Theory: Rainbow Dash Can't Swim

[ReGen 1,466]

This is something I just recently noticed. I haven't seen Rainbow Dash swim in any of the episodes so far (As far as I can remember). What does this have to do with anything?

 

Maybe this could serve as a potential plot device for an episode. Maybe Dashie's secretly afraid of water (Aquaphobia?) and maybe Pinkie Pie uses her random ways to teach her? I don't know, but it's a start. 

[Zygen 6,066]

Interesting.. You know you might be right actually, I can't say I remember her ever swimming.

Maybe its not shes afraid of water exactly but just can't swim? Well actually I guess she would be afraid of water then what am I saying xD.

 

But yeah, even though I feel like one should exist, I can't think of a time dash has done any swimming.

 

Very clever observation.

[NavelColt 22,881]

Well, we saw her 'swim' in clouds before, that might have some carry-over ability, but who knows, maybe it doesn't. Being a weather pony, I'd imagine she'd have no problem with getting wet, due to thunderstorms and regular downpours. Certainly something to keep an eye out for in S4, I think.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I don't know if we've seen any character swim except for Pinkie Pie. They don't really spend a whole lot of time around the water. Still, I'd be totally on board with Pinkie teaching Dash how to swim in an episode. Sounds really cute

[Ampharos 1,009]

Interesting theory. I would like to see more of RD being scared of stuff. It would add more character development to her. Ampharos approves this theory.

[Galen 1,354]

It would make sense. Considering she has wings, the ability to swim would be redundant to her. However, as Chaotic Discord pointed out, we've never actually seen anypony swim other than Pinkie Pie, so we can't be sure any of the mane 6 other than her know how to swim. There hasn't been a need to show that they can either so far. I imagine there would be if the writers ever decide to introduce the sea ponies but no plan to that effect has ever been mentioned.

[Fanned 88]

That theory is impossible.

Rainbow is too awesome not to be able to swim. Her amazing resistance and strength could easily let her swim for hours, even if she wasn't even doing it right in the first place. She could probably stay afloat using only her amazingly powerful wings.

[Dark Horn 430]

Er, interesting thoughts. But none of the Mane 6, besides Pinkie Pie, I believe, have ever swam.

 

But I know she's not aquaphobic, because, in the episode where Zecora was introduced, the Mane 6 took a great big bath.

[NavelColt 22,881]

It would make sense. Considering she has wings, the ability to swim would be redundant to her. However, as Chaotic Discord pointed out, we've never actually seen anypony swim other than Pinkie Pie, so we can't be sure any of the mane 6 other than her know how to swim. There hasn't been a need to show that they can either so far. I imagine there would be if the writers ever decide to introduce the sea ponies but no plan to that effect has ever been mentioned.

 

Oh, I also just remembered; in Too Many Pinkie Pies, Pinkie had been trotting back towards the pond with a big floaty raft, and had said, 'Oh, Dash is going to LOVE this. If I push her around on this floaty thing, it'll be fun AND relaxing.'

 

By that, we can begin to draw conclusions that Dash may or may not mind being on or near the water, meaning a water phobia might not be logical. But, that doesn't debunk any theories of her not being able to swim.

[Dark Horn 430]

Wait, wait, wait. Chaotic's mentioning of Too Many Pinkie Pies reminded me of when Dash invited Pinkie to a pool party. Why would she do that if she couldn't swim?

[Zygen 6,066]

Oh, I also just remembered; in Too Many Pinkie Pies, Pinkie had been trotting back towards the pond with a big floaty raft, and had said, 'Oh, Dash is going to LOVE this. If I push her around on this floaty thing, it'll be fun AND relaxing.'

 

By that, we can begin to draw conclusions that Dash may or may not mind being on or near the water, meaning a water phobia might not be logical. But, that doesn't debunk any theories of her not being able to swim.

Yeah thats what I was thinking, I doubt she has an actual water fear. But rather just can't swim.

 

Wait, wait, wait. Chaotic's mentioning of Too Many Pinkie Pies reminded me of when Dash invited Pinkie to a pool party. Why would she do that if she couldn't swim?

Well all she ended up doing was laying around relaxing, so technically she never swimmed, maybe that was her purpose from the start who knows.

 

I think Rainbow not being able to swim could be quite interesting. Would make for a great episode.

[Dark Horn 430]

As unlikely as it is, that's possible. I doubt that an episode on Rainbow swimming will come to pass, but it's totally possible.

Edited July 8, 2013 by Dark Horn

[Abstract 832]

Agreeing with some of the posters here, that would be a pretty great episode. One of the things that makes FiM so great is how it takes the life lessons that numerous kids shows have done a thousand times over, but puts a whole new spin and way of thinking into teaching them. I would love to see how they would surprise us with something like this premise. 

[DJShy 873]

While I don't have any opinions about Rainbow Dash being able to swim, I DO think that you have a very good idea for an episode. You should find a way to give that to Hasbro.

