By Mamata Aryal
21st July 2023
With a bucket in one hand and a water quality probe in the other, I stood at the banks of the Narayani River, the deepest river in Nepal. As I prepared to collect water samples from the river, my research team leader asked, “Do you know how to swim?” As I shook my head, she told me, “Then be cautious and gather the samples from the edge of the river only. Your safety comes first.”
This was my ironic story—while I loved studying water bodies—ponds, lakes, and rivers, I could not swim myself. As a freshwater researcher, I sampled and assessed water to determine its suitability for human use and the survival of aquatic organisms, but I was not sure about my own survival in water bodies!
Taking the first step
Learning to swim had always been a deeply personal goal for me, one that had often seemed too distant to achieve. Each year, I found myself postponing the aspiration, but this summer, I was determined to make it a reality. In my pursuit, I came across an intriguing program offered by the swim school called “Swimming Everyday Nepal.” The program provided a 7-day group training consisting of a total of 14 hours of swim instruction. After researching the school and hearing reviews from past trainees, I decided to take the plunge—literally—and give it a shot. Little did I know that this experience would surpass my expectations.
I joined the program alongside a group of 20 strangers, each with their own motivation to conquer swimming. Some among us feared water, having faced near-drowning experiences, while others, like me, simply lacked the skill. We were a mix of genders, ages, professions, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, all diving into the world of swimming together, both excited and nervous.
“Ready, one, two, and push!” echoed the voices of our coaches. And they pushed us, not just literally, but figuratively too, teaching us the techniques, patiently explaining, and demonstrating; identifying weaknesses, and nurturing strengths, all while motivating us to do better.
Discovering the Joy of Swimming
The first day was pleasantly surprising for me as I experienced first-hand that water wasn’t out to sink me. In science, we study the water’s buoyancy, even calculating the upthrust of water. Theoretically, of course, I knew that. I had even taught this to students. However, experiencing it was an entirely different experience. Within half an hour of the very first day, I was able to accept the buoyancy and relaxingly float on water. I was ecstatic beyond words. As the coaches assured us “Stay calm, let your body loose, and the water will keep you afloat,” I learned that water is not actually an enemy to defeat, it is a friend to embrace.
With each passing day, I moved through the water with newfound grace. The once intimidating depths of the pool transformed into a place of liberation and joy. One might think that personal training would be best for beginners, with group training being less effective, as individual strengths and weaknesses might go unnoticed. Surprisingly, it was the group training that played a pivotal role in my progress. In the group setting, I learned not only from my own experiences but also from observing others’ mistakes, strengths, and techniques. We engaged in friendly competition and collaboration, inspiring each other with thoughts like, “If other beginners can do it, so can we!” The camaraderie among us enriched the learning experience, making it more rewarding.
Eager to Dive into the Future
In just seven days, my swimming journey took an incredible turn as I not only gained enthusiasm to learn but also valuable techniques, not just limited to swimming, but also related to breathing and survival.
For the first time in decades, I found myself genuinely enjoying the learning process, where learning didn’t feel like a chore. One of the most rewarding aspects was witnessing the transformation of a fellow participant who had initially feared water. Now, with newfound confidence, they were confidently swimming halfway across the pool. As for me, I can hardly imagine the old me believing the progress I made in a week. Could the “me” from two weeks ago have imagined diving confidently and independently into a 5ft pool? Absolutely not.
The coaches played an indispensable role in our metamorphosis. They possessed a genuine passion for teaching, and their unwavering patience made the learning experience more enriching.
A New Beginning
Upon completing the program with Swimming Everyday Nepal, I was amazed to see my once unattainable dream of learning to swim become a reality. Water had truly become a trusted friend, a companion I could rely on.
No one excels in any skill within a week—so obviously I am not excellent at swimming. But I now possess the confidence and willingness to excel at it through continued practice. The confidence and love for learning are the most valuable treasures I gained here.
And I hope this journey is just the beginning of my lifelong friendship with water.