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After seeing that bear swim ( bear/doggie paddle), I don't think the person suggesting that ever saw one swim

I have long wondered about this. As one with lot of experience in the water, doing something like fighting in the water is nothing like fighting on land.  Leverage is all different. This is not to say a bear woul not be effective but they might not have the same comfort level. So I would expect they would ned higher motiviation to go after a swimmer, a motivation that probably be lacking.

I also think although they migt be fast, they are less agile than a human in water. So a good swimmer might be able to outlast a bear.

All of this is pure speculation.