Yep, did survival skills when I was a kid. Treading on water with neck high for 15 minutes, diving in with PJs and plimsoles, and controlling our breath at the bottom of the pool, taking off our shoes and tying knots in our pyjamas to use as floatation devices. It was pretty intense for a bunch of 10 year olds to do, but yep we did it.

yes, and i even got enrolled (unwillingly) into water polo courses by my older sisters. understandably, the coach hated me because i was overweight and a slow swimmer.

there was a bit of inappropriate verbal harassment from the older members of the water polo team. after that, i got self-conscious and eventually stopped swimming.

maybe i'll try swimming again.

Yep.

Part of schooling in NZ.

A lot of kids also get extra lessons, because well it's NZ.

note: the furthest from the coast you can get in NZ is 119.44 km (74.22mi)

Yes - after I nearly drowned in the ocean as a child, I was promptly enrolled in swimming lessons.

No. I don’t feel comfortable being in situations where I’d learn. I’m pretty sure I’m to skin and bones to even float properly.

Yes, and I learned to float to swim further

i learned to swim by puking so hard that the puke leaving my mouth propelled me through the water