I agree with this. I was very late to learn how to swim and only learned finally at around age 10. Previous attempts to teach me to swim used flotation devices

I agree with this. I was very late to learn how to swim and only learned finally at around age 10. Previous attempts to teach me to swim used flotation devices. Without them, I was terrified of drowning. A very smart swimming teacher, seeing my fear, taught me to float on my back, first with her assistance, then without it. Once I could float, she taught me to swim backwards, froggy style. I was afraid even about that, but she said "If you ever find yourself unable to swim, just float!" and I felt confident to do that. From there, I was comfortable swimming on my front, because once again, I knew how to go on my back and float! Then the rest was simple skill acquisition. 30 years later, I wish I knew the name of that swim instructor!