As a boy, Douglas was scared of water a lot. His first experience was on the sea beach when he was with his father and a powerful wave swept over him. Although the wave receded, it left Douglas terrified. The second time, when William Douglas was learning to swim in the Y.M.C.A. pool, a strong boy threw him into the deep water of the pool. He was saved but the terror, stayed with him and he couldn’t go near water for years.