I’ve always struggled with swimming, and even now at 45 can only do a basic head above water swim. Part of this is that the water stings my eyes and nose, and afterwards I nearly always get ear ache. And by stings, I don’t mean a slight annoyance – I mean it genuinely hurts.
We’re currently taking our 5yo for her first swimming lessons which focus on getting them used to their face in the water. I’ve noticed that some kids, like her, really don’t like it and struggle to get used to it, whereas other kids, first lesson, immediately fine with it – no sign of discomfort with no eye, nose or ear protection.
Could this be anatomical differences between us? Do some people genuinely not feel any discomfort from it at all?