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123 Swimming Lessons

Teach Your Child To Swim!

What To Pack For Swimming Lessons

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What To Pack For Swimming Lessons Entails

Swimming lessons are a fantastic way to gain confidence in the water, improve your skills, & have fun. However, ensuring you have all the necessary items packed can enhance your experience & make the lessons more effective. As the founder of 123 Swimming Lessons, I’m here to help you prepare for a successful swim session with a list of essentials to pack.

Swimming Attire

Swimsuit: Choose a comfortable & well-fitted swimsuit. For ease of movement, opt for a one-piece for women & swim trunks/shorts for men. Choose a bright color that is visible to see in the water, & that doesn’t blend in the water for safety.

Swim Cap: A swim cap can help reduce drag in the water and keep your hair out of your face. It’s particularly beneficial for those with long hair.

Goggles: Protect your eyes from chlorine and improve your underwater visibility with a pair of quality goggles.

Pre & Post-Swim Essentials

Towel: Pack a large, absorbent towel to dry off after your lesson.

Flip-Flops or Pool Shoes: These will help protect your feet from rough surfaces & keep them dry and clean when walking around the pool area.

Shower Supplies: Bring along soap, shampoo, and a washcloth in a compact shower kit for a quick rinse after the swim.

Safety & Comfort Items

Ear Plugs: If you’re prone to ear infections or discomfort from water entering your ears, earplugs can be very useful.

Nose Clip: Some swimmers prefer using a nose clip to prevent water from entering their nostrils.

Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially after a swim. Bring a reusable water bottle to keep yourself refreshed.

Additional Gear for Beginners and Kids

Floatation Devices: Arm bands or floatation belts can provide additional safety for beginners, especially children.

Swim Diapers: For babies or toddlers not yet potty-trained, swim diapers are a must.

Spare Change of Clothes: Having an extra set of clothes can be handy in case your original outfit gets wet.

Miscellaneous

Swim Bag: Invest in a sturdy swim bag that can hold all your items and withstand moisture.

Snack: A light, healthy snack for after the swim can help replenish energy.

Preparing your swim gear in advance ensures a smooth and enjoyable swimming lesson experience. By organizing these essentials, you’ll be ready to dive into your lessons with confidence & focus on mastering your swimming skills. Happy swimming from all of us at 123 Swimming Lessons!

What Swimwear Is Best When Swimming?

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What Swimwear Is Best When Swimming?

Something you don’t think about until it’s time to get in the water is, “what swimwear is best when swimming?”

Choosing the right swimwear can greatly enhance your swimming experience, whether you’re training in a pool or enjoying open water. As a swim instructor, I often guide swimmers on selecting gear that optimizes performance, comfort & safety. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Features to Look for in Swimwear:

  • Fit and Functionality: Opt for a snug fit that minimizes drag in the water. For women, one-piece suits are ideal for streamlined movement, while men often prefer jammers or swim briefs for reduced resistance. Avoid loose clothing as it can slow you down and hinder your swim.
  • Material: Look for chlorine-resistant fabrics like polyester blends. These are durable and maintain their elasticity even with frequent pool use.
  • Design and Style: Racerbacks, adjustable straps, and drawstring waistbands provide additional security during vigorous activities. Ensure the design supports your swimming goals, whether it’s recreational or competitive.

Safety Considerations for Color:

Color choice isn’t just about style; it’s a vital safety factor, especially in open water or crowded pools. Bright, high-visibility colors like neon green, orange, or yellow make swimmers easier to spot in emergencies. Dark or dull colors can blend with water, making visibility a challenge.

Why It Matters:

Wearing appropriate swimwear improves your comfort and technique while ensuring safety. As a swim instructor, I stress the importance of proper attire not only for performance but also to boost confidence and reduce potential risks.

I tend to emphasize a holistic approach to swimming, from skill development to understanding the right gear. When you’re well-equipped, you’re set to make the most of every stroke.

Why Swimming Lessons Are Important

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Why Swimming Lessons Are Important

I wanted to bullet point three main reasons on why swimming lessons are important for all age groups.

Swimming is more than just fun it’s a life skill that can provide safety, fitness & confidence. As a swim instructor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how transformative swimming can be for people of all ages. Here are three key reasons why swimming lessons are essential.

SAFTEY:

  • Safety Comes First Accidental drowning remains a leading cause of injury-related death worldwide, especially among children. Learning how to swim equips individuals with essential skills to prevent accidents in and around water. Swimming lessons teach more than just strokes; they include water safety techniques such as floating, treading water, and understanding water currents. These lessons could one day save a life—either your own or someone else’s.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL STRENGTH:

  • Builds Physical and Mental Strength Swimming is a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and enhances flexibility. It’s also a low-impact exercise, making it suitable for individuals of all fitness levels and ages. Beyond the physical benefits, swimming has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall mental well-being. Through structured lessons, swimmers develop discipline and focus, which can positively impact other areas of life.

