TwistedGray
Contributor
That sucked! Today we were scheduled to do ALL our pool work and do our final tests (written). It was myself and two other students.
We get there and the first thing the instructor says was "get in the water and do four laps, just fins and snorkel". So, he walks over to check the temp of the pool; we are in central California and it's an indoor pool with 3 walls and a roof. The weather here in is not good (typical but not good), raining for the last 2 days and projected to rain throughout the week with snow at abnormal elevations (low). The water temp was 53 degrees and the outside temp is around 45ish. At least that is what the sign said at the bank. The other two guys hop in the water and needless to say they say it is cold. One guy is about 6'3 and 205lbs and the other guy is about 6'0 and 180lbs. I am a whopping 5'5 and 120lbs. I get into the water and instantly start shaking (obviously).
A quick background: I have never snorkeled or dove in my entire life. The last time I went swimming was a few years ago (5-6ish).
Ok, I am in the water and trying to calm my body down so I can attempt to swim 4 laps. They are already done and begin their survival float. I start to swim and keep drinking pool water! I can't keep my head level and the snorkel out of the water; due in part to shaking and the inability to breathe well. Plus, once again...I have never snorkeled. So, we skip that after about 5-6 tries and my constant shivering. I figured out the concept with some coaching from the instructor: Keep your head up and chest up. However, due to the lack of practice and water temps I just couldn't get it down. After about 5-6 tries I didn't have the resolve to keep trying. That's when he said we'll just come back to that.
Get out and get geared up. I'll skip to the end of my training...about 1 hour into it (4 hour session) the instructor asks me if I am still cold. He mentioned he sees that I still am constantly shivering and also mentions that I will still have to swim the 4 laps and do the survival float at the end after we do all the exercises. I hop out of the water and decide to do it another time (when they get a heated pool...2-3 weeks). However, the skills I practiced in water went great. I cleared my mask really well and it was an easy task. Apparently that is a hard thing to do...? (for beginners)
Aced the final written test, but should be back in the water in a few weeks.
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My observations: It seemed a bit overwhelming. It's like learning how to ride a bike with a 100 different buttons, knobs, and levers in a very limited amount of time...
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Can't wait to get back...WHEN THE WATER IS WARM(er)!
We get there and the first thing the instructor says was "get in the water and do four laps, just fins and snorkel". So, he walks over to check the temp of the pool; we are in central California and it's an indoor pool with 3 walls and a roof. The weather here in is not good (typical but not good), raining for the last 2 days and projected to rain throughout the week with snow at abnormal elevations (low). The water temp was 53 degrees and the outside temp is around 45ish. At least that is what the sign said at the bank. The other two guys hop in the water and needless to say they say it is cold. One guy is about 6'3 and 205lbs and the other guy is about 6'0 and 180lbs. I am a whopping 5'5 and 120lbs. I get into the water and instantly start shaking (obviously).
A quick background: I have never snorkeled or dove in my entire life. The last time I went swimming was a few years ago (5-6ish).
Ok, I am in the water and trying to calm my body down so I can attempt to swim 4 laps. They are already done and begin their survival float. I start to swim and keep drinking pool water! I can't keep my head level and the snorkel out of the water; due in part to shaking and the inability to breathe well. Plus, once again...I have never snorkeled. So, we skip that after about 5-6 tries and my constant shivering. I figured out the concept with some coaching from the instructor: Keep your head up and chest up. However, due to the lack of practice and water temps I just couldn't get it down. After about 5-6 tries I didn't have the resolve to keep trying. That's when he said we'll just come back to that.
Get out and get geared up. I'll skip to the end of my training...about 1 hour into it (4 hour session) the instructor asks me if I am still cold. He mentioned he sees that I still am constantly shivering and also mentions that I will still have to swim the 4 laps and do the survival float at the end after we do all the exercises. I hop out of the water and decide to do it another time (when they get a heated pool...2-3 weeks). However, the skills I practiced in water went great. I cleared my mask really well and it was an easy task. Apparently that is a hard thing to do...? (for beginners)
Aced the final written test, but should be back in the water in a few weeks.
----
My observations: It seemed a bit overwhelming. It's like learning how to ride a bike with a 100 different buttons, knobs, and levers in a very limited amount of time...
----
Can't wait to get back...WHEN THE WATER IS WARM(er)!