When to Miss Swim Lessons: Guidelines for Sick Kids

As the seasons change and colds and flu become more common, it’s important to prioritize the health of your child and others in the swimming facility. While swimming lessons offer countless benefits, attending while sick can pose risks to your child’s well-being and spread illness to others. Here are some essential guidelines to follow when deciding whether to bring your child to swimmers & Instructors lessons:

1. Fever: If your child has a fever, it’s best to keep them home. A fever signals that their body is fighting an infection, and swimming can add unnecessary stress. Wait at least 24 hours after the fever has subsided (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to lessons.

2. Contagious Illnesses: For illnesses like the flu or a stomach virus, avoid attending lessons until your child is no longer contagious. This helps protect classmates and instructors while allowing your child to recover fully.

3. Diarrhea: If your child has diarrhea, do not bring them to swim lessons. Fecal contamination in the pool can lead to serious waterborne illnesses, posing a health risk to everyone.

4. Respiratory Infections: Conditions such as colds or bronchitis can make swimming uncomfortable and even harmful. Chlorine in pool water may irritate the airways, worsening symptoms. Additionally, a sick child may lack the energy to participate effectively.

5. Skin Infections: For infections like impetigo or fungal conditions, it’s essential to stay out of the pool until the issue is resolved. Swimming can aggravate these conditions and potentially spread them to others.

6. Ear Infections: Swimming with an ear infection can worsen discomfort and delay healing. Wait until the infection has cleared before resuming lessons.

7. General Fatigue or Weakness: If your child is feeling unusually tired or unwell, it’s better to skip the lesson. Swimming requires energy and physical effort, and attending while unwell may hinder recovery and increase the risk of injury or illness.

If you’re uncertain about whether your child should attend swim lessons, consult your healthcare provider for guidance. The health and safety of your child—and everyone at the pool—should always come first.

Join Us for Lessons Year-Round!

We offer swim lessons year-round at our locations in Richmond, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. Learn more about our programs, registration, and schedules at www.swimfins.ca.

Why Winter is the Perfect Time to Learn to Swim

As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, many people might think that swimming is a summer activity best left behind until warmer weather returns. However, winter can actually be the perfect time to start or continue swim lessons. Here’s why:

1. Consistency is Key:

   Starting swim lessons in the winter ensures that you or your child will develop a consistent routine. This is important for building and retaining swimming skills. By maintaining lessons throughout the year, swimmers are less likely to experience setbacks and will continue to improve their skills steadily.

2. Winter Wellness Boost

   Swimming is a full-body workout that can help boost your immune system during the colder months. Regular exercise, especially in a warm pool, can improve circulation, reduce stress, and keep you feeling great even when it’s cold outside. Plus, swimming can help combat the winter blues by providing a positive and enjoyable activity to look forward to.

3. Avoid the Summer Rush

   By starting lessons in the winter, you avoid the rush that often occurs in the summer. Our swim school experiences a surge of enrollments during the warmer months, which can lead to longer waitlists and less flexibility in scheduling. Enrolling now means you can secure your spot and have a more flexible schedule for your lessons.

4. Comfortable Indoor Pools

   Swim Fins has indoor pools that are heated to ensure a comfortable swimming environment, regardless of the weather outside. This means you can enjoy a pleasant swim without the chill of outdoor temperatures, making winter swimming as enjoyable as any other season.

5. Learn New Skills and Set Goals

   Winter is an ideal time to focus on mastering new swimming techniques or setting specific goals. With fewer distractions and a consistent routine, swimmers can concentrate on refining their strokes, improving their endurance, and achieving their personal swim goals.

6. Build Confidence

   Starting or continuing swim lessons in winter can build confidence. As you or your child master swimming skills during a time when motivation might be lower, it can lead to a sense of accomplishment and increased self-assurance. This confidence will translate into better performance and enjoyment when the summer rolls around.

7. Prepare for Summer

   By learning to swim in the winter, you’ll be fully prepared for summer water activities. Whether it’s pool parties, vacations, or beach outings, having swim skills developed and refined during the colder months will ensure that you or your child are ready to dive in and enjoy the summer with ease.

8. Stay Ahead of the Curve

   Starting swim lessons now means you won’t be playing catch-up when the warm weather arrives. By the time summer comes, you or your child will already be proficient swimmers, allowing you to focus on enhancing skills or trying new water activities.

Winter might seem like an unusual time to start swim lessons, but it offers unique benefits that can enhance your swimming experience and skills. From quieter pools and consistent routines to health benefits and readiness for summer, Winter is a fantastic time to take the plunge. So, embrace the season and dive into swim lessons, we currently have lessons 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! Come swim with Swim Fins: https://www.swimfins.ca/register

Why Swim All Year?

Do you think swim lessons are reserved only for the warm weather?  Think again!

It’s a common misconception that you should stop swimming in the colder months. But swimming isn’t just reserved for Summer! All of our lessons take place in indoor heated swimming pools (around 84-86 Farenheit) so there’s no reason to quit. Take a break from the cold and come improve your skills! Here are a few benefits of continuing swim lessons year-round:

1. Safety: Teaching children to swim is a crucial life skill that can save lives. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in children, and year-round lessons can help ensure kids are proficient swimmers, reducing the risk of water-related accidents.

2. Skill development: Consistent practice helps kids build and maintain their swimming skills. Continuous exposure to the water can lead to improved technique, stamina, and confidence in the water.

3. All-season preparedness: Enrolling in year-round swimming lessons means that children will be comfortable in the water no matter the season. They won't need to reacquaint themselves with swimming skills after a long break, which is especially valuable in emergency situations.

4. Physical fitness: Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that promotes cardiovascular fitness, strength, and flexibility. Regular swimming can help children maintain a healthy level of physical fitness throughout the year.

5. Social interaction: Swimming lessons often involve group classes, allowing kids to interact with peers and make new friends. This can improve their social skills and provide a sense of community.

6. Water comfort: Consistent exposure to the water can help children become more comfortable in aquatic environments, reducing anxiety around swimming and promoting a sense of ease in various water-related situations.

Learning how to swim not only ensures your child’s basic safety in the water, but also helps them stay healthy and feel more confident about their swimming skills. Our Winter swimming lessons schedule is online for you to start planning. https://www.swimfins.ca/register

We currently have lessons 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! www.swimfins.ca. Come swim with Swim Fins!