Same here, growing up inner city (New York City) no a whole lot a beaches, lakes etc that our family often went to. Summer water activities on really hot days consisted of playing in an open fire hydrant. It wasn't till I joined the Boys Club of America that I finally learned how to swim. When I went to Navy Boot camp back in 1980, the remedial swim bench was about 70% Black, 20% Hispanic, and 10% caucasian...
I think the commerical is an awesome display of someone overcoming his fears and achieving success at something.