She's seen every kind of swimmer there is to see. No one keeps statistics on the number of adult nonswimmers, but they're out there. The YWCA keeps a steady flow of students in their adult classes. And Ludwig has met every type. Senior citizens come to her never having spent time in a pool before.
Children blossom from awkward swimmers to swim team members.
A few toddlers are so advanced they can swim laps. Everyone has their strengths and fears, Ludwig says, and every swimmer is different. She starts by building trust and then getting them comfortable in the pool. She's worked with swimming students since she was 14. All adults can swim.