It happened last Sunday, a week after failing my first attempt at Leith Academy, during what was lesson number five.

I had no real expectations as I slid in to the water. I was relaxed, had enjoyed a good blether with instructor Liam.

And bam, from out of nowhere I was swimming.

I’d reached the three quarter mark and was tiring but had picked up a pretty good rhythm when all I heard was Liam shouting ‘don’t stop, don’t you dare stop’ which was enough to keep me going.

As I hit the tiles at the opposite end from where I started, I wasn’t sure who was the more pleased – him or me.

There were high fives, handshakes and broad grins.

After all, I needed to learn how to swim to achieve one of the goals I had set out at the start of this year.

Liam, through Total Swimming, had promised to get me doing a length by Christmas.

And here we were a month ahead of schedule.

It was just one length, frankly I didn’t have the stamina to get a second full length under my belt without a break.

But boy, it felt good. I mean, really good.

For all those reading this who are strong, confident swimmers, this will mean probably very little to you.

Most likely you’ll have been swimming since your childhood and have no idea how it feels to be a grown adult and unable to tread water or swim just for fun.

It’s frustrating at times. It’s embarrassing too.

And it’s a missed opportunity for those with a family unable to share the pleasure a simple swim can bring.

Now clearly one length doesn’t mean that’s it.

But Liam already has his plan of how Total Swimming will get me to the next stage by working me hard.

And I’m up for that.

I drew a lot of my inspiration from watching the work they were doing with the kids class beforehand.

The wee ones were loving it, trusting Total Swimming implicitly to keep them safe.

And that was probably why I could relax too.

I have faith in my instructor and, I hope, his faith in me has been repaid at least a little so far.

The classes have fairly grown in even the month and a half I’ve been attending as word spreads of the good job they are doing,

And Liam tells me they also run classes in the west of the city too, at the state of the art Capability Scotland facility at Westerlea on Ellersly Road, just near Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

Unlike other venues in the city, this is a little known hydrotherapy pool which means the water is a balmy 33C.

What’s more they are holding an Open Day on Tuesday, November 29 between 4pm and 6pm.

I said I’d mention it in this blog for two reasons.

One, they are helping me and I’d like to think that if even one parent takes their child along after reading this, I’ve given something back.

But more importantly, because it’s a real opportunity.

If a 38-yearold overweight bozo like me can learn to swim the length of a pool in just five weeks with them, imagine what your kid could achieve.

I’ve had my son along at baby swim classes since he was old enough.

He can’t do a stroke, but loves being pulled around in the water with his cute wee wetsuit on.

As soon as he’s old enough, you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be asking Liam and Susan to take him into their classes too.

I’m proof that they deliver results.

And I really can’t think of any greater endorsement than entrusting the safety of my own child to them either.

The trial lessons are free.

You can book them by emailing adam.riley@totalswimming.co.uk or calling 0161 764 2224

Or visit their website at www.totalswimming.co.uk and twitter @totalswimming

It’s Sunday morning, I’m blogging this from a café on Easter Road, but kno what I’m doing next?

Yup. Going for a swim …. Never thought I’d be saying that a year ago.