CONFIDENCE:

  • Fosters Confidence and Social Skills Learning to swim is an empowering experience. Overcoming initial fears of water and mastering new techniques instills a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance. Group lessons provide an additional benefit by fostering social interaction. Students often build friendships and learn teamwork skills as they encourage and support one another in achieving their swimming goals.

As a private swim instructor having a tailored lesson plan to suit individuals abilities, tends to be the best way to build confidence quickly. Whether you’re a parent considering lessons for your child, an adult learning to swim for the first time, or an athlete refining your technique, swimming lessons are an investment in your safety, health, and confidence.

Remember, swimming isn’t just a skill it’s a gateway to a healthier & happier lifestyle. Dive in and discover the benefits for yourself—you’ll be glad you did.

Can Swimming Lessons Cause Ear Infections?

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Swimming is a great activity for both adults & children alike, but can swimming lessons cause ear infections?

Swimming is a great way to exercise. I myself have used it as a form of therapy for recovering from an injury or illness. As fun as swimming is can swimming lessons cause ear infections? Unfortunately, YES! Swimming can lead to an increased risk of ear infections.

Swimmininglessonsearinfections

Being aware of risks:

As a swim instructor, I know it is important to be aware of the risks that come with swimming & how to prevent them.

Ear infections are mainly caused by bacteria & viruses that enter your ear inside the canal.

When swimming, water can become trapped in the ear allowing bacteria & viruses to multiply inside. Swimmers who don’t dry their ears correctly or who swim in contaminated water are at a higher risk of getting an ear infection.

When I go swimming in Lakes, Ponds other stagnant bodies of water, I REALLY make sure I am clearing out my ears as best I can.

Preventing Ear Infections:

To help prevent ear infections, it’s important to teach swimmers proper ear care. Swimmers should always dry their ears thoroughly after swimming, using a towel to gently pat them dry.

It can also help to encourage swimmers to wear ear plugs or a swim cap with ear flaps when swimming in contaminated water.

It’s important to educate yourself or your child about the signs & symptoms of an ear infection.

Try to be aware that an ear infection can cause pain, itching, drainage also discomfort.

If a swimmer begins to feel they have any of these symptoms, they should be tended to them right away.

It will always help ensure that your children are aware of the risks of ear infections. With proper knowledge preventative measures can help keep your swimmers safe, healthy, happy while they enjoy a swim.

How To Choose A Swim Instructor

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How to choose a swim instructor

You may find yourself searching the question, how to choose a swim instructor? What do I need to look for? How qualified does one need to be? Well it all depends on one’s need.

First & Foremost;

– Can the instructor make you & or your child feel comfortable?

– How experienced is the instructor? (Experience can range of course. Examples: Teachers, Youth Leaders, Sports Coaching ect.)

– Do they teach children?

– Have they taught adults?

– Do they have experience with a special needs children or adults? (Also are you comfortable with the length of time the classes are?)

Here are some in depth bullet point questions that you do want to ask also:

  • Ask about or view the instructor’s approach to teaching. Do they specialize in a particular area of expertise? Beginner? Advanced? Coaching?
  • How is their personality loud? Quiet? etc. You should be able to see or hear about your instructor from word of mouth, or reviews.
  • Ask whatever questions you would like to know about the lesson. Pricing, location, do they come to your house? Do they offer group classes? Private classes?
  • Do they know how to interact with your child or yourself well?
  • Are they able to push your child or yourself hard enough to get results, but also has to know that they days that are bad you still learn?

In Conclusion

Those are just some of the core based questions that I myself as a parent would ask, but also from a swim instructors perspective the questions that I anticipate & hope that you would ask me. Remember knowing how to choose a swim instructor will only help you or your child’s steps to becoming comfortable in and around the pool a lot less stressful. Enjoy the Poolside, Lakeside, Riverside & Oceanside swimmers!

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Learning To Swim At An Early Age

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Benefits of learning to swim at an early age

We all know the saying goes, “Children are like sponges, they absorb everything around them”. Learning to swim at an early age goes really without saying. Many parents don’t even think about swim lessons until the first summer that they have that little 1 – 3 yr old toddler. It is then that they realize how much time they will be spending by some body of water in the coming summers.

 

As a parent there are certain fears or possibilities that I put into my head that can stop me from letting my child experience things that can actually save his life. When you think about leaving your child by the pool, bathtub and other bodies of water. Do you know for sure that your child would have the trained instinct to safe themselves?

Swimming lessons at an early age:

  • Starting swim lessons for your child at 3-4 months of age will already help them with holding their breathe & learning the motions of kicking in the water.
  • Will help teach them to close their eyes under water early
  • Many may not know that actual physical strength and endurance are being performed when you are performing these actions with your baby & or toddler.
  • Babies learn early to turn back to the wall and grab the wall. Actions of hand movement around the sides of the pool let them know early where the safety zones are.
  • Also can’t forget back-floating. Once a child can relax into a back-float it is very comforting know that they are that comfortable & they now know their buoyancy.

Each one of these are very highly beneficial to any parent. Just know is always a good thing to start with the benefits of learning to swim at an early age so your child can develop quicker each year.

 

For any of your swim lessons questions contact us here: 123 Swimming Lessons Contact