Mete Coban, a 33-year-old Londoner who cannot swim, begins swimming lessons to address his fear of water. His fear started after a traumatic school swimming experience at Britannia Leisure Centre, where he was pulled out after going down an adult slide into deep water. He also notes that his school did not offer swimming when he was growing up, and that more schools now provide classes. His first lesson at the Aquatic Centre on the Olympic Park starts with putting his face in the water, then holding the side, kicking, and floating with buoyancy support. His instructor, Omie Dale of Swimunity, reports strong progress, attributing improvement to motivation, sports background, body awareness, and regular practice, while emphasizing that progress varies by person.
"I had a really bad experience, like a lot of Londoners. When I was in year two, year three, I went to Britannia Leisure Centre. And you know that thing that you're told as a kid they'll stick you in the water and you'll just figure it out? That didn't quite happen with me."
"I went down the adult slide. It was six feet of deep water, and they had to pull me out and I've had the fear of water since. But also, my school didn't offer swimming, and now they do, more schools offer swimming classes, but when I was growing up, we didn't, and that's not a coincidence."
"I was a little bit apprehensive of how much we'd progress, but he got his face in, he was exhaling underwater, getting the legs up off the ground. So, honestly, it's a really, really good lesson. So if someone's motivated, and if they've got a sports background, which he has, it's typically a lot easier."
"She adds that having a "good connection to your body" and regular practice helps to get rid of the fear, although emphasises it is an individual journey as everyon"
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