I come from a different perspective on whether you can "force" a kid to learn how to swim. Perhaps it's because of my location and lifestyle. We subsistence fish in the summers, and filling the freezer every year is a vital part of our food supply. We fish from the shore and from boats (and less frequently, through the ice) and our children are a regular part of this. Although they wear life jackets, basic water skills are very important. So I do take my kids swimming, and I do "force" them to learn, even if they are reluctant. My 5-year-old is a competent swimmer; my 3-year-old can hold his breath underwater and knows to hold onto a flotation device; my 1-year-old obviously doesn't do much more than splash. But I just bring this up to say that you will not necessarily traumatize your child by forcing them to do something they fear or dread, as long as you are calm, supportive, and prepare them thoroughly for what to expect each step of the way. Good luck!