When you think of swimming lessons, you quickly think of children trying to keep their heads above water by treading water. Yet there are also many adults who cannot or do not dare to swim. For example, 76-year-old Jan Groot from Schagen takes swimming lessons for adults at the De Beeck swimming pool in Bergen. Due to a serious accident in which he ended up in the water with his car, he did not dare to swim for a long time.
“I have been an athlete for years. I play tennis, I play billiards, but I didn’t swim,” says Jan, who was so afraid of the water that he only dared to go into the water up to his knees. That fear arose forty years ago when he played with his truck ended up in the Doggersvaart. “I was then thrown out of the car and ended up in the water. I quickly had to drive again because of my work, but I always avoided swimming after that.”
Like almost every child in the Netherlands, Jan also has his swimming diplomas. According to swimming teacher Roel Vooijs, it is mainly the fear of the water that causes him to tense up while swimming. “You especially noticed that when we went to the deep part. Then his stroke changed and you could see in his face that he was becoming anxious. That is getting better now and that is nice to see.”
NH Nieuws followed Jan during his swimming lessons, watch the video below (text continues)
According to Loes Brakenhoff from Holland Sports There are still quite a few elderly people who cannot or do not dare to swim. “It is considered very normal, but there are many people who are afraid of swimming. People are also a bit ashamed of it. We try to break that taboo, just come along and swim. We do it in groups but also privately .”
Jan’s ultimate goal is to take a dip in the pool with the grandchildren without fear. It still takes some lessons, but it’s going in the right direction. It’s hard work, but the lessons are paying off. “It’s fun to swim with your grandchildren or with acquaintances. Normally I always stayed on the sidelines. , I want to join.”