I didnt learn to swim til I was 14 or so. Before that I always swam with a life jacket, or as I got older a flotation device. One day I just got pissed off that I couldnt swim so I started by floating a noodle (floating foam tube) in front of the dock. I'd jump of the dock onto the noodle. I'd keep doing that, then I'd throw it a little further each time, and eventually I learned to doggy paddle.

And I doggy paddled for like 9 years. LOL. I always had health issues that made swimming difficult. When I wanted a tail I worked my butt off to be more comfortable in the water and learn different strokes and how to float. Im still learning all the time