SafeSplash Swim School - Friendship Heights

Learning to walk takes time. Learning to swim does too. 🏊‍♂️

Every swimmer develops skills at their own pace. With time in the water and supportive instruction, those small steps turn into strong, confident swimming.

Visit us to enroll and get started on your swim journey.

Life jackets are an important part of a strong water safety plan. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) recommends wearing a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jacket whenever spending time in or around natural bodies of water or while boating.

Life jackets should always be properly sized for the person wearing them and put on before entering the water. They can provide an added layer of protection when other safety measures may break down.

Not all flotation devices are the same. Arm bands, inner tubes, and inflatable toys are not safety devices and should never replace an approved life jacket or active supervision.

If you have questions about USCG approved life jackets, feel free to ask one of our swim instructors during your next visit.

☀️🌊 The temperatures are rising, which means more time around the water.

There’s no better time to get in the pool and start learning the skills that help individuals feel confident and safer in the water. Swim lessons help build strong habits, improve technique, and prepare anyone for all the pool days ahead.

What day of the week does your family swim? If your family isn't enrolled yet, now is a great time to get started.

S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise Step 9: Back-to-Front Rollover 🔄🏊‍♂️

The back-to-front rollover is an essential skill that helps anyone in the water stay balanced and in control while moving through the water.

This skill teaches how to smoothly transition from floating on their back to their front so they can continue swimming forward without stopping. Learning this movement helps people stay horizontal, maintain momentum, and keep progressing safely in the water.

Sometimes the biggest progress in swim lessons is the parent watching from the side of the pool. 💙

Many families start lessons feeling a little nervous about letting their kids be in the water without floaties or vests. Over time, those nerves turn into confidence as kids gain real skills and independence in the water.

Watching a child feel proud of themselves while a parent realizes “they’ve got this” is one of the best parts of the journey.

S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise Step 8: Sight the Wall 👀🏊‍♂️

Learning to sight the wall helps individuals understand where they are in the pool and how to move toward safety. This skill teaches you to look for the pool wall while floating on your back so you can orient yourself and safely reach the side when you need a place to rest or exit the water.

Building this awareness is an important part of helping swimmers stay calm and in control in the water.

Applying sunscreen to a toddler should qualify as cardio. 🧴😂

Arm day.
Leg day.
Chasing-them-around-the-backyard day.

Sun safety is important…and sometimes that means wrestling a greased-up lightning bolt.

Tag a swim parent who understands. ☀️💦

S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise Step 7: Backstroke or Safety Backstroke 🏊‍♂️💧

Backstroke and Safety Backstroke teach individuals how to move through the water while keeping their face out for easier breathing. These skills focus on steady movement, body control, and staying relaxed while navigating the pool.

Learning how to travel on the back builds confidence and provides a reliable way to reach safety while staying calm and in control.

Our partners at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance define water competency as having the skills needed to survive in the water.

That includes being able to:
• Enter the water safely
• Surface and control breathing
• Float or tread water
• Turn around and move toward safety
• Exit the water independently

Water competency does not replace supervision, but it adds a powerful layer of protection for every child. This is why we teach with purpose. Every skill builds toward real readiness.

Talk with your instructor about how your swimmer is progressing toward water competency. 🏊‍♀️

Confidence in the water can start early.

Swim lessons help babies and toddlers build comfort, foundational skills, and safer habits that grow with them.

Early exposure creates familiarity. Familiarity builds confidence.

Ready to introduce your little one to the water? Connect with our team to learn more. 💦