learning to swim-adult

Question
Hello,

I have just started taking swim lessons for the past week. I am in my thirties, thin and quite tall. It has been quite hard trying to bring my body upto float. Now that I am trying to use the kickboard, I am just not able to move at all, though I am kicking hard. Where am I going wrong? Please help me.

Thanks,
Nirmala

Answer
The hardest part of floating when you are thin is that you have minimal body fat(which helps you float).  The only way to help that is by using a big intake of air, this will help.
As for the kick problem, kicking hard doesn't necessarily make you move.  Kicking efficiently makes you move.  You need to keep your legs moderately flexible, not to straight and not overly bent, only your heels should break the surface of the water and your toes should be pointed to the rear and flexible.
Hope this helps
George