Learning How To Swim As An Adult | Episode 1

56% of the world's population can't swim. Harry is one of them. Join us as we help Harry build confidence in the pool as he aims to overcome his fear of water. In this video, we tackle the basics. From building confidence to introducing swimming technique, Harry smashes every challenge we set him.
00:00 Meet our beginner swimmer
01:40 Getting in the pool
06:15 Going under-water
07:50 Letting go of the side
08:30 Feet off the pool floor
09:33 kicking your legs
10:45 Removing floats
12:13 How to float
15:13 Adding the kicks
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[@gtn]

Share your beginner swimming tips in the comments 🏊

[@ngdawgs1]

All the propulsion comes from the upper body. Engage the lats and not just shoulders. Don’t waste your energy kicking. That changed the game for me 🤯🤙🏽.

[@goingtothefifty]

I didnt got comfortable in the water until I learned how to float and rest, then realize I couldnt drown

[@johnhunter866]

When swimming feels right, it feels like flying, its totally amazing, sensual and being

[@erockem]

At 40 I needed a new challenge, swimming. Couldn't breathe while swimming, couldn't get the cadence, couldn't get the right amount of air in or out to not panic. Sat at my dining room table quite often in the beginning with a towel under our biggest mixing bowl full of water, put my face in and worked on breathing to the side. I believe this helped me tremendously get over the fear of not getting enough oxygen in, calming down, and pacing in a what I felt was a safer, controlled, and relaxing environment.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Huge respect for Harry in not just facing his fears about the pool, but in being prepared to do so on camera. 🤜🤛

[@SamuelLudden]

For real. That's bold

[@gmbn]

Congrats Harry #SuperNice 🔥Let's get you on a mountain bike next!

[@chumph854]

One of, if not the most inspiring videos you’ve done. Fair play to Harry for being so open and honest in where he was but also showing such persistence and strength in overcoming his fear. Just shows with the right support (which was next level) and time you can do it! Looking forward to the next one!

[@gtn]

We loved filming this one! Harry really opened up here, which is great to see 🙌 He smashed his fears, it's only up from here 🚀

[@flatini]

I started swimming at the age of 42 for three reasons. Firstly, I was motivated by your videos. Secondly, I was concerned about not being able to reach my daughters while they swam far from the shore. And thirdly, 42 is considered the answer to the life, the universe, and everything. Last summer, I swam alongside my daughters, and the experience felt amazing.

[@IAMNationX]

I am 46 and never learned to swim after being pushed into a pool when i was very young, sunk to the bottom and had to be rescued. It is on my bucket list of things to do/learn and fear face.

[@gtn]

We hope you can overcome the fear, maybe find yourself a confident buddy and try some of these techniques?

[@9blowtorch]

My wife is/was learning to swim as an adult. She has had a few goes at it before, over the years, but it never clicked. Learning as an adult is hard. Her current coach, however, seems to be doing everything right, and this past Wednesday, for the first time ever, she came home and said, "I can swim". Am so happy for her ☺

[@gtn]

Aw this is great to hear! Good luck to her, please do let us know how she gets on 🙌

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

Excellent - 47 and only ever breast stroked - taking lessons for front crawl now - not as easy as it looks

[@kasplantje7277]

I think it's underrated how good Mark is a coaching people to get to their goals. Last week I saw the: Journey to Roth Pt. 1 and it the coaching there is also great. Well done Mark.

[@alexclaville3079]

Really inspirational video GTN... Mark, that was A+ coaching and support! You got this Harry! 👏

[@scottgray414]

As someone who learnt to swim as an adult during covid I can absolutely empathise with Harry. I missed out on holidays swims with my daughter, got mocked at school swim lessons etc. I couldnt put my head under the water, couldnt let go of the side and couldnt even float on my back. It's been the single hardest thing I've ever done and it takes a long time. Progress will not be linear but stick with it. 3-4 years on and I'm swimming 4 times a week doing 8-9000m and progressing to open water.

[@innesdunbar]

What progress in one lesson, really brave of Harry to do this, even more to do it on camera! Really supportive teaching by Mark, a really good video for GTN to make. Hopefully someone watching will pluck up the courage to start learning after watching this. Nice work GTN.

[@gtn]

We hope so too! Thanks to Harry for letting us be part of his journey 🙌

[@shihuachin1990]

Damn. Who is cutting onions in here? Did not expect to get emotional watching this. So happy for him to get past his fears

[@Chesh90]

Did anyone else cheer when Harry pushed off without the float? It’s opened up a world of opportunities for him and his daughter, and he should be super proud of himself! Well done to Mark and GTN for doing this. Can’t wait to see more!

