Originally posted by Sono:

we really should be able to use our weapons in the water, at the very least certain weapons. Knives and spears should be able to be used with no hindrance. It'd certainly give a reason to use spears. But, this is also predicated on them buffing/bringing more depth to swimming, which they probably won't. If swimming is fully intended to put the player at a complete handicap then there really shouldn't be a skill for it in the first place.

Black and white thinking. If we can't swim like a dolphin while fighting like a combination of Conan and Bruce Lee, we shouldn't be able to swim at all!

Swimming is a handy thing to be able to do, even when there are no enemies around.