SWIMMING TIPS : SELECTING BASIC GEAR AND SCHOOL

When I was our son’s age I hadn’t learnt how to swim. For no other reason than that where I lived for the first 5 years of my life, although there were pools around we didn’t frequent them. Not sure why, and haven’t really asked my folks either. That all changed when we moved countries and everyone in my new circle of friends were swimming and were having a jol in the pool. So, from age 10 I started swimming and I’ve loved being in the water ever since. It goes without saying that when hubby and I became parents, it was important to me that our son also learnt how to swim as soon as possible. You can read about how that started here. 

I’m thrilled that our son enjoys swimming as much as his dads. 

At the time we introduced swimming to our son, we had no clue on what we would need. 

What kind of costume do we buy? A cute little speedo? Shorts?

What swimming school do we enrol him at? 

BASIC SWIMMING GEAR 

I found that as much as the cute Speedo Briefs or the Boardshorts look great on your 6-month-old or 2 years old, I think they are too young. They at the age where they get sick so easily due to their immune systems still being underdeveloped, I felt getting him a full costume ideal. It didn’t really protect him from anything in the really warm pool water but served as an added layer of protection for his chest. One of the swimming instructors at one of the swimming schools we attended also recommended we don’t buy one of those full toddler costumes with embedded floats as they aren’t ideal to teaching a toddler how to swim. 

Now that our son is 5 and more comfortable in the pool, I still prefer the full body costume for when we’re at the beach as the water can be exceptionally cool out in the Cape. Slightly warmer in the Durban area. However, for swimming lessons and the pool at the house, the boardshorts or speedo will do just fine now that he is older. 

With all the extra chlorine that the public pools contain, let’s face it, most of the time you’re at the local gym pool or swimming school you come out of the water with bloodshot eyes. To avoid the constant pulling out of a hair from your face or mouth the requirement for all swimmers to wear a swimming cap helps. 

My son and I recently got to try out the Spurt swimming cap and goggles. WE loved it! I have goggles from two other brands and they don’t compare to the Spurt goggles. The goggles are super clear under the water, the suction effect around your eyes don’t let any water into your eyes while swimming and keep the goggles steady on your face until you want to move or remove them. Our son had been using one of the pairs I had already and from his “I can see you dad” exclamation when we tried the Spurt goggles on, it only means the pair he had previously been using wasn’t ideal.

“… I can see you dad…”

As I mentioned above I’m all for the need to wear a cap when you frequent a public swimming pool. Let’s face it, it’s hygienic right. After all, you are sharing the space with others. I found the Spurt 100% silicone swimming caps extremely comfortable and easy, no fuss to place onto our son’s head. He usually complains when we put on the swimming cap but with the Spurt swimming cap, he doesn’t even moan.

Our whole family is loving all the Spurt products. This summer if you’re in the market for new swimming apparel for the family or yourself, why don’t you check out the Spurt website. 

Spurt is the leading suppliers of swimming apparel in South Africa. The brand is loved for its innovative patterns, colours and comfortable fit. With an extensive range of accessories and swimming aids for beginners and athletes. Try out their online store this “Black Friday” or any day for that matter www.spurt.co.za 

CHOOSING THE SWIMMING SCHOOL

Just as selecting the right swimming costume is important, so is selecting the right school for your toddler/child to attend.

Here are some of the tips we found useful when we were seeking a swimming school for our son:

• Friendly and Approachable Staff
• Clean pool and facilities
• Qualified Staff
• Age appropriate lessons with achievable milestones
• Trained in First Aid
• Safe and Secure 

As we enter the warmer season in our part of the world and the festive season, many of us will be around water. It could be a swimming pool or the beach or even the local river or dam. It takes a second for a drowning to take place. Please make sure that you and your children are water safe. 

** DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED PRODUCTS FROM SPURT_SA. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE POST ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT.