LogFAQs > #955134417

It's not hard, but it is something that does take actual practice to figure out, so without the opportunities or resources to learn (you do need access to either a pool or a reasonably tame body of water), it's understandable that people wouldn't know how. That then gets reinforced as an adult by not wanting to try learning (whether because of fear or embarrassment) and avoiding potential learning opportunities.

It is also just plain harder for some people. It's still doable, speaking as somebody with exercise-induced asthma that grew up with a very low body fat percentile who still manages to swim passably (treading water for extended periods is still out of the question, though), but somebody very much doesn't need a formal handicap to have more trouble swimming than you do.

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