It might seem very unlikely that someone from the Caribbean would not be able to swim. We, however, typically swim in that Caribbean sea and to a lesser extent in the Atlantic Ocean. We do not typically swim in swimming pools. As such, there are so many factors outside of our control. Waves, strong tides, leg cramps, sharks(not very likely) and just the vastness.

Every year there are drownings and these victims are not only amateur swimmers. Sometimes very powerful swimmers die. Parents and grandparents become scared and over-protective. They banish us from going “down di bay”. Unless of course you are a boy. Just like my older brother, he would sneak out, flout the rules and would still go swimming with his friends regardless. My brother learned to swim by being pushed off of a pier by his friends. He’s brave!

Me. I was too chicken. Partly because I was not about to break granny’s rules and the fact that I nearly drowned at age 12.

I was walking backwards into the sea.

NEVER TURN YOUR BACK TO THE SEA!!

That little section where the waves hit the sand was carved out. So I walked backwards into about a 2 feet drop. I slipped under the water and my life flashed before my eyes. My friend’s dad came and pulled me out. When I stood up the water was just up to my knees. It didn’t matter I was humiliated in front of my friends, they all stood by laughing at me flapping round for dear life…in shallow water. I had also inhaled lots of seawater, my eyes were burning and my ears were clogged.

I was fine afterwards in body but mentally that has triggered a life long phobia. I was taking swimming lessons in high school and was progressing, but we switched sports and I never really learned.

I made certain that my son learned to swim though.

I feel I could overcome my fear of drowning and learn to swim I could conquer the world! We have such breathtaking beaches in St.Kitts and Nevis and I can never fully enjoy them ashore.

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