#non-swimmer

[greatswimmingdrills-blog]

Every day, Every week!

[oceanswim]

When I'm having a bad day I like to imagine non-swimmers swimming the 200 fly

[all-swimmers-know]

Swimmer: I'm so tired from all the double practices I've done!

Non-swimmer: I know how you feel! Playing soccer three times a week is so tiring!

Swimmer: DONT PRETEND TO KNOW MY PAIN!!!

[mademoisellegouze]

Everyone laughed a lot about episode 3 of Free! Nothing wrong with that but...

... please take into consideration that Rei's epic jump isn't a laughing matter. Beware spoilers below the cut.

To be honest, I laughed alot in these 25 minutes, mostly about Rei, yes. But once I finished and the content sunk in I felt the urge to discuss the most unexpected occurrence from todays episode:

The fact that someone is a non-swimmer seems rather odd, even more though if that person lives in an industrialized nation. The fact that Rei was too embarrassed to tell the truth and rather tries to swim nonetheless - facing the risk of drowning - is horrible. At the same time it's understandable, since no one peddles their shortcomings around.

Swimming is considered one of those basic abilities one should achive until adulthood, like driving a bicycle. There is a considerable number of people who are unable to do so and who don't tell anyone about it, and that bears great danger. Every year, in every country people drown in public pools or bathing lakes because they can not swim.

Non-swimming is the physical counterpart of analphabetism; in both cases you cannot predict one of these abilities or lack thereof by just looking at someone. If there has, aside from plot development, a deeper meaning or reason of social awareness-raising to include something like that in Free!, I highly appreciate it.

In my eyes Rei was is the über-sportsman, who not only seems qualified for a lot of sports, but also radiates the air of a serious professionalist. You just don't expect him to be a non-swimmer - I rather expected Kou or Amakata to be one. You just don't expect healthy looking peolple who do sports to be like that, as much as you would't consider a handsome man in a suit to be illiterate.

My point being: we rashly attribute a set of skills and qualities to the majority of society - while thinking we never encounter someone from the minority. While it's very admirable when non-swimmers and analphabets openly state their situation, I think the majority of society should be aware that circumstances like these exist and keep in mind that someone may need help.

I like how the Free! characters dealt with the situation. They handled it very professional but were at the same time quite compassionate. And, most importantly, they didn't judge Rei for being a non-swimmer. For me this was the most important moment of the episode.

Moral of the story: You don't judge people for their shortcomings, you just give them a hand when they ask for help.

  This post has become so long, it just began as a little thought I wanted to share with all of you. My apologies for the length.

[yancha-tabula-trickster]

It's not bad to be a non-swimmer. There are reasons why I am, and I am sick of hearing people sayi that it's almost as bad as being an illiterate. Which it is not. Both aren't bad or shameful things. It is like that, because of reasons or not. Stop lecturing me about being a non-swimmer. That I have to learn it. For the case you don't know, I'm still not drowned. I'm still alive. I want to learn it, yes. I want to make the experience of swimming. But I don't think people should feel bad abour being a non-swimmer. You know, it's possible to live without swimming. So stop the arguments and the pity.

[wewandertoo]

10 Reasons Why You, the Non-Swimming Traveler, Must Learn How to Swim

Note: I wrote this entry back in early March before my first ever swimming lesson. Can I swim now? Yes. I still need to practice catching air between strokes, but I can go back and forth in a swimming pool. Can I survive in deep, open water? Maybe not yet--part of the fear is still there, but I choose to put my faith in time, patience, and persistence. The water will find me and I will meet it halfway soon. Very soon.

This is me talking to myself.

Hello, self. On the eve of your first (real?) swimming lesson, I figured that you need a little pep talk. First off, you've decided to face one of your fears head-on. Clap clap! Now, before you go freak yourself out in the best way possible, let me give you 10 reasons why you, future ex-non-swimmer, should learn how to swim.

1. Because shooting photos underwater is perennially cool. It's on every season of America's Next Top Model, remember?

2. Because you want to do more than just snorkel when the best and most pristine coral reefs in the world are within your country.

3. Because you are scheduled to jump off a cliff and a waterfall because Karla said so. There may be life jackets, sure, but you know you're paranoid android enough to take possible malfunctions into account.

4. Because you're almost always around water when you travel, no matter the country. What if your boat pulls a Titanic? (read: paranoid android)

5. Because you've always wanted to swim with the whalesharks ever since you saw the movie Donsol.

6. Because you're a tropical girl from a tropical country with brown skin to match. Random Europeans were overheard talking about you ("How many times has she been to the beach? 40?"). Live up to the stereotype for once, island girl!

7. Because you're tired of being needy and holding on for dear life to people you've just met. Give the tour guides a rest. They had probably been cursing you under their breath for being so high maintenance (no, I'm kidding, they're the best!). Don't let Beyonce down and be an independent woman, you single lady. Now put your hands up! 

8. Because you announced to the world (Facebook, all 3 readers of your blog, mama), that you will surf when you go back to Baler. Which, may I tell you, is tentatively set for next week [note: We didn't get to go... yet!]. Stand by your words, because I know that you really mean what you say.

9. Because most people float, and they do when they are chilled out and relaxed. You have an added advantage because you're a girl. Science can explain it and all. Know the water and trust in it (and your swimming instructor). Trust is key.

10. Because you've conquered your fears before. You weren't a fan of thrill rides but now you don't freak out as much. You were pathetic at rock climbing up a wall in 2007 but you climbed up an actual rock formation in 2013 without trembling or breaking a sweat. And admit it, you love the water. Now go take that relationship to the next level.

  Okay, maybe you just scrolled through all that. So here, have a relevant Calvin and Hobbes comic:

So go on and tell me how it goes. I'll be here, waiting... creepily... in the internet. :)

[star-maiden-fufu]

I am one of those people who can't swim. I can't even float without help in the form of a floatation device. Thus, when I watch people in movies floating with no help, I just stare and think, 'How much salt is in that body of water cause they can't be floating on their own. They just can't be.'