I was like you when I started swimming, in fact I started abit late for my age... but nevermind, although i went for swimming lessons, the most I got out of was actually swimming at a public pool.
Most lessons only taught you some of the necessary skills, but to hone them, you need to visit pool more often. In fact, I decided to stay at deeper pool, just stayed close to the edge before I learned proper swimming. After all many shallow pools were packed with crowds, you couldn't really learn much, oh and I am about your height..
Anyway, the more you fear, the slower you learned... so when I learned the basics, I focus only on how to overcome the fear first before thinking about getting good at swimming and breathing technique... When I became comfortable with the depth (at pool of cos), like find out about water treading my own, it was much easier for me to start moving from the edge to middle lanes, that's when you have the time to really think about your mistakes or even spent more time underwater to feel the fluid and how you interact with it etc...
I have stopped for almost 2 years+ after done with the swimming lessons (occasionally did it once every few months in between), only until recently I started to go back to swimming once a week on Saturday night at Matsushita stadium, at time I know most people probably out clubbing or gathering
manage to always get my own lane so I can practice swimming back and forth with no one getting in the way and find out what I did wrong.

Another closest is 3K near USJ Summit... for PJ, only those two you mentioned... the rest is either in KL, Bandar Tun Razak or bukit jalil or even further putra jaya... Anyway, these were the pools I knew when I was learning swimming and out looking for decent pools to train 3 years back, may be there is a new public pool somewhere in Klang valley I do not know of...

This post has been edited by El-LoboSolitario: Jan 29 2018, 01:44 PM

Not that I know its actual depth, that bukit jalil stadium has gone through renovation just last year btw, and I haven't visited for many years.

the typical public pools have the design where the depth goes from shallow to deeper (2~3m) as you swim towards the end.

One I knew of is the Shah alam Aquatic center which has an outdoor shallow pool, well, it's meant for family especially kids, I visited it once and never wanna go back anymore, couldn't swim at all with all the crowds in the pool.
And the above experience had pushed me to go for deep pool instead which actually helped improving my swimming experience more.
I am not sure how far you have learned about swimming, but you should spend time down below water near the side of the pool until you learn a way to afloat and have eventually got rid of the fear that keeps you sticking to the pool side, so you can stick around the middle section of the pool before the drop. This doesn't require you to swim at shallow pool, in fact a deeper pool is better, just that you need clearance and not in the way of other swimmer. But veterans usually stay in the middle lanes.

It's normal everyone has trouble and will go through difficulty with breathing whichever style you begin learning. Take it easy. but I didn't quite get it you meant from one end to another with single breath... at the full lane?

Anyway, even I still have issues with free stroke on the breathing, haven't found the way work better yet due to my shoulder condition and normally I focus on my breast stroke which is the easiest.

But then again, you just have to learn water treading your own way staying around deep pool by the pool side. I learned my way doing reserved psychology, try to sink myself down underwater at deep pool, I managed to get some ideas eventually by continue doing this (but that's why stay by pool side as ya still learning).
Of course, normally one will just cling to the pool edge if resting, water treading can be exhausting without proper instruction and training. but if you wanna swim in middle lane, you have to learn it in case someone your way and you have to stop at deep section of the pool. If you can, just find hours where you may have chance getting a lane for yourself at public pool (e.g Sat morning or night). that way you can learn more.

This post has been edited by El-LoboSolitario: Feb 3 2018, 07:19 AM

Thanks, mate.

Indeed, i have trouble with breathing, though i only raise my head looking forward when i need to peek for incoming swimmer...
I normally twist my body sideway as my hand go up and move forward to pull... since i have history of dislocated joint on my right shoulder, i rely heavily on kicking force to swim forward instead of hands.

my breathing normally get disrupted from water entry into nose and cause plugged ear, either i roll my head too much when taking breath and the water drip into my nose, or I roll too little, the water entry through mouth or nose when it's near water surface...
couldn't be more agree that it must have alot to do with balance, which resulting in me not breathing at the right angle consistently... still finding a way to overcome it, guess i just need more practice for trial & error!

You brought up some good points, which I'd also noted myself as i practiced more, now focusing on the dynamic balance between the kick and hand pull now. Thanks for the tip, sir.

That's a bit too difficult... one, is need to invest a water proof device and 2nd, i always go there swimming by myself in the public pool, bit complicated and inconvenience... but still thanking you for the suggestion & tip as always

This post has been edited by El-LoboSolitario: Apr 16 2018, 11:26 AM