How to learn swimming
Knowing how learning works can really help with the stumble-bumble phase of swimming.
Your brain actually follows a set of defined steps to master any skill, a framework called the Conscious Competence Learning Model. Every new skill you learn in swimming will take you through this process.
Why this matters
When you understand the natural stages your brain goes through while learning something new, you’re more likely to:
- relax instead of panic
- expect confusion and resistance (instead of thinking something’s wrong with you)
- seek practice instead of avoiding it
- give yourself grace and time to grow
Most of us are impatient by nature. If we don’t “get it” right away, we tend to think this is stupid or I’m just bad at this. Either of these thoughts may cut short your learning development. Understanding the stages will allow you to see gradual improvement as you develop in swimming.
Here’s the breakdown, with swimming examples.
1. Unconscious Incompetence
“You are not aware of what you don't know” aka “Blissful ignorance”
This is the very beginning. You’re unaware of how complex swimming actually is.
What it looks like in swimming:
You jump in thinking, How hard can this be? Then you try to swim freestyle and realize you can’t breathe without stopping, your legs sink, and everything feels chaotic. You didn’t know there were so many moving parts—until now.
2. Conscious Incompetence
“You become painfully aware of what you don't know”
This is where most frustration lives—and where most people quit.
What it looks like in swimming:
You know you’re lifting your head too high to breathe. You know your kick is off. You know you tense up when water hits your face. But knowing doesn’t mean you can instantly change it. You seem to be grappling with the water instead of gliding through it.
This stage feels clumsy and slow, but it’s actually progress. Awareness always comes before control.
3. Conscious Competence
“I can do it—but I have to think about it.”
Things are starting to click, but they’re not automatic yet.
What it looks like in swimming:
You can coordinate your breathing if you concentrate. You can float better when you remind yourself to relax. Your stroke works—as long as you’re mentally checking in: long body, soft kick, exhale underwater.
It takes effort, and you can’t zone out yet, but this is where real confidence starts to grow.
4. Unconscious Competence
“I just do it.”
This is fluency. The skill runs in the background. This is when you are ready to use this skill in a competition and officially add it to you skills stack.
In my experience it take a minimum of 1-3 months to get to this level working on one skill every day. This may vary depending on the individual. Some of the more advance skills like the underwater fly kick may take more time to feeling comfortable using it in a competition environment.
What it looks like in swimming:
You’re swimming laps without overthinking. You adjust your breathing naturally. If something feels off, you correct it without panic. You might even enjoy the rhythm of the water.
This stage only comes with time and repetition—and it’s built on all the awkward stages before it.
The big takeaway
Confusion, frustration, and awkwardness are signs you’re learning. Every skilled swimmer has passed through these exact stages.
If you expect the messiness, you’re less likely to quit when it shows up. Give yourself patience, practice often, and remember: the stumble-bumble phase isn’t a detour—it’s the path.