By PAGE Editor

Swimming is a part of life that has existed as long as humanity has existed. People swim for fun and for sport, with some even making a career of it. If you want to learn to swim or you now have children who you want to take swim lessons while they are young, read below for the top facts to know about the sport and why it is important to learn how to do it.

Different Ages to Start Swimming

Everyone has different opinions about when to send their children to swimming lessons, so it really comes down to the preference of the parent. Learning to swim young is a good thing, especially if you live near water, but there is no rush to teach your children if they don’t seem ready. There are many different approaches to swimming lessons at different ages. Read below for an overview of the different kinds of lessons for different ages.

Babies

Introducing babies to the water can be done with children as young as four months old. Babies naturally enjoy being submerged in water as they grow in utero in a similar state. There are many kinds of swimming lessons newborn parents can look into to see which ones they feel most comfortable with. Baby swim classes are usually run with parent involvement and integrate play and nurturing into the lessons. This allows the babies to start their lives off with a love and respect for the water. This way, they will not fear it and have a better understanding of what is safe play and what is not when it comes to water activities.

Children

If a child has already started swim lessons as a baby, then lessons about coordination and technique begin around the age of four. This is where swim teachers will teach young children about different strokes and let them free swim with floaties on in deeper waters. This is around the age when a young child’s coordination starts to get more stable, so it is a great time to create foundations for proper swimming. If a child starts to show an increased interest in swimming around this age, then parents can put them in more regular swimming lessons throughout the year as an after-school activity.

Adults

Adult swim lessons look a bit different from those for babies and children because adults are already set in their ways. If an adult is learning to swim and they have never been in a deep pool or a large body of water before, they will likely have some trepidation at the start. Children are much more free in their acceptance of circumstances and learn quickly, while adults are a bit trickier. That being said, it is never too late to learn how to swim and there are always centers that offer private and respectful adult swim lessons.

Types of Swimming Lessons

For children and adults, there are different ways to learn how to swim from one-on-one lessons to group lessons and lessons to learn a specific skill. 

Group Lessons

Group lessons are fun when you have young children because it means you can be in the pool with them and help them be a part of their journey of learning how to swim. It can cause an even deeper bond of trust between a child and a parent as well. Many children thrive in group lessons because it can feel like play time and they can make friends to play with in the pool after the lesson is over. For adults, group lessons are great for specific types of swimming like synchronized swimming or competition.

Private Lessons

Private lessons may be necessary for some parents if they have a child who gets overwhelmed in group settings but loves to swim. A private lesson can take place in a quiet area where there are no echoing sounds of a busy pool and your child can focus on learning how to swim. These kinds of lessons are good for adult learners who feel self-conscious about learning how to swim later in life. They offer a shame-free space where they can concentrate and not worry about messing up.

Specialized Lessons

Many people take specialized swim lessons to hone in on a specific stroke, learn different breathing techniques, or even learn things like how to swim while scuba diving. Many competitive swimmers take specialized lessons on top of group lessons so that they are extra prepared to compete.

Swimming Basics

When learning how to swim, the first thing that they teach you is how to float. From there, you will learn breathing techniques, basic strokes, swim safety, and even how to dive if you are feeling adventurous. Every lesson will focus on a different skill until you feel confident to use those skills on your own in the pool.

Importance of Learning How to Swim

Even if you do not live near the ocean, learning how to swim is a skill that can come in handy, even when you least expect it. From pool parties to water parks, there are many experiences in life that can not be enjoyed if you don’t know how to swim. Swimming is also a great form of exercise that can help you build strength and stamina. It is also low-impact, making it a great option for people who have trouble running or have joint issues. 

If you ever want to take a vacation to the beach, knowing how to swim is a very important skill, especially if you are going somewhere that has no lifeguards. The ocean can be very dangerous and you do not want to get caught in a wave and not be able to swim back to shore. Even at a local swimming pool, you can find yourself or someone else in need of help in the water. Knowing how to get yourself out of danger and out of the water is a valuable skill to have.

Learning how to swim is a fun, scary, and fulfilling thing to do. For many people, swimming is a big part of their life and they are constantly working to become better swimmers. For others, they are just starting out, but are excited for the journey ahead. No matter what stage you are in, swimming lessons are always a good way to learn something new or brush up on some skills

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