A couple of years ago, I was in the islands, staying on Anguilla, BWI. I was with about six friends, and we decided to hire a boat to take us to the reefs to go snorkeling. We get to the reefs, and everyone but “Jane” jumped in. I said, “come on”…she said she couldn’t swim. I did not know that. Fuck the snorkeling…I climbed back into the boat, threw her a life-jacket, and said, “want a cold beer?”. No way I was going to let her fall in the water. I stayed with her to ensure she was safe. We talked about her fear of the water, and drank some beers. It was interesting, to say the least. I learned to swim when I was three years of age…I can’t imagine not knowing how to swim, but swimming is not in our human genes…you have to be taught. I had more fun having conversations with the pretty girl then I would have had chasing turtles and fish. It is what it was.
Anyway, she has since learned to swim. She took lessons at the Y, and had some “private” instruction from friends, and can now swim. She is no longer afraid of the water. She conquered a demon.
Good for her…Big damn double good for her.
If I didn’t know how to swim, I’d be dead many times over. The problem is, when I fall or jump into cold water, my nuts jump up into my throat. I’m telling you, nuts and cold water don’t go well together.
Anyway, if she ever fell off, or was thrown off a boat…she could survive. That is really all that matters.
3 Comments
I don’t know how to swim. Not really. AND I owned a jet ski (yes and rode it) AND I have a pool. How fucking crazy is that? I will go and do anything on big water if I have on a vest- ski, knee-board, inner-tube- you name it. I will stay in the shallow end in pools or on a float. Wacky.
My friend…I will teach you how to swim in water that’s over your head …I will teach you how to “bob” when you’re tired, and stay alive. I will teach you how to survive without a vest. The only thing I want in return is a nice home cooked meal and some gin and juice. I’m serious, you gotta learn how to swim. It’s never too late, actually you will enjoy it. I can help set you free.
My parents used to let me walk off the boat to “walk” on the water. I sank everytime and I was 1 &2yrs old. I never had a fear of water. I was self taught. And at age 9 when the hip got dislocated at a crowded public pool, I learned how to swim with 1 arm and leg. I had to go to the deep end with the diving boards to get my brothers.
My only time I almost drowned was a punk asshole teen held me underwater a long time. My vision was turning black. I still swim like a fish tho I don’t have the lung capacity any longer. I love the water, but only if I can see thru it. No murky shit for me.