I have been working on my front float at my local swim school. The instructors (I swear they’re all 12, I’ve reached the age where everyone under 30 is a kid to me, apparently) have been pretty accepting of the fact that I’m doing my own process and they’re just there to observe. Which is good. The problem is that my amygdala remains firmly convinced that we’re gonna die if we let our hands off the wall. I did get my hands up a few times, enough that the coach slid the laminated sheet with the students’ names and what skills we’re working on under my hands while I had my face in the water. Is it okay that I still can’t fully let go of the wall if I’m making tiny progress every session? I feel like it’s going to take me a month to front float at this pace, but I’m not getting re-traumatized.

I have real trouble staying still while floating, I have a constant urge to move my hands or kick, its like a distraction for me, is there anyway I can learn to not move and just float calmly?

Is there any technique or best way to go from using floation devices, noodles, kickboard etc to not using them? I can kick myself across a pool with a kickboard but apprehensive to not use one.

I'm currently learning to swim as an adult, never learnt as a child as parents couldn't swim. Myself and my husband both can't swim and we've currently had 5 2:1 lessons (30 mins each). He is progressing better than me as he can front float, glide along with his arms and isn't so fearful. I can't explain why I'm afraid as I've been in deep sea and held onto a float, I think it's the thought of letting go and having nothing to grab onto. So far I've managed to put my face in water and I can float on my back and get back up again. When I try to float on my front I'm ok with a wall etc, as soon as I let go I panic and I'm up within a second. Its getting me down as everything in swimming needs this position and I feel at a stop until I can master this front float and not be so scared. Our instructor is teaching us treading water, breaststroke etc and I'm still not comfortable being on my front. I feel like is there any point having anymore lessons until I can get past this? Has anyone got any advice or been in the same position?

I am looking to create 2-3 new videos for the community and want to know what specific steps in our Shallow Water Mastery program is holding you back? Select the option that best fits your struggle point and BONUS if you will describe it in the comments! Ready, GO!