My dad was an ex truck driver, and before I was old enough to officially drive on the road he taught me to double de-clutch up and down. Just as well, because the car I learned to drive on was a three on the tree Vauxhall Wyvern which had no synchromesh on first.
As part of the driving test I had to slow down to a walking pace and select first. It went as smooth as silk, thanks to my dad's tuition.