My step-grandfather lived by Lake Erie...his mother wouldn’t let him in the water until he knew how to swim!
As did all my American ancestors. My mom hung out at the beach and was a good swimmer. My dad was a city boy and was afraid of the water. One time as a WWII Combat Engineer Commando he was in a boat crossing a river so they could take the beachhead and build a bridge in time for the front to catch up with them when they started taking Kraut machine gun fire. Everyone jumped out of the boat except Dad. He was hailed as a hero. He didn't bother mentioning that he was more terrified of drowning than getting shot.