5 Things Everyone Should Know About Taking Swim Lessons

Here are a few things you should know before taking swim lessons

Whether you are taking lessons yourself as an adult or arranging lessons for your children, there are a few universal principles about swimming, and swim lessons, that apply to everyone.

Swimming is great fun, and many people who take lessons enjoy it immensely. Children who have the opportunity to take swimming lessons will be able to enjoy water play throughout their lives, not to mention swimming increases cognitive function.

Swimming also provides many health benefits. This is true for everyone, no matter how old you are.

If you’re ready to explore the wonderful world of swimming lessons, here are five things we think everyone should know.

1. Swimming lessons help make your family safer around water

There’s just no getting around it – the statistics about water-related accidents and deaths are scary. Every year, we hear about families who are not able to keep their loved ones safe around water.

While it is impossible to be completely safe when we are near the water, swimming lessons can make us all SAFER around water.

A safer experience around water starts with feeling confident about your ability to swim. We believe it’s so important that it is a part of our mission statement. It’s a necessary life skill and an essential part of any water safety program.

2. It strengthens social confidence

Swim lessons are simultaneously intimidating and confidence boosting. Even while being a little nervous, it’s incredibly empowering to step into the pool with your peers.

During swim lessons, students share the pool space and learn together in a group setting. This creates a bond between students, young and old alike. By having a social structure within the class, students can feel safe with each other and learn by observing others and mimicking their progress.

These exercises build trust and a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem. Lessons make student’s feel like they belong to a group and it strengthens their social confidence. For children, this sharpens their social skills and helps alleviate water fears.

3. Not all swim classes are the same

All swim schools are not created equal. Of course, different age groups are often taught using different techniques based on a child’s development. But did you know that the best swim schools use positive reinforcement and focus on a child’s developmental milestones in their lessons. Take some time to look for a high quality swimming program that will focus on swim skills, safety behaviors and positive reinforcement in your lessons.

4. Swimming is great exercise

Swimming is one of the best exercises out there for all ages. In fact, many sports programs use swimming as cross-training because it is such an effective and beneficial workout.

Swimming keeps your heart and lungs strong, improves muscle tone and function, and improves balance. Best of all – it’s very low impact. Unlike other sports, swimming won’t strain your muscles or pound on your joints. It’s gentle, but powerful.

For adults, swimming is often used in weight-loss programs because it burns a lot of calories without putting impact stress on the body.

5. Swimming is therapeutic for the mind and soul

In addition to physical benefits, swimming has a positive impact on mental health as well. When you are comfortable and confident in the water, the pool is like a sanctuary. It’s a place where you can escape stress in life and truly relax.

Many people use swimming as a way to clear their head and hearts when things get a little stressful. Your swimming lessons can be a calming oasis in the midst of a busy schedule.

Swimming lessons are an important life skill

At Ocaquatics, we offer year-round lessons to help people of all ages become safer in the water. Our programs for children focus on “SAFER 3.”

We offer group swimming lessons for children as young as six months, all the way up to adulthood. It’s never too late to sign up. Contact us today if you are ready for your child to begin learning how to become safer around water.