Sussex Swim Specialists

WELCOME BACK 🏊‍♂️

Lessons are back. After a long summer holidays we have had our first sessions at Horley and Woodlands Meed College.

It was lovley to meet all our new starters as well as to se how some of the children have come on over the summer and come back with a new found confidence.

Please remember if you need a reminder of our term dates just head over to our website www.sussexswimspecialists.co.uk

Have a wonderful term

“How long will it take my child to learn to swim?”

It's probably one of the questions I'm asked most often.

But before I answer it, there's another question that's worth asking:

What do we actually mean by being able to swim?

The first time your child swims a few metres independently is a huge achievement, and absolutely something to celebrate. But it doesn't mean they've finished learning.

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington recently made a really important point about this. She urged parents not to stop swimming lessons as soon as their child can manage a short distance, recommending that children continue until they can swim at least 25 metres unaided.

Her point was that being able to swim 5 or 10 metres in the controlled environment of a swimming pool is very different from having the ability and stamina you may need if you unexpectedly find yourself in open water. As she put it, “once they get into open water, 10 metres just isn't enough.”

And I think there's a really important message in that.

Learning to swim isn't about getting to 5 metres or 10 metres as quickly as possible and ticking a box. We're helping children develop the confidence, skills, technique and stamina they need to become safe and capable swimmers.

So, how long does that take?

There isn't one answer, because every child learns differently.

Some children arrive full of confidence. Others need time to become comfortable in the water first. Some pick up certain skills quickly and find others more challenging.

That's also why you might see us practising the same skills regularly. We're not simply repeating a lesson. Each time, we're building on what came before, developing technique, independence and confidence until those skills become something your child can rely on.

We don't rush children through their swimming journey or compare their progress with somebody else's.

We start with the swimmer in front of us, understand what they need, and help them keep progressing.

Because ultimately, learning to swim isn't about how quickly your child gets there. It's about making sure that when they do, they have skills that will stay with them for life.

Does your child know how to float, tread water or swim 25m with an efficient and effective technique?

Even though I am on holiday both my children have a noddle and armbands to make sure they are safe in the sea. When in a swimming lesson both of my children are now at levels where they don't need armdiscs, however swimming in the sea or pool for hours and hours is just not sustainable without support and quite frankly they are likely to get themselves into trouble.

Please keep your children and yourself save this summer! ☀️ If you are venturing to the beach or anywhere there is water, always make sure you are near Lifeguards and ensure you have decided who is watching the children in the water at all times.

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The best swimming practice doesn't always look like practice.

Games like diving for toys, floating together or simply swimming between Mum and Dad all help children become more comfortable and confident in the water. 💧

The more positive experiences children have around water, the more naturally their confidence grows.

Sometimes, the biggest learning happens when they're simply having fun! ☀️