It
’s time to think about swimming. Not just because summer is
here, but also because getting back in the water is a great way to
work out and get in shape. Swimming is a lot of fun as well.
It’s time to think about swimming. Not just because summer is here, but also because getting back in the water is a great way to work out and get in shape. Swimming is a lot of fun as well.
There is also serious side to swimming. Drowning is now a leading cause of death for children under 3 years old in California. Every one of those drowning incidents had one thing in common: There was no adult supervision. Infant and childhood drownings usually occur on weekend afternoons, after a long day at the pool, lake, or ocean when parents are distracted or just worn out.
There are two things parents can do. The most important thing is to always watch children near the water. The second: Put the child in swim lessons. Good swim lessons will teach a love for the water. Look for caring instructors who don’t force children or dunk them and who teach proper stroke and technique.
Infants can start as young as four months, but should always be with a parent. For this young age, it’s important that parents learn some good ideas on how to start in the water. Swimming is also a great year around activity that the whole family can enjoy together. The pool you pick should be clean and around 84-94 degrees; a comfortable temperature will help infants to relax.
Never use attached floatation devices. The false sense of security of floatation devices might encourage a parent to turn their back, plus they can cause bad swimming habits that are hard to break. To be safe, always get in the water with infants and small children and swim with them.
As your children grow, they will be developmentally ready for greater skills. By age three or four, most kids can swim a decent crawl stroke and turn to breathe on the side. At six or seven years old, they can consider a swim team to develop their strength and endurance, especially a recreation group that will focus on technique. Remember swimming should be fun.
Amazingly, statistics show that half of all American adults cannot swim, which means they miss out on a lot of fun and healthful exercise. It’s never too late to learn swimming.
There are many swim and water polo clubs within and around Santa Clara County. So plan to get involved this summer in one of these great programs. Everyone will get fit, feel better and thoroughly enjoy the water safely.
Local Swim Teams: Recreation and Competitive, El Toro Aquatics, Live Oak HS and Morgan Hill Aquatic Center, 408-866-1217 or 408-227-5884,
bi******@ao*.com
, Coach Bill Thompson
Local Water Polo: Morgan Hill Water Polo Club, Live Oak HS, girls and boys, age group and high school/college, (408)776-5773, Coach Mack Haines
