Many people see swimming as a necessary skill every child should acquire. If a child knows how to swim, there’s a smaller chance that drowning can occur. Basic swimming skills imparted by professionals help children enjoy water activities, and it safeguards against accidents. Swimming instructors are experts in swimming techniques as well as water safety measures. Students can discontinue swimming lessons after basic training or join advanced classes.
Popular Swimming Services Include:
Swimming for beginners
The most sought after swimming lessons are those for beginners. Students are mostly children. South Africa has many holiday resorts with pools and beaches, where swimming skills are essential. South African parents make sure their children know basic swimming skills, so they can enjoy family holidays. These lessons are available for any age who wants to learn to swim. Lessons teach breathing techniques, different swimming strokes and skills to stay afloat.
Lessons for advanced swimmers
South Africa offers many swimming tournaments, as it’s a popular sport all over the country. Children—and adults—who enjoy swimming can get more advanced training, so they can perform well in these competitions.
Keeping babies safe and healthy
Babies may not be able to do strokes, but they can learn to float. Parents take babies to infant swimming lessons to get them accustomed to being in water. If they do happen to fall into the water by accident, they won’t get such a big fright. If they know how to float, adults have a longer time to take action and extract them from the water.
Professional training
As mentioned, swimming is a popular South African sport. Thanks to talented South African swimmers who have made international impact, other young swimmers can try this as a career path. To swim well enough to compete at international levels, intense physical training and swimming lessons are necessary.
Aqua aerobics
Companies that offer swimming lessons usually offer aqua aerobics as well. This is an excellent exercise method, especially for seniors or people with back injuries. Swimming lesson instructors know what safety measures to follow so no further injuries occur.
Become a lifesaver
An exciting career to consider, is that of a lifesaver. South Africa’s many beaches and resorts offer job opportunities. Later on, lifesavers may consider joining the NSRI. Excellent swimming skills and strength training are necessary.
5 Tips when Booking Swimming Lessons
1. Enquire about facilitators’ training
If you’re learning vital skills from someone, you want to know that the theory and practical application is correct. Learning wrong techniques can put you in danger when you need to survive in the water. Swimming lessons should be given by experienced swimmers, so do background checks and ask for references.
2. What safety measures are in place?
If you’re entrusting your child to someone else’s care, you must know that enough safety measures are in place to protect him or her. Ask swimming instructors about their emergency plans and make sure there are enough facilitators to keep an eye on all children.
3. Ask around and get some references
The best way to know you’re getting swimming lessons from the right place, is by listening to word of mouth. Ask about the type of skills others have learnt and also about the instructors’ personal skills. You want your child to feel comfortable during these important lessons.
4. Decide what your goal is – pick a school accordingly
Not all swim schools offer advanced training. If you only want basic swimming lessons, most schools will suffice. If you or your child want to advance to competitions and even international events, you need to join a swim school that has knowledgeable facilitators. They make sure their students compete at the right tournaments to get noticed and move up the ranks.
5. Give heed to guidelines
Before you go for the first bout of swimming lessons, ask about basic guidelines:
- Should you—or your child—eat before the class?
- What type of swimming gear is needed?
- Must swimming caps be worn?
- Is the pool cold or heated?
By preparing for the session, everyone will be at ease, learn more and actually have fun in the process.