Swimming is the most popular sport in the UK, with people young and old visiting their local pool every week.
Not only is swimming enjoyable for everyone, but it also comes with a host of other benefits.
7 reasons children should learn to swim
1: It’s great for their health – present and future
Swimming when young helps children to develop their strength, co-ordination and flexibility at a much faster rate than children who do not swim, whilst also imbuing in them a love of physical activity and exercise which will help them to keep fit and stay fit no matter their age.
2: There are no age limits
Many other sports impose a strict minimum age limit, making your child wait for a number of years before being able to get involved.
In swimming, children can start at any age, with some swimming schools happy to get your children in the pool as newborns. As well as helping with your baby’s development, growing up swimming will help to normalise physical activity and exercise as a normal part of everyday life.
3: It’s a low-impact sport
Swimming is a very low-impact sport compared to other popular sports, there’s no pounding the pavement and damaging your knees, no twisted ankles from the quick turns required in football, netball and other similar sports, no shoulder injuries from constant throwing. You can just swim.
As well as reducing the chance of injury, the low-impact nature of swimming means you can continue swimming well into older age and can also help your recovery from injuries obtained in other sports.
4: The skills last a lifetime
Like riding a bike, swimming is a skill you never forget. By taking your children to swimming lessons you are not only teaching them a skill for now, but also providing them with the opportunity to enjoy an activity for many years to come.
5: The pool is a great place to make new friends
Learning a skill such as swimming is a powerful way to bring people together, as they have fun in the pool, overcome struggles and fears, and enjoy some friendly competition. The pool is also a great place for your children to meet people different from those on their street and in their classroom, giving them a much broader experience and wider social circle.
It’s not just children who can benefit from making new friends, staying to watch your child’s lesson is also a great way to meet other parents and make some new friends yourself.
6: Swimming is tiring
Of course, the ultimate short-term benefit for the parents personally is that swimming is tiring, meaning that once the lesson is finished you can put your children down for a nap and enjoy a little extra ‘me time’. Who can refuse that?
7: Swimming could save their life
Drowning is the second-biggest cause of accidental death of children aged 1-14 years old in the country, meaning it is vital that your child knows how to react should they find themselves in trouble in the water. Starting swimming lessons will help your child to become as strong a swimmer as possible and give them the best chance of survival should a potential tragedy occur.
Alongside this, they could also begin lifeguard training once they get older, putting them in a position where they would be able to help someone who may be struggling if you’re in a situation where no lifeguards are present.
The benefits of teaching your child to swim are truly immeasurable and will be felt for the rest of their life.
What are you waiting for? Find your local club and get the family swimming!