appeared in TRUELOVE's December 2019 issue.
