non-swimmer
Stays in shallows
A non-swimmer is someone who cannot swim or has not learned to swim.
The term appears most often in safety contexts—pool rules, life jacket requirements, swimming lessons: The non-swimmer section stays in the shallow end.
It can also describe someone who simply chooses not to swim on a particular occasion.
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
- untrainedLacking learned skills
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
- learnerOne gaining knowledge
neophyte · amateur · uninitiated · unpracticed · newcomer · first-timer · landlubber · poolside
Death by water inhalation
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- aquaphobiaPathological dread of water
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
terror · trepidation · apprehension · deep-water · helpless · floundering · gasping · sinking
One who teaches skills
- kickboardBuoyant swimming training aid
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- floatingStaying atop liquid
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
stroke · paddle · freestyle · backstroke · pool · goggles · cap · buoyancy
Buoyant vest for water
- armbandsBands worn on sleeves
- lifeguardPaid swimming supervisor
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- rescueSave from harm
novice
Inexperienced newcomer to field
learner · neophyte · amateur · uninitiated · unpracticed · newcomer · first-timer · landlubber · poolside · wader
drowning
Death by water inhalation
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- aquaphobiaPathological dread of water
anxiety · terror · trepidation · apprehension · deep-water · helpless · floundering · gasping · sinking · submerging
instructor
One who teaches skills
breathing · stroke · paddle · freestyle · backstroke · pool · goggles · cap · buoyancy · gliding
lifejacket
Buoyant vest for water
- armbandsBands worn on sleeves
- lifeguardPaid swimming supervisor
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
rescue · poolside · precaution · vigilance
- swimmer typesbeginner, novice, intermediate, advanced, expert
- swim levelsbeginner, intermediate, advanced, expert, novice