[@gillianpritchard9362]

I could cry, Harry made amazing progress and Mark is such an understanding empathetic teacher. Can't wait for episode 2.

[@krehme]

Such an informative display of the challenges for non swimmers. I learned before I knew fear. Very touching view of what it’s like to learn late.

[@NoorSmal]

I love this video. I was forced to learn to swim as a kid for 3 years, but always associated the pool with the feeling of near drowning, and teachers shouting at me and giving me the feeling I wasn't doing anything right. Now I picked it back up as a 30-year old with a supportive teacher that acknowledges how difficult some of the exercises can be and is helpful and teaches me how to actually get better. The most incredible feeling was a few weeks ago when I managed my first 100m continuous crawl and realised I was enjoying myself and feeling relaxed while doing it.

[@felishawood1904]

I learned how to swim at 35 years old from videos on this channel. It took me 6 weeks to stop panicking in the water, but I'm so thankful I didn't give up. Learning how to relax and breathe while swimming also taught me how to breathe while running, and I FINALLY unlocked both skills. Watching this video got me emotional along with Harry, as I reflect on how far I've come. Thanks for sharing his journey!

[@ayushpandey8223]

This video could not have come at a better time. I am good at running, okay at cycling and suck at swimming. It was nice to see that i am not the only one trying to get better.

[@SBoots29]

The fear is real. For Harry to show vulnerability and getting to the stage he got to fantastic. Mark really showed the patience a true coach should have when teaching. I went through the same thing many years ago but the words of Heather (GTN) were "keep at it even if the gains are small". I now can pound out 3800 meters but there are times when anxiety creeps in. I can control it now and love the swim of the triathlon.

[@matthewshaw2889]

Well done mate!!! Mad props for facing your fear head on. Slow and steady progress will get you there as long as you are persistent! Mark and GTN are a great crew. Supportive, patient and great teachers. I've been very grateful to this team who have encouraged me to push my own boundaries and try things i never thought i could do.

[@WeThErOcKsTaRs]

Pretty nuts that this video uploaded as I’m getting in the pool this evening for the first time in 2 years, and I didn’t know how to swim at all 3 years ago.

[@gtn]

Good luck! 🙌 Let us know how it all goes!

[@conniesullivan757]

Bravo Harry!! We all have our fears and watching you overcome was super inspiring. Great coaching, Mark! Thanks GTN for this video.

[@roarman75]

Wow Harry. You’re incredible to progress like you did. Thank you Mark. What a coach!

[@amirhankursarin5024]

That's so great to watch you helping Harry overcome his fear. Huge respect for both of you! Keep it up!

[@JuanConJua]

The timing on this is wild. This is literally me right now, I'm 28. Had a similar childhood experience to Harry when I was young during a Scouts camp. I'm three days in to swim classes and I can float pretty comfortably on my front and back now. I am learning how to breathe while doing freestyle now.

[@melibaut]

This is an awesome video and great coaching from Mark. The raw side Harry showed in front of the camera is inspiring! I remember using a kickboard when I was learning. Good luck on your journey Harry 🏊🏻‍♂️

[@lendial]

Love how gentle and patient he was with Harry.

[@MrMulrine]

I learnt to swim just after COVID. I started in the corner of the pool blowing bubbles, progressing to sinking mushrooms and then swimming slow lengths. Slow progressive steps is key. It needs to be done at the learners pace, in a controlled environment and allowing breaks or even regression. The moment you become uncomfortable it's buggered. I learnt by following some of the older videos from GTN and they were really helpful. I've gone from being a non-swimmer to comfortably swimming 2k 3 times a week at a decent pace. I now do a lot of stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, sea swimming and snorkelling. Thanks to GTN for helping get me to where I am now.

[@ewep973]

Big ups to Harry! Just hang in there. You’ll get it, one day everything just “clicks”. Remember to try and have fun. GTN this is an awesome video. Mark, hats off for the patience.

[@WaechterDerNacht]

What a video! Probably my favourite video so far! And HUGE props to Harry for doing this on camera and getting so far in this short time! Great how you went step by step and not just "chucking him in to the deep" - which in this case would be the rabiate version quite literally...

[@mitchatkins7402]

You are very encouraging and patient, mark

[@ChrisMarshallUS]

Thank you for doing this series, I swam when I was younger and came back to it a few years ago (now 51) and really am glad I did. To see the progress for someone who was clearly scared was great and an encouragement to others.

[@ianmooney6380]

I can't believe how invested I was in Harry's progress! Really emotional seeing him conquering his fears bit by bit. Massive respect to Harry for his bravery and persistence and to Mark for his kindness skill and encouragement in guiding him through it. I was punching the air with joy every time he achieved the next level!

