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I would try a YMCA or a park district to see if they offer swimming classes. I am like you and can float but cannot swim. I would love to learn and I am planning on taking classes soon.
I haven't done any lessons so I can't offer knowledge there - but I just wanted to mention I can't really swim either! 
So, you're not alone! Like you, I can float, and do the frog thing (underwater only), but that's about it.
My guy is planning on taking me to the pool at the gym, and teaching me there, where I won't be embarassed in front of a bunch of people. (Like the tons of kids in the apartment complex pool!).
Maybe you could try something like that! Doubles as quality time with your man 
I learned to swim as a kid through group classes at the local community center. However, although I could get from one end of the pool to the other, my form was bad and I was exhausted after one lap.
I took one on one lessons at a gym with a private instructor and my stoke technique is so.much.better. I bought six sessions for $250, so I think your local rec center is ripping you off. Maybe you could call around to private gyms in your area that have pools? Sometimes they will let non-members come in and take lessons.
Probably the biggest reason why you're tired after one lap is because your body position is wrong. Do you feel like your legs are sinking? If so, you are probably kicking a lot to keep your legs up and tiring yourself out. If you go to YouTube, you can find some videos of proper (modern) freestyle technique where you are keeping your head down and rotating your body from side to side. Also, there is a company called Total Immersion that has weekend freestyle workshops at different locations around the country and they sell books and videos as well.
Actually on my first year at Collage had to cover my nose and didn’t float at all; then I started going 3 times a week, on a year I was competing for my collage team ( Not the best of the swimmers) but after two years I got lots of medals and stuff.
So I'm a true believer that you can learn at ANY age, and be good at it :)
I learned to swim as a kid. My parents sent me to swim classes my whole childhood. I then began to compete in syncro swimming and competitive speed swimming. It did take a long time to get good at it. Lots of practice!
I would say a one on one lesson will be the best rout. I know its costly but totally worth it! Its a great sport to know and can be a wonderful workout as well. It hard to say how long it would take to really learn and get to be a strong swimmer. Its different person to person.
Good Luck!
I am a swimmer. Love love love swimming. Been doing it since I was little.
As for learning, for the most part you can teach yourself. Just because you can't do traditional strokes doesn't mean you can't swim laps. I would start by going to lane swim at your community pool, grabbing a flutter board, and holding it out in front of you while you flutter kick (up and down motion from your hips, like you're walking with cement legs -- lock your knees and point your feet and kick). If you feel comfortable after a while you can try to add in arms: one at a time, move your arms basically in a circle (let go of the flutter board with one hand, pull it through under the water, out of the water, and over until you grab the board again, then repeat with the other arm).
If you don't feel comfortable teaching yourself, you could sign up for adult swim lessons at the local YMCA, or some such. Unfortunately, they may not be affordable.
If you are trying to lose weight swimming, though, it's going to be difficult. Swimming is good exercise and keeps you toned, but it's especially hard for women to lose weight doing it because it's a cold environment, and you float in the water so there's minimal resistance.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, bees! I should clarify that we only have one community center in my area unless you live in a private community (which I don't). Also, none of the gyms in my town have swimming pools, unfortunately... It is definitely nice to know how many people still can't swim at our age and how many have learned as an adult, though!
I really like the idea of getting my husband involved but when I brought it up at lunch he was a little resistant; I think he is a little self-conscious of wearing a swimsuit. Hopefully, I can encourage him to participate with me! I also like the idea of looking into some swimming videos. All very helpful! And, Sakoro, you pretty much pinpointed exactly what is wrong. I think I kick my legs like crazy and then I get super tired after a short distance.
Besides the rec center and local gyms, does anyone have any other ideas on where to find personal trainers? I guess I could always advertise on Craigslist, but I'd really like a professional if possible.
ETA: Thanks for the tips, Jenniphyr! I will try that. I'm not really looking to lose wieght so much as strength my muscles and breathing. Also, we live on a lake and it'd be nice to go out farther than 3 feet when we go to the beach. :)
I learned to swim very young...and it's one of my favorite things to do. The local high school had lessons every summer. I'm not sure who organized them, but I don't think it's uncommon for high school pools to be used this way in the summer. My Mom was not really a swimmer, so she took adult swim classes at the same place (if I remember they were not held during the same time, so you don't have to feel self-conscious learning with a bunch of 5 year olds).
Good idea, fizicsgirl! I'm not sure whether our high school has a pool or not, but I will call and ask! At the very least, I think they have a swim team...
Spring I just wanted to pass on some encouragement! I grew up swimming, and on a swim team, so am a strong swimmer. My parents have a lake place, and its a bit nerve weacking to me to think about their poor swimming skills If something were to happen with the boat!
Swimming is great low impact cardio. When I was a lifeguard we even had a group of pregnant women who would swim laps for exercise. I think you will consider whatever money you spend to be a very good investment in the long run. Good luck!
Thanks, CHK! I will be sure to post again once I find the right starting point!
You could also try and talk to the lifegaurds at the public pool. They may know/be able to give you lessons for some extra cash. I also agree that you can teach yourself if you cant find them at an affordable price. The kick boards are a great way to keep your head up and still be in the water. Also, if you cant get a board, jtry just holding onto the wall and kicking to get the kicks right. I work a summer camp right now and we are at the pool 3 times a week, and a lot of the time, playing in the pool, and just hanging out is even more of a workout than laps. you dont realize you are working out.
