As far as I can remember I learned to swim in Elephant Butte Lake. It went something like this.
Boat stops.
Me: “What are we doing here?”
Dad: “You are going to learn to swim.”
Me: “OK”
Dad: “Come here.”
Me: “OK”
Dad grabs me and throws me in.
I’m sure this is a common story for lots of boys. But that’s how I remember it.