If a person reads a lot of theory about how to swim, different types of techniques, other people’s written experiences etc., can they swim if thrown in a deep swimming pool? Or, at least, be able to swim enough to reach the steep end and save themselves from drowning?
By “a lot”, I mean spending over 6 months to a year, gaining theoretical knowledge. And when we throw them in the pool, they are willing to try it, as in, “I have learnt enough, and I am willing to try it out.”
When I was a dancer - if one of us was injured, they made us come & watch the practice because apparently your body does gain knowledge just by watching.
But that was with a baseline knowledge already.
I think it would help, learning about swimming before doing it. More so if you are already physically active in some other way though.