I guess it was just handed down..my mom was fear of it I am and my two children do not know how to swim but they are not in fear of it either..They do get in the pools..I am not that scared that I wont get in but if its above my tummy I Hyperventilate.LOL...
Fear feeds on fear, so in a way it is handed down.
So, your summer assignment is for you and your kids to take swimming lessons. Dive in! Conquer the fear! You can do it.