Oh yeah, if you get ahold of a swim team, you may ask if you can just practice with them. If they are a summer team, or they are preping for the school year they should have a regular practice in the summers. Then you will be able to do laps with people who are also doing laps and they will be able to teach you too. The swimteam I was on was for chilren 6 and up and all levels of knowledge!
Hey Mrs. Spring,
I was a lifeguard/swimming instructor and I taught adult swim lessons and private swim lessons, so I have a few thoughts. First of all, don't do the $110/hour private sessions... they're a rip-off. You don't need high-end ultra-expert advice (which they had *better* be offering at that price!) - you just need someone to walk you through the baby steps.
If I were you, I'd try to find someone who knows how to swim, and offer them a more reasonable fee to come work with you at the pool. The lifeguards probably cannot do it - most places have policies that employees can't use the pool to run private swim lessons on the side. (And similar policies for members - don't hand cash over on the pool deck.) But maybe if there's a high school or college swim team near you, you can find someone with teaching experience?
Build your skills slowly... it's all muscle memory, and if you try to do too much, your technique will be off and you'll learn bad habits.
Good luck!
Good for you for wanting to get into swimming. I haven't done it consistently for years, but I've been swimming my whole life. I don't actually remember ever learning--must have just been as a kid. I swam in HS for a few years--backstoke and freestyle.
Starting with a kickboard will help you get the leg kicking down. I think someone else made the point about how you want to try to keep your legs closer to the surface, as opposed to kicking with your toes pointed down to the bottom of the pool.
I wonder if you could post a flyer or something at a local pool looking for a "coach" to help you get the basics down. I know when I used to swim laps in college, I kidn of made friends with some of the other folks who swam when I did. We all kinda helped each other tweak our technique and stuff. You may be able to make friends and find some fellow swimmers to help you out.
All the best to you and let us know how it goes!!
I don't know how to swim either, although I took lessons when I was younger (twice...and obv did not learn anything!) but friends of ours took lessons at the Y last year in preparation for a trip to Hawaii so that is probably where I will look when it's time for me to learn (again!) good luck!
I learned as a child, but as an adult I just finished a class geared towards teaching adult beginners (the teacher was kind enough to teach me more advanced moves.) The other students were definitely beginner level - one could barely get into the water - and by the end of the four weeks (2x a week classes), they were at least able to swim a little bit. I would definitely see if your local YMCA offers an adult beginner class, or look for an instructor on craigslist.
i'm no dara torres...lol. (although i adore her and she is one of my heros!). i learned as a child. on my own. with adult supervision of course.
have you checked out the Y or park district? they usually offer classes and the costs are relatively much lower than a private gym or club.
have fun and don't sweat it. the number of times you practice is going to determine how good you will be. i don't know what your time frame for learning is, but try to practice at least 4-5x a week. you should be swimming well in no time. good luck!
Update! Well, I posted on Craigslist and got two replies, both from guys my age who could only make commitments to lessons during the summer (aka... ski/snowboard bums). Unfortuantely, the community swim team only allows kids up to the age of 16, so I can't practice with them either.
However, a couple of our friends are training for some triathlons right now. I thought they were way too hard core to help me out, but when I mentioned I was interested in taking up swimming, they were super excited! Until their competitions are over, I am working by myself in the pool, using the kick board and the technique Jenniphyr and other suggested. I've been doing this 3 times a week for the last two weeks, and I think I'm seeing some improvement already. At the end of the summer, my friends will start swimming with me once a week to correct my technique.
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and suggestions! You guys and gals are great. :)
Nice! I'm glad its going well for you. I don't know what it is about swimming laps but it seems so intimidating. I actually do know how to swim but learned as a kid and haven't ever swam for exercise. I want to get into it though, with three knee surgeries behind me at age 26, I need to find some exercise with less impact!!
The kickboard idea sounds like a great place to start. I was going to ride a stationary bike tonight but maybe I'll try swimming instead. Thanks for the inspiration!
Good luck, bridebella! I felt kinda dumb using a kickboard at first, but now I recognize all the other "regulars" at the lap swim hour and I feel a lot more comfortable. Plus it's really fun!
@Mrs. Spring - Thanks! I got out there and tried the kickboard and really liked it. It is a good step to start getting used to being in the wayer. My FI went with me and he used to be a swimmer and gave little tips to keep improving. I just bought goggles and a swim cap so the next step is actually swimming!!
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So it's not like I can't swim at all. I float really well (hahaha!) and I can do the frog kick thing. But I've never taken any formal swimming lessons or anything. I should add that I had a swimmer friend try to teach me freestyle and breast stroke in college, but I was never good enough to complete more than 1 lap at a time. And now, years later, I can't remember the things she taught me and can't hardly do a stroke swim at all.
I would like to start swimming regularly in our community pool, but I'd like to take some lessons first. Our local rec center offers some adult classes geared toward strengthening your stroke and intensifying your cardio, but the brochure says you have to know how to swim in order to participate. They also offer 1 on 1 sessions with a personal trainer, but sessions are $110 a pop. I'm thinking it would take me a few sessions in order to feel comfortable swimming with the cardio class, but I don't want to spend $500 or more to get good enough. The only other swim lessons offered at the rec center are geared toward 3-13 year olds.
If you are a swimmer, did you learn as a child? Or are you new to the sport? Do you know of any resources to learn swimming as an adult that don't cost a ton? Also, how long do you think it would take a newbie to be able to swim laps? I would be hitting the pool 2-3 times a week to practice.