Overcoming Water Fears Transforms Health Journey

Laura McLeod conquered he lifelong fear of water  after learning to swim in her 30s and is now enjoying new confidence and freedom.

Laura, 37, from Aberdeen, began adult swimming lessons in October 2023 after her GP advised that swimming could help ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Despite being aquaphobic for much of her life, she joined Sport Aberdeen’s adult programme under the Learn to Swim National Framework – a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water – and hasn’t looked back.

“Being in the pool is my ‘me time’. It helps my physical health, but it’s just as important for my mental wellbeing.”

Laura McLeod
Learn to Swim student

After years of avoiding pools and beach holidays, she decided to challenge her fears and signed up for adult lessons at her local leisure centre. Within weeks, she began to notice changes in both her ability and her outlook.

Laura mentioned: “It had been over 30 years since I’d been in a pool. I had a fear of the water, but my GP recommended swimming to help with my arthritis and fibromyalgia. I didn’t actually get in the pool until my mobility got really bad, and that’s when I knew I had to do something.

“I started just by walking around the edge of the pool. Gradually, I worked up the courage to get in, and from there, it was tiny steps. I’m still using floats, but can now do the leg kick for front crawl, and I’m working on my arms, the first time I broke water and propelled myself was the best feeling ever.

“I did have a moment recently where I tipped the float and went under, it really knocked my confidence. But with deep breaths and incredible encouragement from my instructors Emma and Rhys, I got straight back into the lesson. That support made all the difference.

“Now I’m in the water six days a week. Between lessons, hydrotherapy, Aqua Zumba, and Good Boost, it’s completely changed my life. I’ve lost nearly 10 stone, I’m in diabetic remission, and I hardly need my inhalers. More than anything, I feel like myself again.

“Being in the pool is my ‘me time’. It helps my physical health, but it’s just as important for my mental wellbeing. I feel calmer, more resilient, and so much happier. Swimming makes me feel like my personal best, and I always come out feeling a hundred times better.”

Laura is one of more than 1,600 adults currently taking part in Learn to Swim lessons across Scotland. The framework is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools, aiming to create ‘Generation Swim’ – a nation of confident, safer and more capable swimmers.

She attributes her initial fear to a childhood experience. Now, Laura says the physical and emotional changes have been significant. 

She added: “If it wasn’t for my lessons, I honestly think I’d still be stuck at home, struggling to move and feeling defeated. Now I’m more mobile, I’m stronger, and my doctor has seen enough progress for me to come off my diabetic medication. I feel like a different person.

“The support from the instructors and lifeguards has been outstanding. They’ve helped me believe in myself, especially after setbacks, and they’ve never let me give up. 

“I would tell any adult non-swimmer or anyone scared of the water: try it. Just take that first step. It really can change your life.”

The Never Too Late campaign, part of the Learn to Swim framework, aims to show that age and fear need not be barriers to gaining this vital life skill. By sharing real-life case studies like Laura’s, the initiative hopes to inspire many more adults to take their first step into the pool.

Dianne Breen, Coached Programmes Manager at Sport Aberdeen, said: “Laura’s story perfectly captures the spirit of what we aim to achieve through our adult swimming programmes. Watching her go from fear to freedom in the water is incredibly inspiring. 
At Sport Aberdeen, we believe it’s never too late to learn a new skill, and Laura is living proof that swimming can truly transform lives – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. We’re proud to support people of all ages and abilities to take that first step.”

John Lunn, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming, said: “Laura’s story is truly inspiring, and exactly what the Never Too Late campaign encourages. 

“Many adults may have never had the chance to learn when they were young, or, like Laura, they’re held back by fear.

“It’s never too late to learn to swim – and there’s never been a better reason to do so. From helping with mobility to feeling safer on holiday, swimming is a skill that enriches lives.”

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: “Encouraging anyone in later life to learn to swim is just as important as encouraging younger generations, and Laura’s story is testament to that. 

“Ensuring people of all ages and abilities have access to learn such an essential life skill and how to be confident and competent in or around water is hugely important from a safety perspective, plus they also get to experience the wider social, health, and fitness benefits that swimming can offer.” 

“Learning to swim is such an important safety skill, no matter what your age or ability – everyone should be able to enjoy Scotland’s miles of rivers, lochs, reservoirs, and shorelines, and do so safely.  

While the programme has already helped more than 210,000 learners gain confidence in the water, the adult-focused campaign marks a bold expansion. Each week, there are currently more than 1,600 adults across Scotland taking part in Learn to Swim sessions, a figure the campaign is hoping will continue to grow.

The #NeverTooLate campaign also touches on issues of health, inclusion, and access. Water-based activity is widely regarded as one of the most inclusive forms of exercise, ideal for building strength and confidence at any age.

For many learners, these sessions represent much more than mastering a stroke; they’re about reclaiming confidence, overcoming past fears, and modelling resilience for younger generations.

For more information about Sport Aberdeen, visit: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/ 

To find out more about the Learn to Swim programme visit: Learn to Swim