<p>Hi, I am a prospective 2013er and was just wondering how big swimming is at USAFA. I’m not very good at swimming…at all, and panic when I can’t touch a wall or stand up. I have heard many horror stories from my brother at USNA, but of course they have a much higher emphasis on swimming there than at USAFA. Any input on swimming activities at the academy and anyone’s experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>I believe that there are PE courses that must be taken in water (like water survival I believe). They're not going to let that huge indoor pool go to waste ;) I'm sure a current cadet would be able to give details on it.</p>
<p>Swimming does play a role here. During Sophomore year you are required to take two PE courses that deal with swimming, Water Survival and Swimming. Both are hated but nessacary things that all cadets must take during their tour here in order to graduate. However you can validate swimming if you perform well enough the first day when they see your performance level. Hopefully I will be able to do that, because I'm not the biggest fan of laps in the pool....;)....</p>
<p>O one more thing, the 10meter, how could I forget. In order to pass the Water Survival(Haze) class, one must jump off our 10 meter board. This is the achielles heel for many cadets.. but I cant wait for to it..:)</p>
<p>argh, i dont really like swimming, but i can do it. </p>
<p>they make you spend a whole semester on each class? that's a year's worth of swimming.. geez</p>
<p>No, each pe class is only 8 lessons, so both swimming classes only amount to about half a semester. Don't let swimming be the only thing that holds you back from applying or wanting to come here, every single grad has gotten through swimming and water haze, you can too.</p>
<p>cdk, you do not have to jump off, you can take a point hit to go off the 5 meter. Sucks regardless. I just finished swimming and I am in Water Survival. I really am bad at it, as in, with 100% improvement in WS I will still fail lol. So, I'm working on getting them to drop me into basic water survival.</p>
<p>If you are a very poor swimmer, you can be placed into basic swimming and basic water survival (16 and 8 lessons respectively). They are designed for people with 0 experience in a pool. Sucks, but you get over it. I don't think water survival is too bad, I just won't be able to pass at this rate! lol o well.</p>
<p>Potter swims like a rock, and is not looking forward to survival swimming at all. She went to NASS two summers ago and tried really hard to do the swimming exercise they had, not good. Looks like basic swimming for her too hornet.</p>
<p>Meh, S*** happens. :)</p>
<p>Yeah, I swim like a brick.
I went off the 5m on Friday and landed wrong...remember, feet first! Landing thigh first is a bit painful, lol. I don't like it, but you just gotta take the leap sometimes.</p>
<p>Am I the only one who thinks jumping off a 10m board sounds like a lot of fun? I love high dives!</p>
<p>I think those of us not liking the 10m are actually in the minority.</p>
<p>jumping off the 10 meter is a blast. best part of the class. its quite a rush with the water coming at you, as opposed to jump where the ground is thousands of feet away.</p>
<p>grading is pretty tough, but you'll get through. and water survival saved a couple ppl's lives last summer</p>
<p>grading is tough? howso?</p>
<p>How are you tested on swimming the first day? Does the style matter? Because I have no problem with breaststroke or backstroke, but the freestyle kills me every time.</p>
<p>Swimming is based on 100 points
50- 250 meter swim
30- elementary backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke
5- treading/drown proofing
10- 5 meter scenario
5- underwater swim (75 ft)</p>
<p>i say "tough" b/c the times are pretty fast if you don't swim much. that and the efficiency strokes are pretty few for the distance. its hard to get an A, but easy enough to pass</p>
<p>agreed. for the class, here's the maxes.
3:10 or less on the 250
5 strokes for elementary backstroke and 6 for the other two.
75 ft underwater swim.</p>
<p><55 seconds for the 5m + swim to the end of the pool</p>
<p>definitely need to hit up my neighbor's pool then. haha.. i dont swim often</p>