Does your throat tighten just at the sight of a deep swimming pool? Is it unimaginable for you to get your face wet or open your eyes underwater? You’re not alone. A fear of water (aquaphobia) affects a surprisingly large number of adults. Estimates suggest that almost one in ten people suffer from some form of apprehension or even panic when it comes to the aquatic environment.
The good news is that fear is not a permanent condition. Even if it has been with you since childhood, there is a way to overcome it safely and quickly. In Liberec, they even have a ‘miracle cure’ in the form of Jaroslav Kočárek’s method.
What are the most common causes of a fear of water?
Understanding the origin of the fear is the first step towards overcoming it. Most psychological blocks associated with water do not arise by chance. The main culprits include:
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Traumatic childhood experiences: Harsh swimming teaching methods (‘throwing children into the water’), which were once commonly used, have left a deep mark on many people.
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Experience of near-drowning: A single moment of panic following an unexpected mouthful of water or a cramp in deep water is enough.
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Transferred fear: Children often pick up anxiety from their parents, who are overly cautious around water or show signs of fear themselves.
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Complicated births: The roots of fear can stretch back to the prenatal period or a difficult birth.
JK Therapy at Snakesub: A method that changes lives
If you are looking for a truly effective solution, attention rightly turns to the Snakesub centre in Liberec and its chief instructor, Jaroslav Kočárek. His JK therapy (Water Fear Release) is unique in the world and boasts an incredible 100 per cent success rate.
How does the process of overcoming fear work?
The duration of the therapy varies from person to person, but usually does not exceed an hour and a half. It is divided into two key parts:
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Dry part (approx. 15 mins): A one-to-one consultation during which Jarda Kočárek analyses your feelings and sets goals. No pressure, just understanding.
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The ‘wet’ part (approx. 60–90 mins): Practical fear-relief work directly in the pool. Under the guidance of an experienced professional, you’ll learn to work with your breath, relax your body and gradually break down the barriers that have previously prevented you from moving.
Results that will change the way you see the world (and yourself)
People who have undergone JK therapy most often agree on one powerful word: rebirth. What begins as a tentative step into the pool ends with a deep sense of relief and a newfound self-confidence. Suddenly, the water ceases to be a menacing enemy you must fight, and becomes a friendly environment that carries you along.
What once seemed like an insurmountable goal, you suddenly manage with utter ease and without a hint of panic. What that goal will be depends on the individual; for some, it’s literally dipping a toe in the water; for others, submerging their head; for others still, opening their eyes underwater.“We even had a client who set herself the goal of getting into the water up to her waist. In the end, she was diving in a special diving tower at a depth of 5 metres,” adds Kočárek.
The greatest reward, however, awaits you outside the pool. Imagine next summer, when you’ll no longer be standing on the shore with fear in your eyes. Instead, you’ll be enjoying carefree fun with your children or grandchildren. The good news is that this improvement is permanent. Once you’ve overcome your fear, you’ve made it.
Therapy with Jaroslav Kočárek will not only restore your ability to swim, but above all give you true freedom of movement and the joy of life without the restrictive stress of the unknown beneath the water’s surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is one lesson really all it takes to overcome a lifelong fear?
Answer: Yes, for the vast majority of clients, a single intensive session lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes is sufficient. The JK Method is designed to target the very core of the psychological block. Once you understand how water works in the pool and experience that moment of release, the block will be permanently broken down. You’ll leave with a completely new mindset.
What if my fear is so strong that I can’t even get into the pool?
Answer: Nobody will force you to do anything; the entire therapy is conducted with complete respect for your own pace. We start on dry land, where we’ll have a calm chat about exactly what triggers your fear. Only when you’re ready for it will we head into the water. The very first steps might simply involve dipping your big toes in the water. The therapy is 100 per cent personalised; we proceed at exactly the pace that your mind and body allow.
Is this method suitable for children as well, or is it intended only for adults?
Answer: The method is extremely effective for both adults and children. A huge advantage with children is that their fear is often not yet as deeply ingrained as it is in adults, who have been carrying it for decades. We work with children in a playful yet highly professional manner. The aim is for water to cease being a threat to them and become a natural companion for healthy exercise and fun.
Who is Jaroslav Kočárek?
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Founder of the Snakesub diving centre and an internationally recognised instructor with experience dating back to 1995.
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He holds the highest professional certifications and is the author of his own DES training system.
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He ranks among the Czech diving elite, with a personal depth record of 141 metres.
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During his career, he has safely completed more than 7,500 dives all over the world.
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He is the creator of the unique JK therapy, which, thanks to his in-depth knowledge of the psychology of water, achieves a 100% success rate.
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For his bravery during rescue operations in the floods, he was awarded a gold medal for saving a human life.
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He holds the official Czech record (listed in the Czech Book of Records) for organising a mass dive involving 258 divers in a single tower.
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His motto is to restore people’s freedom of movement and transform their fear of water into a lifelong joy.