[@robbiegreenslade]

Ultimate respect for Harry. So much courage to want to overcome a life long fear. Set himself a tough challenge and took it head on. That’s awesome. 🙌

[@winklertribe5268]

What a wonderful and inspirational video!! Thank you Harry, Mark, and GTN !

[@KatieSanders-jo8jj]

This is soooo wholesome! Amazing work mate 💪🏼

[@thomasray8275]

let's go Harry!!!! Absolute beast!!! being in the water is the most non human thing, incredible courage and i can guarantee in a couple months you'll be comfortably doing laps at the pool. keep it up mate 👏👏

[@BobKreder48]

Thank you for this video! It’s always good to get some perspective on people with reservations towards something, and this video definitely gave a good insight. Also well bloody done for the guts of going through, that head below water segment showed how big that hurdle must have been

[@SamThompson-zy5iw]

Great work Harry, not only learning a new skill as an adult but also facing your fears. I learnt to do basic swimming as a kid but couldn’t put my face in the water or be in water if I couldn’t touch the bottom, learning to swim freestyle at almost 50 was tough and I’m not a strong or fast swimmer even now but I can do enough to get through an IM swim. Stick at it, looking forward to the next instalment 😊

[@johnhunter866]

This is how ai learned to swim properly in my 40s, an excellent coach taught me to be comfortable in the water, to enjoy its feel. Once i relaxed and got used to be under water, I then started to learn the stroke. Now I miss water when cant swim. Yesterday, I stopped while swimming in a Scottish Loch to appreciate it all. Learning to swim as an adult is so hard but also a huge achievement.

[@ja.haa.]

soo nice, really lovely series and mark is just the best teacher!! already looking forward to episode 2.

[@Shaneket]

absolutley brilliant !!well done Harry

[@philipjackson1589]

Well done Harry on challenging yourself. It's not easy overcoming your fears. I really can't wait to see the rest of your journey.

[@13Joshuahun]

I know this is for swimming but I wondered if there’s a video on your site for the same thing but with riding a bike? Also on this video, it was awesome to watch! Great seeing someone take on that mental block and challenge themselves

[@gregconcannon8225]

Great video! as an adult onset swimmer myself I did not have this much fear to deal with at the start Well done to have the courage to overcome the fear and great to see the care Marc takes in his instruction. I was proud and I wasn’t even there.

[@2gnv9r]

Looking forward to seeing Harry’s progress on the channel.

[@EXFElectrician]

amazing to see his conficance grow

[@jcc0330]

I learned to swim in my early 30s. It was one of the most humbling but rewarding things I've done. It's still a work in progress and I get tense to begin with, but just keep chipping away on it.

[@TheChez1230]

Fabulous well done Harry and great teaching and patience Mark ❤

[@robgibbon4352]

My king! So proud of this BOI!

[@meganhirschi6248]

Well done! He’s controlling those fears and learning to be confident in the water!

[@melb2596]

What a wonderful video, you both did amazing 🤍

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

❤❤ Great job, Harry!

[@KillaZwerg]

I am looking forward to Episode 2.

[@thfpnw7103]

I was not fearful of water, I just had very stiff shoulders, ankles and arms, plus I could never float to save my life. So my learning experience had never been good. I finally learned 5 years ago in my forties. Think I could have done it earlier had I had a coach like Mark.

[@hendrevandyk]

Well done, mate, for overcoming your fear 💪

[@chaetostoma5]

I learned to swim at 52. I was petrified of deep water. I took lessons at the ymca. It took a while, but now I lap swim and I passed my lifeguard test.

[@larrylem3582]

Holy moly! So many bad experiences in the water reinforced over so many years. That would be an incredibly difficult fear to overcome. Congratulations to Harry!!!!! One of the lessons here is to teach kids to swim while they're young as it'll just get harder as they become older. (And the other lesson is to have a good teacher)

[@Mo-rl8ue]

Harry🎉Great job!!!!!!!

[@marie-louisekarlander2366]

So amazing video, had tears in my eyes. So touched. When the motivation is there and a little help on the road- anything is possible. 😇🏊🏻‍♂️😍 Beginner tips (?) - this is when I worked with children. How to floating on the back - I keep my hand under the neck on the child just with my fingers and promise them that I will not let his/hers face come under water. When they feel good with that they can start kicking with their feet and I still follow them with my hand like a support.

