Just get wet? I don't know about that. When my parents wanted me to learn how to swim, they didn't just throw me in the water. They gave me swimming lessons. I'm not being metaphorical -- I'm talking about actual swim lessons.
To use your metaphor, though, I don't see how just getting wet is better than at least taking a few pointers. Wouldn't want to learn bad habits that you're then later going to have a difficult time un-learning.
There is much for you to learn, thegorilla. First things first -- learn how to compose a shot. Do some googling for photography basics. I really like this book: