Can you explain the importance of learning to swim at a young age? Swim lessons are crucial for young children. We often see children who are afraid of the pool that gain water comfort and begin to have genuine fun during swim lessons. We also have another population of children that love swimming, jumping, and submerging for objects, but they don’t know how to get back to the surface. The timid learn enjoyment and the fearless learn safety! With our local proximity to Lake Michigan it’s imperative that our children are comfortable and competent around the water. One benefit of our Learn to Swim program is the emphasis on water safety. This includes how to call for help, properly wearing a lifejacket, and safety lessons such as “Reach, Throw, but Don’t Go.” Knowing when to enter or not to enter a body of water can be as important to our children as learning how to swim.
At what age should children start taking swim lessons? The American Red Cross suggests children be 6 months of age to participate in a learn-to-swim program. We teach parent/child and preschool swim lessons in our warm water therapy pool. This helps the child feel more comfortable as they are learning new skills. The largest benefit of a parent/child swim lesson is really seen in the parent. While the child is enjoying the water and being introduced to various skills, the parent is learning how to properly hold and assist their child. This translates easily to skills they will use when swimming with their children outside of swim lessons. Children generally start swimming independently around age 4. This is the perfect time to get them into lessons if they haven’t started yet. As the body develops and the children get stronger they learn all of the different strokes, floats, and age appropriate safety skills. Our low ratios of 5 kids to each Water Safety Instructor ensure that each child’s ability is evaluated individually and they receive the proper attention and instruction to improve during each lesson. Keep in mind - it’s never too late to learn to swim! Many adults struggle with feeling unsure of how to exercise or swim in a pool. We offer both adult swim lessons and aquatic personal training to assist any adult reach their individual goals.
After learning the basics, do you provide lessons so children can continue to develop their swimming skills? We offer the full American Red Cross Learn to Swim program. Our certified Water Safety Instructors teach ages 6 months through competitive stroke technique work. We have swimmers of all levels and ages learning to improve their strength and efficiency. As a Fitness Center, we know how important movement is to overall health. Swimming is a non-weight bearing activity that is a great activity for all individuals. Learning to move and exercise in water can become a tool to assist with maintaining health for a lifetime. We are proud to be an accredited American Red Cross Learn to Swim Provider offering Private, Semi Private, and Group Swim lessons to the Duneland Community.
Where can people learn more about the programs you offer? We announce our programs on both our Facebook page and our website. When in doubt, give us a call in Chesterton at 219-983-9832.