Duncan Goodhew on swimming

I have to consciously stop myself from thinking about what might be in the water as I'm swimming along, or else I'm afraid I'll leap out and dash for the hills!

The chlorine overpowers the uric acid.

It's not the chlorine per se that makes the eyes sting; it's the pee in the chlorinated water. I bet that makes you feel better.

I had an operation on my leg for osteomyelitis when I was eight years' old: this, in my mum's view, rendered me 'delicate', so between us we contrived to get me out of all sporting activities -including swimming - for the rest of my school days. When we used to go the pool, or on holiday with our children, I felt like a right fool, clinging on to the edge and shrieking if anyone splashed me. So, at age 35, I learnt to swim. I had lessons for about a year, and now I have a nice breast stroke and a good front crawl. It turns out I wasn't delicate at all!

I love swimming, was brought up from an early age swimming in the sea - Firth of Clyde. I don't go as often as I should - keep promising myself I'll start swimming regularly again - next week - or next month...

II was put off swimming permanently when I was running [I know!] past those rack of baskets, I slipped made a grab for the racking, knocked a basket off the shelf and a prosthetic arm fell out. I was about 7

Haven't been to a bath in decades posie! I can also remember the strange echoey sound of the swimming baths when I used to go as a child; seemed a bit nightmare'ish.

I like to swim and I do so as often as I can, but I just cannot get my head under the water. I absolutely hate the sensation of water bubbling over me and I can't open my eyes. I think I had a 'nasty experience' in a former life as I can't stand seeing the underneath of boats - spooky feeling comes over me

I had the opposite experience, posie, and found swimming pool water more chlorinated and stinging on the eyes than they were when I was a kid. So much so, that I took to wearing swim goggles. I never needed goggles when I was younger and could swim quite happily underwater with my eyes open.

Tegan, have you been to a swimming pool in recent years? I don't know what they put in the water now but it's not like the chlorine that they used to use that resulted in stinging eyes.

I really hate the chlorine in the water but I have thought about having swimming lessons as it's certainly the best form of exercise you can do. Trouble is my coordination is terrible [thinking breast stroke here] and the nearest I get to swimming is a strange sort of doggy paddle. I've always reckoned it's cause I've got thunderthighs and they rise to the top .

I try to go swimming once a week & do 50 lengths. I taught myself when younger & my breaststroke style is awful too. I still hate putting my face in the water & found that holding my head up to prevent this was giving me neck ache. To prevent this I swim 1 length with my head on the right, then the next length head to the left, & so on.
I keep telling myself I should really take some lessons but this works for me.

I learned to swim in the sea when I was about seven years old and I still prefer sea swimming or open air pools but that is a rare opportunity nowadays. I need to take some lessons to learn how to swim more efficiently as my breaststroke 'style' is awful and I now get neck ache after a couple of lengths and this puts me off the only exercise I really enjoy apart from walking.

I'll stick to my bicycle. And dry land.

I can only do it with armbands on.

I just know I'd sink without them.