We interviewed Vic recently, an experienced swimming coach on BookingStoreHK platform with more than 500 students taught in Hong Kong. We asked him some of the common questions that people have when learning to swim and threw some of our own to help people understand what to expect when hiring a swimming coach. Interview details below.
- Where did you learn to swim?
I learned how to swim when I was in college.I chose the PE class to learn swimming. I also asked my classmates to teach me how to swim. But what really made me a good swimmer was that I learned from the coaches in the swimming school when I was training to be a swimming coach.
- What do you like most about swimming?
Swimming is like meditation for me when I can really focus on my motions. Strokes after strokes, breathing after another, I feel peace and joy when I swim.
- How do you train for swimming?
I focus on every movement when I swim. I watch my strokes and correct every movement when I find anything wrong. Also, sometimes I would record my swimming with the help of others and review it later.
- How can beginners learn to swim?
In my opinion, beginners should find a coach because people who swim well don’t really know how to teach. Then, the beginners can practice step by step to get familiar with the techniques.
- What is the one advice that you want to give to everyone who wants to learn swimming?
Don’t be afraid of water. Water supports you, just keep practicing.
- What is the most common mistake that people make when learning to swim?
People tend to think too much and are impatient. I think they should be more patient and don’t put too much pressure on themselves.
- What is the most common question people ask you when training?
How soon I can swim or how soon I can swim freestyle or breaststroke. As I said, a lot of them are quite impatient.
- When do you suggest people should hire a swimming coach? Day 1 when they get into the pool or after some time when they get used to the pool?
I suggest that if possible, as soon as you start to learn swimming because if you develop bad habits when you start to swim, it’s really hard and time consuming to change.
- Your biggest challenge when teaching people to swim?
Impatience because people are too rushed to learn swim and skip some steps
- How long does it take for people to move from surviving in water to mastering it?
It really depends,everyone is different. I can only say that on average, people can learn how to swim in 8 – 10 sessions, but to be able to master swimming, it takes years.
- Is swimming the best workout? What are your thoughts?
Swimming is one of the best workouts because it can help you out of gravity and it’s whole body movement. You will have the least injury while swimming. You don’t feel sweaty when you are in the water.
- Your favourite swimming style?
Freestyle.
To book swimming classes with Vic, check out his BookingStoreHK listing for more details
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