[ReverseFaller 2,483]

I think Rainbow Dash learning to swim would make a pretty interesting episode. On the topic of being able to swim, can the rest of the mane 6 swim? (besides pinkie)

[Thrashy 2,800]

Well, there IS this scene:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIF1qQyJ7s4

 

But then again, I'm sure any pony would have just a little bit of trouble swimming in a raging torrent of water from a busted dam, so that probably doesn't prove much one way or the other.

 

Still, it'd be pretty cool to see an episode where the "fearless" Rainbow Dash, with her mastery over airborne movement, has a crippling fear of water that she must overcome. But I'm kind of a sick bastard who thinks it's adorable when Dashie freaks out (see av), so that could just be me.

Edited July 9, 2013 by Lowline Thrash

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

It would make sense. Considering she has wings, the ability to swim would be redundant to her. However, as Chaotic Discord pointed out, we've never actually seen anypony swim other than Pinkie Pie, so we can't be sure any of the mane 6 other than her know how to swim. There hasn't been a need to show that they can either so far. I imagine there would be if the writers ever decide to introduce the sea ponies but no plan to that effect has ever been mentioned.

We've seen the Cutie Mark Crusaders swimming with fins and snorkels in the episode "The Show Stoppers". They went rather fast too...When the giant squid was chasing them!

 

Oh, it isn't that I suddenly remembered. I just watched the episode again last night. I started over at episode one last week.

 

[pinkiefan1287 610]

As athletic as Rainbow Dash is, I'm pretty sure that she can swim, but I might be wrong. Still it might make an alright episode to have Rainbow Dash or one of the 6 not having the ability to swim.

Edited July 9, 2013 by pinkiefan1287

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

Rainbow Dash is pretty athletic. I'm not entirely sure that she can't swim but it's more than likely anypony can swim. As said before Rainbow Dash is seen "swimming" in clouds so I speculate it's no different in water for her.

 

It would be interesting seeing it as one of her fears though.

[Abstract 832]

Actually, funniest thing - I go to watch some MLP this morning, just picking a random episode (I don't have any of them named, just numbered - and I never remember which is which). I end up watching "Secret of My Excess" - start at 17 minutes in, and you see the sequence leading up to this.

Theory possibly debunked?

[An Old Head 4,816]

Actually, funniest thing - I go to watch some MLP this morning, just picking a random episode (I don't have any of them named, just numbered - and I never remember which is which). I end up watching "Secret of My Excess" - start at 17 minutes in, and you see the sequence leading up to this.

Screen shot 2013-07-09 at 7.55.30 AM.png

Theory possibly debunked?

 

I was JUST about to post this. You are a world-class ninja. 

 

I think the best explanation is that Rainbow Dash is perfectly able to swim, but simply hates doing it. I imagine the lake is her favourite sunbathing spot just because it seems like a pretty serene place. In the same episode, she looked pretty objecting when Pinkie affectionately shook herself dry next to her, trying to entice her in. And in your screenshot she looks pretty angry that she had to take a tumble into the river

[Saddle ~ Arabia 118]

Hm, very nice theory there my friend. In the episode Too Many Pinkie Pies Pinkie Pie did request her to come chill with her in the water but Dashie refused and went napping instead. In my opinion Rainbow Dash is a world class athlete. Of course she can swim but then again, in the episode The Mysterious Mare Do-well she did seem as if she was drowning just after she was fixing the dam.

[Betez 1,734]

I don't know. I'd think her wings would be able to help her stay afloat. But this would serve as an interesting plot twist to the show.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

I was JUST about to post this. You are a world-class ninja. 

 

I think the best explanation is that Rainbow Dash is perfectly able to swim, but simply hates doing it. I imagine the lake is her favourite sunbathing spot just because it seems like a pretty serene place. In the same episode, she looked pretty objecting when Pinkie affectionately shook herself dry next to her, trying to entice her in. And in your screenshot she looks pretty angry that she had to take a tumble into the river

 

Well in To Many Pinkie Pies, Rainbow Dash did say that cloud busting was a lot harder and did not feel like swimming today. As for the shacking part, that just seems like a normal reaction to me. Could also be trying to protect her book from get wet. For the River shot RD could just be annoyed that she lost to a dragon.

 

 

 

Of course she can swim but then again, in the episode The Mysterious Mare Do-well she did seem as if she was drowning just after she was fixing the dam.

 

Well judging by the speed of the river and that she got hit by the full force of it, it would be very hard for anyone to stay afloat. 

 

Still it could be she does not like water and does not like getting wet. We well just have to wait and see in season 4.

Edited July 9, 2013 by pinkiefan1287

[kirbyboi 588]

Actually, funniest thing - I go to watch some MLP this morning, just picking a random episode (I don't have any of them named, just numbered - and I never remember which is which). I end up watching "Secret of My Excess" - start at 17 minutes in, and you see the sequence leading up to this.

Screen shot 2013-07-09 at 7.55.30 AM.png

Theory possibly debunked?

 

Yeah, so I think she can swim. ^ This picture kinda throws that out.

 

But if that were true that she couldn't swim, it would make a great episode plot! :3 But I think almost all the ponies know how, but maybe if there's another pony out there who can't swim, we could look up on that.  But I'm pretty sure RD can swim, but yeah it would make a good plot if it were true.