When it comes to swimming lessons, parents often have a variety of goals. Some parents have heard of the advantages of infant swimming and want to reap the benefits as soon as possible, others want to develop strong techniques for future swimming goals. Either way, every parent wants their child to be as safe as possible around water. Here at Swim Fins, we often get asked: “At what age is my child water safe?”
Our answer is not simple; there’s no such thing as “drown-proof”.
We believe that no one is truly “water safe”. Accidents can always happen and the unfortunate reality of the situation is that drowning is still the leading cause of death in children under 14 in Canada.
Maybe the goal then shouldn’t be to keep our children drown-proof but to give them all the tools to reduce the risk of drowning instead? Outside of lessons, we recommend parents and caregivers get in the water with their little ones when swimming recreationally at all times. Always be at an arm's reach from your child, no matter their swimming ability. ALWAYS stay alert and vigilant when your child is around any body of water. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and the best way to prevent drownings is to keep your eyes on your children at all times and be ready to respond in the event of an emergency. We’ve found the key lies in getting them in the pool on a regular basis at a young age to help build their, and your, confidence.
In order to help get your children to be water safe, they need to discover their abilities in a safe space. Check out our swim program that runs year round at our pools in Richmond, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. For more information on our programs, how to register, and much more, head over to our website! Register here: www.swimfins.ca/register
When Are Kids “Water Safe”?