[@adhajamil4263]

start swim at 31,now at 33 just finish my 2k swim at pool pace 2.20 avg.just consistant 2 swim per week.no coach,only youtube. i believe everyone can do it if you put an effort&slot it into your weekly routine 🔥

[@lifestylelucy2808]

Learning to swim as an adult is not easy. It's time consuming and can be expensive, it took me about 3 years (and interrupted by COVID) to be confident to swim from the pool to open water but it is honestly one of the best investments I have made for myself. It took a lot of patience, consistency, facing my fears and a lot of 5am winter mornings in a cold pool to get there but I'm glad I learned. Still have a long way to go in terms of fixing my form and being more efficient but I'm glad that I can enjoy vacations more and I have the basic survival skills.

[@baraktal6537]

This is great. Been trying to get my girlfriend into swimming and these are great first steps. Thank you!

[@dylanhunt5368]

brilliant 😄

[@francofunMB]

Global Therapy Nerwork :) Great job you two. This is not a regular GTN video. Mark, hats off mate. Had you discussed with a medical professional while preparing for this video?

[@idilgumruk2579]

So wholesome ❤

[@vonayengrindhoug8760]

In my mid 40's i started by going to the kiddy pool each morning and as others where in lane pool swimming laps,i was just putting my face in the water and tried to blow bubbles. It was hard. I started with a snorkel mask even and slowly worked to goggles. I get it...

[@Dabelgi]

Thanks for this type Of épisode. It’s the reason I don’t do triathlon because I can’t swin .. may be They can help me to do a goals for 2024 .

[@meganhirschi6248]

I learned from KZbin! Once you get the breathing down, it becomes much better!

[@kelliewoollven2869]

Awesome job I'm learning at the age of 52 it's hard as a adult x

[@ergoroos941]

Learned to swim at age of 37, started two years ago. Went directly to professional trainer who knows how to teach adults. Because I know stories that when you try to learn yourself at adult age, you can learn so wrong movements that it's almost impossible to learn the right ones later again. 2 months intense trainings and I was able to crawl. Of course we are still perfecting the technique to get me ready to do my first ever half triathlon this summer🤘. Goal is simply to finish in time limit. I've never been afraid of water. Ironically I've done many water sports before - kitesurfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, all kinds of water parks etc.. But ironically never even had proper skill to float without lifejacket. But THE MAIN reason to learn properly swim and float was because I really badly wanted to do canyoning without the fear of jumping into water from high altitudes. Even jump from 1 meter platform scared me.. Today 10m no problem ☺. This channel has given me a lot of teaching moments over the past two years and motivation to learn swimming to just be healthy and in normal shape. Thank you guys!!! 🙏🙏

[@user-rz6kc8gr1h]

Starting lessons next week. Haven’t swam since middle school. Almost 40 now. Second best time to plant a tree is today.

[@lizzobeach5179]

He has a natural kick! This guy really missed out on some natural ability!!! See you at the start line some day!

[@_Zabamund_]

I "learned" to swim when I was around 24ish. I had to so I could cross a river in a canoe for study. Then a few years later I did the BOSIET. And now in my late 40s I'm still petrified of water and will never do a triathlon.

[@PepeDalinShow]

I learned how to swim last year at 36 yrs old. I can swim confidently now but I still get scared (without a swim buoy) on waters where my feet can't reach the bottom.

[@AmethystNoir-Official]

As one who was brutally humiliated in my youth for failing to swim and made fun of, I genuinely wanted to go on a rampage, and that desire has remained to this day😢

[@iscavengersam]

How do i find someone that teaches adults that have a fear of large bodies of water? I would really like to learn. Im in my 30s and i know its an important skill to have but ive not been able to make it through a regular ole group swim class.

[@richardspandley6387]

You might want to change the font on the opening credits, had to look twice before I realised it actually says ‘total novice’.

[@Bloosee]

As a person who started swimming as a child, I don't think I would have understood the fear he had. I take it for granted that anyone can just put their head underwater at least.

[@SteveDahlskog]

It is tough to learn with the fear of the water.

[@incompleteversion]

Everyone in the west learn to swim ike this ? We (3 brothers and 5 cousins) learnt to swim by jumping into stone well that was used to water our farm. All we were asked to do is to make sure to push ourselves up so my uncle can grab us and help us through the stone stairs. We did this over and over again till we learnt to swim and within 4 days we no longer needed anyone to help us after we jumped. Eventually learning how to swim .

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

Only ever breast stroked until this year - and taking front crawl lessons - it’s not as easy at it looks 😂

[@Lan.Hoang.Alegria]

Almost all my friends and my adult students can't swim😅, even those who live by the beach or a lake

[@TheRobloxianGirly]

I’m so early

[@melaniehuggins6646]

Well done Harry 😭

[@triradio]

It's really sad how so many had swimming ruined for them as kids by ignorant / sadistic "teachers".