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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Great story! I wonder where that pair of underpants ended up?!

To my regret I never learned to swim properly. I had lesson after lesson at school and after school, and my parents would take us to the pool regularly. Best efforts were made. It never really happened for me, though.

A few years ago I came across my dad at the end of the pool at the local gym I used to belong to. I finished doggy-paddling the length I was doing - one of fifty - and greeted him. He was laughing. 'I KNEW it was you even before I saw it was you! I'd recognise your swimming style a mile off!'

One day I might have another go at learning properly.

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Matthew Murray's avatar

Thanks Rebecca. You sure know how to make me laugh. I can see you now. :)

I seem to remember when I figured out I could swim, I started by pushing off from the wall, and floating on my back. Then I turned to my right-side and started doing the freestyle movements with your arms. Hopefully that's a good tip for you. If you set your mind to it, you can do it.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

I seem to always default back to doggy-paddle, although I can manage a few strokes of front crawl (what I think is also called 'freestyle'), and even some breaststroke (I can do ONE stroke before my legs fall off).

Backstroke (specifically back crawl) proved dangerously harmful for any other pool user within (literal) striking distance, so if I want to look at the ceiling of the pool I simply kick my legs and scull with my arms. Generally works fine until my head hits the wall at the end....

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

You’ve made me smile. So glad you thought to bring extras in week 2. Not sure why there are such nasty people around, but I’m so glad you won out. I’m also glad you eventually taught yourself to swim. Such a handy skill. I must admit I still tend to alternate breastroke and backstroke laps. Those work fine for me and I don’t have to concentrate so much on the breathing. Hugs and best wishes from Australia. 🤗🤗

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Hilarious! I wonder if that person will one day seek you out and fess up!

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Mark M.'s avatar

Sounds like something that would have happened to me as a kid. Hilarious! :)

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Sophie G's avatar

May I ask a silly question? Did you catch the culprit? 😉 Seriously though, I really enjoy your honest tone of writing. It speaks to me on so many different levels, so thanks for sharing it.

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Matthew Murray's avatar

No, I never found out who it was. Thank you for the nice comments about my writing.

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