Frequently Asked Swimming Questions

Q: What are the best type of goggles for swim lessons?

A: I recommend either Speedo or TYR brand goggles (click on your preferred brand to take you to Amazon), and always the adult pairs over their child-sized counterparts, the child will grow into the pair and they have proven to be more reliable. There are clip-on options that have been successful in the past, but only if your child has more hair which can sometimes cause discomfort with the non-clip goggles.

Q: How long does it take to learn to swim?

A: Unfortunately, there is no magic period of time it takes for someone to learn how to swim, everyone is different and has different things they need to work on in the water. Typically however, the more comfortable someone feels in the water, the faster they learn, and the easiest way to increase comfort in the water is to be in the water itself.

For a student who is more nervous in the water, especially in the case of a child who is in level 1, I strongly recommend at least 15 minutes before the start of their lesson to come just to be in the water for fun. Even if no swimming is actually accomplished, spending this time in the pool before class typically allows the child to relax by the time they get to their lesson.

Once a student has more confidence in the water, try to stay at least 15 minutes after your lesson to reinforce/practice what you learned in class. Obviously, if you are not at an aquatics facility that allows this that is okay, but time spent in the water outside of swim lessons is one thing that allows students to progress through the levels efficiently.

Q:When is my child deemed “Water Safe?”

A: In my opinion, someone who is capable of the following is a student I would consider to have basic water safe skills:

• Basic front crawl for 5-10 meters with the ability to come up for air (doesn’t have to be perfect rotary breathing but must be consistent) on their own without an apparatus or instructor help
• Back Float for at least 45 seconds
• Ability to rotate from front float to back float, and vice versa, without help

These are skills I cover in level 1 and skills that are required to advance to level 2.

Q: When should I start thinking about private lessons for my child/ as a student?

A: I believe students learn swimming better when in a group setting because they feed off of the energy of one another and keep the class exciting and fun. However, if a student is having trouble with some of the skills of their level and is not able to advance to the next level after 2 sessions (14-16 weeks), then private 1 on 1 lessons may make some sense. Swimming is not like grade school, and it’s okay for it to take a little more time to progress through, so if your child feels discouraged be sure to start a dialogue with your instructor. Also for additional help, be sure to refer to your level’s lesson tips!

Q: Where should I be sitting/standing during my child’s lesson?

A: In my career, I’ve met several instructors all with their own answer to this question, so I’ll start by saying ask your instructor at the start of your first class. As for me, I am a huge supporter of parent involvement in swim lessons as it can go a long way in getting the child comfortable with me, and more importantly, comfort in the water. For pre-school/Level 1 lessons, feel free to come with your suit on and be a part of the lesson with your child, I’ll show you the proper positioning so you’ll know how to take your child in the water and practice with them.

Q: When should I take flotation devices off of my child who is starting swimming?

A: Once a child begins developing confidence going underwater, floating devices MUST come off. I have had several students who have regressed greatly when the floaties were put back on because the child asks for it for comfort or the parent feels the need to put it on the child for their own comfort.

The reason the regression occurs is because kids get comfortable with their head constantly being above water with floaties on, creating a safety net of sorts, as they never feel the need to hold their breath and prepare for going underwater. Once that safety net is removed, the experience of being totally submerged is now a jarring and uncomfortable one, which makes the child not very receptive to learning swimming or being at the pool.