Before you get your panties in a knot over the title, I’m not referring to ALL Jamaicans. But if you’re an avid Jamaica traveler and have gotten to know lots of locals then I’m positive you’ve run across so many of them who say they can’t swim! I remember the first time I met a Jamaican who said they can’t swim and I was perplexed. The only question I could think of is,
“Why not? You live on an island surrounded by water!”
But then again, I live in a country mostly surrounded by ice and snow and I don’t skate very well.
It just seems funny to me because up here in Canada one of the first things we do with our kids, sometimes before they can even speak properly, is put them in swimming lessons.
One of my favorite things to see and experience on the island is bathing in rivers and waterfalls and this goes on all over the island. Entire Jamaican families use the fresh water of rivers to bathe but even still, many of them can’t swim. I guess it just seems like something that should happen naturally among islanders.
I suppose it doesn’t really matter as long as you can touch the bottom and hang out in the water all day though huh? And probably the ones who can’t swim MORE than make up for it in the dancing department!
What are some other things you’ve heard from Jamaicans that totally perplex you?
Comments
5 responses to “Why Can’t Jamaicans Swim?”
lolol … If your parents cannot swim and their parents cannot swim then the children will not be able to swim either and the reason is very simple… In order to protect your child, you tell them NOT to go into the water, that is something I heard that all my life, I was always limited as to how far I should go out and they would go crazy if I went out any further… Parents figure out that the best way to protect their children is the keep them away from the water because if they got into difficulties there would be no one to help them since they cannot swim and 20 or 30 years ago Jamaicans did not have access to structured swimming classes. My high school had a pool but it was filled with grass and dirt, so I was taught by a friend of the families. I have a friend who refuses to go into the water past his ankle and he normally says that he never saw a fish walking up Hope Road yet, so why should he go into the water. However we use to visit the beach every Sunday after a night out or night beaches after a party to only for some night time fun…
LMAO at the fish never walking up Hope Road hahahaha. I never really thought of the safety factor being a major factor in not knowing how to swim. Makes sense though.
You Need to go to Pegasus the next time you go to Jamaica.I Really need to know about Pegasus and what to expect there because my friends have went there and they are Known for lying so when they told me i didnt believe and i need a True Source Like you,So,Can you please go to Pegasus ?
Are you talking about the Pegasus hotel in Kingston? I probably will never go there because I’m not a big fan of Kingston. I would take the country over the city any day! But if I ever end up there I will definitely blog about it.
Jamaica is a poor country and, unlike Canada, there are very few pools. Most people don’t live that close to a beach.