Do you want to learn to swim? Then you've come to the right place!

Getting Started to Swim.

The Mr. Dustin's Swim Academy newsletter was started because so many people didn't know the basics. Any ages, any skill level, and you CAN improve. You just need to know what you don't know, and then use logical pathways to improving those skills.

I created this series so that you could start from the first one, and then proceed to read through them all to get a huge grasp on how to actually swim. I am referring to both this new "2026" series coming out this year (monthly), as well as this newsletter as a whole. In fact I encourage you to click the tag, 🏊 Mr. Dustin's Swim Academy, and then quickly scroll to the first post. Start from the beginning. Although you can also just read this shorter series as well!

Why + Philosophy:

Now you have to know the reasoning behind what you're doing. This goes for any skills, but I find that knowing your why is especially important when you're swimming. When you go under water it puts you quickly into the fight or flight mode, and that why will anchor you down mentally.

Giving you the necessary time to think, and then execute the steps you need in order to move in the water. WITHOUT PANIC.

How + Physics:

We're going to go into the psychology, philosophy, and physics of swimming of course. Starting with the 3 Steps of Swimming, and then putting them to use in many different ways.

I do recommend that even if you are competent in swimming, that you follow the regimen closely. As you may not be as good as you think you are with the basics, such as front crawl or swim breathing.

The way I train is different than other instructors, and that is to your benefit.

What + Psychology:

Come in with an open mind, and try to incorporate the 3 Steps into every time you get in the pool to swim back and forth.

It's not just a learning or beginner's mindset, but that of a productive mindset. You need to follow the 3 Steps, so that you can proceed to MOVING in the water. Functionally getting from point A to point B, and then doing it more efficiently. Then finally adding the breathing to the mix as well, without messing up the steps.

Don't worry I keep referring to the 3 Steps, and I am fully assuming you don't know what they are. That is okay, and I don't want you to yet. You're welcome to read old posts if you're curious, however for now you just need to be in a mind of being comfortable in the water.

Comfortable with the speed of these written lessons. As you aren't going to learn as quick as if I was right there in the water with you. Even then, every person learns at a different rate of experience too.

What should you do?

I don't want to leave you without something to do. I always feel that you should practice SOMETHING when you get into the pool. The mindset behind these posts was that you would read the post then go swimming.

If you're just starting out, then I encourage you to simply just put your face under the water. Try not to plug your nose, but until you know how to hold your breath I do know that it can be hard.

If you are well beyond that point, then I encourage you to try and go for 3-5 laps without breathing between the walls. It is a lot harder in bigger pools, but maybe if you are in an olympic sized one; Then try to only go for one time in the middle!

The point of both of these exercises is to push your lungs, and to put you in a state of distress mentally. The reason being is that I need you to stay calm in those moments. 85% of swimming lessons are literally me getting the person to not physically panic when pushing themselves to level up under water. Even the most advanced swimmers "panic", but it is more of a physiological response. That gets exasperated my mental panic as well.

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Disclaimer: This is advice for people to level up their swimming, or perhaps get started in the first place. While you swim you should make sure you are doing so in a public facility with a lifeguard on duty for safety.