Mathematics and ocean swimming

Mathematics is often taught in first year as a service subject. It is important that mathematics academics provide a good service to those whose students they teach. The income of many mathematics groups in universities in Australia largely depends on this teaching. At times mathematics academics are seen as not succeeding in this teaching and are blamed for the lack of skills of the students taught, or blamed for not being able to pass more students. It is claimed here that mathematicians are often given a very difficult task, that learning mathematics has some aspects of what has been called "complex learning" and that some mathematics students are involuntary learners. It is up to mathematicians to educate those whom we serve about the challenges faced and about what is realistic for their students. An analogy which might assist in this is presented.