Can you swim? (And what country are you from?)

[Valkyrie-Favor]

Something pretty strange I noticed today. None of the foreign exchange students in my school can swim! They all have a horrible time in PE class. So far, they've all been surprised to know that pretty much every American can - at least, in my area and 5 or 6 States I've been to. None of the missionaries who come to my church or a camp with a huge lake have mentioned being able to swim either. We're talking people from Mexico, Canada, Japan, China, Ukraine, Russia, South Africa, Britain, and Romania.

Obviously I'm not saying that Americans are the only ones who can swim But in your area, how many people can swim? Is it required in high school, or is it just assumed? Does anyone live in a place where being able to swim is weird?

[flojocabron]

For some, the opportunity just doesnt come up.

I can barely swim myself.

I havent been in a deep pool in about 5 years.

You need to find out if a community swimming pool is avalable locally for them.

Also with all their studying and traveling (being exchange students) do you think they have time to swim?

At least this event will become a good memory for their time here in the States.

[o.pwuaioc]

Many people in black communities never learn to swim. In Memphis, there was a story about 4 or 5 black kids who all drowned trying to save another kid who fell into the river - none of them knew how to swim. (Ironically, the initial kid ended up surviving.) It sparked a debate about the lack of swimming in schools.

I never remember not knowing how to swim, although when I was really young all I could do was doggy paddle.

[cookie monster]

As as i am to admit this i can only doggie paddle and i have almost drown twice thanks to assholes thinking it was funny to throw me in water over my head.
I have learned enough to survive but everyone i know can swim,but i am from area that has alot of creeks and swimming holes.

[BoringSupreez]

I think Americans in general know how to swim better than most Western nations, simply because we have a warmer climate than most of Europe. What's an Irish or Canadian guy who doesn't live in a large city going to do with the ability to swim?

[cookie monster]

Many people in black communities never learn to swim. In Memphis, there was a story about 4 or 5 black kids who all drowned trying to save another kid who fell into the river - none of them knew how to swim. (Ironically, the initial kid ended up surviving.) It sparked a debate about the lack of swimming in schools.

I never remember not knowing how to swim, although when I was really young all I could do was doggy paddle.

That happened in pa at a lake as well a few years back the kids parents stood and watched as the kids drowned cause none of them could swim either. There is a place not far from where i live where a guy and his girl decided to swim across a small pond about the width of a football field and someone heard there screams a kid jumped in and was able to save her but the guy drowned. The water was about 6ft deep.

[o.pwuaioc]

Oops, thought it was Memphis, but it was actually Louisiana...unless this is another story...

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/teens-drown-wa ... 4-LwdmGu_I

[foxhound1022]

Shit. Where I live, swimming is incorporated into PE in 2nd Grade.

[Veno]

Shit. Where I live, swimming is incorporated into PE in 2nd Grade.

Holy cow, I hope your exaggerating. I never learned how to swim until my freshman year of high school, which is when everyone is required to learn how to swim during PE.

[foxhound1022]

Nope. They taught us how to swim in Elementary School. We also learned life-saving techniques, and basic watercraft safety in 7th or 8th Grade.