I didn't learn to swim until senior year in high school. I definitely tried, as did my dad. Not a pleasant experience, lol. My school opened it's pool I think for the first time in my senior year and I took a swimming class. So I learned without being thrown into the deep end and told "Swim!" xD
I know my state is surrounded by water on 3 sides, but it would not be smart to swim in the Detroit River, heh.