Why Wouldn't You Get Them Swim Lessons?

Yesterday was my second time this summer at one of our local water parks.   It was also the second day where I witnessed multiple children needing to be saved by the lifeguards because they couldn’t get themselves to the side of the pool.

I was a lifeguard when I was in college, and while it was a small pool, I did have to save a little boy one time.  He had ventured out a little too far where the water current started to pull him to the deep end and he couldn’t get himself back.  He was fine, but after that experience his parents had me give him swim lessons so it couldn’t happen again.

The environment at a water park is so chaotic.  There are hundreds of people, mostly children, running from one thing to the next.  Most kids are so excited to be there they may not think about whether they are strong enough swimmers to get back to the surface quickly enough after going off the diving board or down the swirly slide.

So I question if all parents give enough thought to whether their children are competent enough in the water to partake in all activities at a facility such as this.  Regardless of whether they meet the height requirements, it doesn’t necessary mean they should be allowed on all the activities.

If your kids like to swim, make sure they have lessons, whether you teach them yourself or can take them to group or private lessons.  Whether they have the opportunity to swim often or not, it’s such an important skill to master so they can get themselves from one end of a pool to the other and back to the surface from a deeper area.  It will also ensure they not only enjoy the water more, it will give them confidence and give you the comfort of knowing they can better care for themselves in the water.

Have you gotten your kids lessons?  If so, at what age?