Curious to know how long it takes to learn to swim? Although it may seem like a simple skill, swimming is more complex than just moving your arms and legs.
In addition to providing greater safety, swimming offers numerous health and well-being benefits, making it one of the most comprehensive activities out there.
The time it takes for someone to learn to swim is highly relative. As with other sports, consistent practice is what enables the development of the necessary skills to master the water.
Since there are factors that can speed up the process, it is important to understand what influences learning and what can accelerate the development of your swimming skills.
How long does it take to learn to swim?
A very common question among beginners starting their swimming lessons is how long it will take until they are able to swim certain distances. The answer, however, is not so simple.
Each person has their own learning pace and specific motor skills. Additionally, the swimming style also plays a role in the process.
A beginner might consider swimming as the ability to move through water for a short distance. In this case, noticeable results can be seen in approximately one month.
However, when it comes to fully learning to swim with different techniques, the time required tends to be longer.
The front crawl is one of the first styles taught, and in a short period, students can achieve their goal using basic techniques.
An important factor in determining the duration of the learning process is the individual’s familiarity with water.
Those who have a fear of water or feel insecure when submerged will need more time to adapt and feel comfortable, resulting in a longer learning period.
Learning to swim is about more than just time—it involves developing specific skills. The entire process must be respected, taking into account individual limitations.
The learning process
Anyone starting swimming lessons will follow a certain path until they fully master swimming techniques. Generally, the learning process goes through the following stages:
• Water adaptation – The first step in learning to swim is becoming familiar with the aquatic environment. The goal is to get used to the water and its sensations. Since water has a different density than air, it is essential to learn how to balance, enter, and exit the pool without difficulty. This stage helps build trust and comfort with the instructor and the surroundings.
• Breathing and floating – As the learning process progresses, the next step focuses on breathing control and body posture for floating. At this stage, students also learn how to position and move their face in the water.
• Arm and leg movements – Only after completing the previous two stages are the basic movements taught. From this point on, the focus is on developing propulsion by learning how to move the arms and legs. This phase happens progressively, adapting to each student’s coordination and ability.
• Swimming techniques – Once the basic movements are mastered, the final stage involves learning different styles, such as front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. The time required to reach this level depends on each individual’s agility and body control.
Once a person has mastered one or more swimming styles, their learning process is complete. However, swimming is a lifelong sport—the more you practise, the better your endurance and technique. As a result, the distance covered and speed will naturally improve.
What affects the time it takes to learn to swim?
As we mentioned throughout this guide, the biggest factor influencing learning time is each person’s motor coordination.
Those who already have some familiarity with water—whether from swimming in pools, rivers, or the sea—tend to progress faster. The swimming journey is unique to each individual and depends on both their personal characteristics and the teaching approach and experience of the instructor.
People with a more adventurous and fearless personality tend to learn faster than those who are more cautious.
The most important aspect of learning to swim is having highly qualified professionals to guide you. A good instructor should recognise your progress, skills, and challenges, adjusting lessons accordingly.
At Easy2Swim, all our lessons are personalised and taught by instructors with over 15 years of experience. You can take classes in the comfort of your own home at a time that fits your schedule. Get in touch with us to learn more about our swimming programmes.
