When I was 11 years old I was pushed into the deep end from behind by someone in my swimming lesson at school. I remember plunging into the pool, seeing bubbles and hoping that I’d come out at the top again. When I eventually got out, I was in shock and the impact of what happened to me in the pool meant that I didn’t want to take swimming lessons anymore.
I remember when I was 13 watching pupils learning how to tread water and pick up bricks from the bottom of the pool and wishing I could do that.
I dealt with my fear of swimming by pushing it to the back of my mind. I didn’t make it a priority because my parents can’t swim and it never featured in my day to day activities, so I could get away with it. Not knowing how to swim never prevented me from going on holiday or travelling around Australia, so I didn’t feel like I was missing out.