<p>All right, I haven’t been in a pool in about a year, iirc. Now I think I can swim 100 yards continuously (probably a very poor freestyle-esque motion). In fact if the pool was entirely shallow, I know I can. But I know that’s not the case and I have a fear of deep water (panic factor sets in and I just stop moving). So I have three questions:</p>
<li><p>There are 20 lanes of 25-yard lengths, are any of the lanes completely shallow from end to end (say, 4 feet)?</p></li>
<li><p>Are we allowed to swim in those lanes or is the deep water factor nonnegotiable(I know the it’s stated that students have to be comfortable with deep water but just wondering)??</p></li>
<li><p>If deep water is a requirement, then how deep does the pool get?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I know that part of swimming is getting comfortable in deep water situations, but I guess then I never really learned how to swim. I can get from end to end but if I know there is a deep end, there’s a good chance I’ll sink. I haven’t learned how to tread water but I think I can pick that up easily. Maybe I should just take the swimming class? Any input is appreciated.</p>
<p>I can't answer your specific questions, but I'll tell you that you are not alone. S will not be testing and will take the swim class at some point. Will probably be his hardest class in all four years there.</p>
<p>The pool is about 6 feet. Not shallow enough to stand in, but not so deep you can't see the bottom. For all intents and purposes, it could be 4 or 3 feet. I also think the pool is consistently deep in all areas.</p>
<p>My suggestion is that you plan to take the swim test along with everybody else and you see other people go through it. If it still doesn't sit right with you, don't do it now and see if you can get around it.</p>
<p>Hey,
I'm a swimmer on the team (incidentally, we're the ones who help with the test). The pool, at least in the area where the swim test is held is between 8.5 and 9 feet deep. The pool has shallower sections. In the middle, where we teach the neighborhood kids swim lessons, it's only about 3-4 feet deep and where the diving boards are it goes down to somewhere between 14-16 feet deep. There are lifeguards everywhere and we're sitting at (I think) both ends of every lane. The test itself isn't a big deal but there are rules with regards to holding onto the lane lines and how long you stop at each end. </p>
<p>My advice is, if you're really really not comfortable with it, just take the class. My coach is the one who teaches the class and he has to be one of the nicest, least intimidating people ever. The class is also held in the shallower part of the pool. As far as I understand it's just a once a week class for a quarter. I'm not sure if not taking the swim test means that you automatically have to take the class. If you don't have to take the class you could always just go to the pool during open swim with one of your friends and practice until you get to the point where you can swim four lengths. Overall though, I wouldn't stress about it. I know quite a number of people who end up taking the class and it's not a big deal.</p>
<p>According to timeschedules, the swimming class is either 3 times a week for 6 weeks or 2 times a week for 9 weeks. There are two instructors listed: Jason Weber and Chris Hall. Would you mind telling us which one is your coach?</p>
<p>Weber is my coach but Hall is nice too (although I haven't actually seen him in the pool area ever). I've seen Weber teach and I know he gets into the pool with the class, I don't know if Hall does or not.
I know timeschedules list the swimming class as 3 times a week but I'm not sure if they actually adhere to that or not. Last year, I think he only ended up teaching one or two days a week but that could be a function of how many people end up in the class.</p>
<p>Ah, thanks for all the info everyone. I was in the pool the other day and found out that swimming 100 yards is rather daunting and exhausting for a weak swimmer like myself. It was comparable to the first time I ran a 5k when I joined cross country in high school. </p>
<p>Anyways I think I will opt to take the course. 2 times a week for 6 weeks sounds like good exercise. I do have two quick questions though. I never learned how to swim as a child and in high school we were told to just swim laps as the instructors sat back and relaxed. Will this course teach me how to swim and be comfortable in deep water? Also could I get Hall as an instructor if I decide to take swimming in the spring of my first year?</p>
<p>I don't know if you can get Hall in spring. I looked it up in time schedules and he did teach the class last spring as well.
I know the class teaches you how to swim and I think that after you get the technique they take you into the deep water since you do have to pass the test.</p>