Beginner Swimming Lessons

What should you expect from your child’s swim lesson?

You can expect for your child’s swim lesson to be filled with fun, songs and games. In this stage of learning cues are very important, for example; 1 2 3 and ready set go. Repetition is also a key for learning at an early age. Children should not be forced to do a skill if they are not ready. Children love to use their imagination. To us, pouring water from a cup may seem senseless but a child may see it as waterfall in a tropical rain forest. If you are participating in a class with your child you should expect to learn water safe holding positions, how to safely maneuver your child’s body, submersion methods etc.
Tip- The more your child participates in swim lessons the more he/she is likely to swim.
Tip- Children on age group swim teams learn good team support, swim etiquette, the importance of hard work and leadership skills.

What should you expect from your swim lesson?

Most workouts consist of dry land exercises, a warm up drill, a main set, and a cool down swim. Some workouts total up to 5000 yards and run almost two hours. You should expect to increase endurance by swimming longer distances. A combination of kick and pull drills will also help isolate and train specific areas of the body. Your coach should also teach techniques to help you become a more efficient swimmer.

What should you expect from your swim Coach/Instructor?

Your swim coach /instructor should be professional inside and outside of the pool facility. She should be able to communicate well to her student(s). All questions directed to the coach should be answered in full. A good coach should give demonstrations and thorough explanations supporting a skill being taught. Your child’s swim instructor should be an energetic individual. He should be able to modify a skill or present different scenarios in which the child may grasp the task being presented.
Tip- Although learning to swim is the best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around water, it will not ensure safety. Children must be monitor when they are around the pool . About 25 percent of all young drowning victims have had swim lessons. A child who falls into water may panic and forget his or her swimming skills.
Tip -Check out the instructor spotlightlight on the top right hand side of this page for many qualified instructors.

Locations
Indoor/Outdoor pools

When choosing a location for your swim lesson, be sure to check out the pool first. The facility and its equipment should be in good working condition. All drains at the bottom of the pool floor should be visible from the pool deck. There should be a lifeguard on duty at all times during pool hours. The Lifeguard should also have a well maintained chemical log book, and listings of hourly pool readings or every other hour depending on the bather load. Depth markings should be clearly visible, regulation signs and pool rules should be posted. When swimming in an outdoor pool, be sure to listen to a radio to monitor the weather report. For more information about a pool contact your local Department of Health Agency.

Lakes, Rivers, Oceans

Swimming in lakes, rivers, and even the ocean can be an enjoyable experience, but many hidden dangers exist. Be sure to read all signs carefully before you swim. If you’re not certain, ask the Lifeguard if there is marine life or hidden dangers present. Be sure to stay within the designated swim limits. If there is no Lifeguard present, swim with a buddy. If you feel the area may not be safe, trust in your instincts, they are usually right. Be sure to listen to a radio to monitor the weather report.

Equipment

Swim suit

It is important that you get the correct size swim suit, colors and styles vary. If you are a competitive swimmer your coach may recommend that you wear a drag suit. Drag suits are an additional swim suit worn over your swim suit. They are normally made out of a Mesh or Nylon material. Drag suits are slightly baggy and are worn during workouts to create weight and resistance while training. For Infants and preschool students it is required that they wear a swim diaper or rubber pants until the child is trained to tell his parents when he needs to use the bathroom.
Women's Swim Suit
Speedo Women's Crossback with Soft Cups Swimsuit
Speedo Aquatic Solid ultraback with shelf bra longline swimsuit
Baltex Lucy In The Sky Tankini Top

Men's Swim Suit
Speedo Men's Shoreline Square Leg Bathing Suit
Undergear Tropical Windsurfer Swim Trunk
POLO RALPH LAUREN Cargo Long Swim Trunk
POLO RALPH LAUREN Multicolor Polo Player Trunk
Quiksilver "Kelley's Choice" Boardshort

Goggles

There are many brands and types of goggles from the self assembled Swedish goggle for the competitive swimmer to lizard designed halogen goggles. Be sure to purchase a good pair of quality goggles. This is no area to pinch pennies; a good pair of goggles should last a long time if you care for them properly. If you wear prescription glasses ask your doctor about getting prescripted swim goggles. Swimmers often experience fog build up, if this happens simply dip the goggles into the pool, empty the water and you’re ready to continue. Anti-fog goggles are also made available through companies specializing in swim equipment.
Speedo Speed Socket Swim Goggle
Kids' Speedo® Swim Goggles
Speedo Speed Socket
Solis Performance Goggles
Tip- If you are taking a lesson please be sure to adjust and fit your goggles properly before you swim.

Swim Caps
Swim Caps are generally worn to keep your hair in place and also aid in efficiency. Many swim facilities require patrons with hair past shoulder length to wear a swim cap. This helps to keep the filtration system free of accumulated hair. Swim caps with logos and colors identify different teams and swim organizations.
Speedo Solid Lycra Cap
Speedo air seal

Other equipment

Other pieces of equipment may be recommended to purchase or provided by your coach/instructor. Equipment such as kick boards, fins, pull buoys, paddles, bungee cords and many others. Nose clips, ear plugs and other aids help in sealing out water and help prevent swimmers ear.
Mack's AquaBlock Earplugs, 2 pr
Speedo Men's Fastskin Watch
Swim Diaper
Swim School: Baby and Me Float
Rafters Orlando Water Shoe Womens

Kids Equipment

Instructors may use an assortment of colorful noodles, barbells, dive rings, sing songs and incorporate creative ideas into your child’s swim lesson.
Tip- Floatation devices such as noodles, kick boards, swim wings, water back floats are not life saving devices! They are only toys and should be used only as toys and with adult supervision.
Apparel For Children
Skirt bathing suit
Ruffle Bathing Suit

Cost

Prices may vary depending on location, the instructor/coach’s experience. Some organizations may offer free swim lessons while other experienced swim coach’s rates may run over sixty-five dollars, per half-hour.
Tip -Check out the instructor spotlightlight on the top right hand side of this page for many qualified instructors

Books/ Products

The Swim Coaching Bible by Dick Hannula and Nort Thornton, is a must have book for any swimmer. Some of the world’s greatest contributors to the sport of swimming each have written a chapter on their expertise. This book covers the basics, details of coaching swim teams, specific types of athletes and everything in between.

Swim Terminology

Drill
A drill is used to break down parts of a stroke in order to emphasize certain aspect of the body's movements. Drills maybe used to learn a new stroke or strengthen certain areas of a stroke.

IM
Individual Medley, a competitive event consisting of the four main strokes in the following order:
Fly - Butterfly stroke
Back - Backstroke
Breast - Breaststroke
Free - Freestyle

Bilateral breathing
breathing to the right side then taking three freestyle strokes and breathing to the left side three freestyle strokes etc.

Dry land
Strength exercises swimmers do out of the water.

Pull
A drill used to build upper body strength and enhance natural hip rotation in both freestyle and backstroke.

Warm-up
A workout done in water to loosen a swimmer up before a race or main set to avoid injuries.

Article written by

Christopher Johnston, Progression Swim School