Originally posted by explor:

Heck I've drowned swimming on top of the water. I spend more then half the time running around naked trying to retrieve my stuff and this poor bast_rd can't even thread water. I guess it all comes down to, if at first you don't succeed and all that? I mean a dear gets you 2 little peaces of meat and the dude has no stamina to speak of. If i'm not changing the subject, you cant compete with an AI only play with it! thanks dev. ENJOY.

You can get easily more stamina by making sure you're well-rested and properly feeded.
Also you dont lose stamina if you stand still in the water.
Use potions to fill up your stamina in the water, also make sure to stop moving before your stamina reaches zero and take another potion then