I have tried to put a tamon in several times but i just cannot get it to go in, it hurts to bad.

Well im going to the lake this week with my family and im on my period. I need to use a tampon because we are going to be in the water a lot and i dont want my pad to leak.

Any advise on how to put it in without it hurting?!? please dont tell me to ask my mom because i dont feel comfortable telling her about this.