why do we need to learn how to swim essay

Why You Should Learn to Swim: It Could Save Your Life

Thousands in the U.S. drown accidentally each year.

Years before he became a U.S. Olympic swimmer, Cullen Jones almost drowned in front of his parents.

Young Cullen loved the water. He happily spent hours in the bathtub, “until I was a prune,” he recalls. At age 5, his parents took him to a water park in Pennsylvania. His father slid down a water slide in an inner tube, followed by a gleeful Cullen. His joy quickly turned to terror. “I flipped upside down,” Jones, now 33, says. “Underwater, I held onto the inner tube, trying to pull myself up, but I didn’t have the strength.” Cullen lost consciousness; a lifeguard rescued and helped resuscitate him .

The terrifying episode prompted Jones’ parents to take him to swimming lessons. Jones – who won a gold medal as part of a U.S. men’s freestyle relay team in the 2008 London Olympic Games – recounts his near-drowning as part of his efforts to encourage kids, adolescents, teenagers and adults to learn to swim on behalf of the USA Swimming Foundation's “Make a Splash” program. He and other proponents of swimming and water safety point out that every year, about 3,500 people in the U.S. accidentally drown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Swimming is “not only a recreational activity – it’s a skill that saves lives,” says Lindsay Mondick, senior manager-aquatics for the YMCA. Swimming programs not only teach people how to swim, but they also provide other safety training, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation lessons, demonstrations of how to use safety equipment, such as flotation devices, and tips on safer places to swim.

[See: 7 Exercises You Can Do Now to Save Your Knees Later .]

Outreach efforts by the USA Swimming Foundation (which works with hundreds of local pools), the YMCA and hundreds of local recreation programs are making a difference, says Debbie Hesse , executive director of USA Swimming Foundation. The foundation recently released a new study by the University of Memphis and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas measuring the swimming ability of kids ages 4 to 18 and parents and other caregivers in the U.S. Within this group, the study found that 64 percent of African-Americans, 45 percent of Hispanics and 40 percent of Caucasians have little or no swimming ability, which puts them at risk for drowning. Those numbers may not sound great, but they’re an improvement of 5 to 10 percent (depending on the group) over a 2010 survey released by the foundation. That survey found that 70 percent of African-Americans had little or no swimming ability.

A 2014 study by the CDC found that the rate of drowning in swimming pools for black kids and teens between ages 5 and 19 is more than five times that of white children. This lack of swimming ability has led to some high-profile tragedies: In August 2010, for example, a black teenager wading along the Red River shoreline near Shreveport, Louisiana, slipped off a ledge into deeper water. The teen didn’t know how to swim and yelled for help. Five siblings and cousins rushed into the water to save him – but none of them could swim, either. All six drowned.

Pre-civil rights era Jim Crow policies account for why relatively few African-Americans have learned how to swim, says Jeff Wiltse , a history professor at the University of Montana who wrote “The Black-White Swimming Disparity in America: A Deadly Legacy of Swimming Pool Discrimination,” published in 2014 in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues. He also wrote the book “Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America.”

“The comparatively low swimming rates among black Americans today is, in large part, a legacy of past discrimination. Swimming became popularized among white Americans in the 1920s and 1930s at municipal swimming pools and in the 1950s and 1960s at suburban club pools,” Wiltse says. “Black Americans were largely denied access to these pools and the swim lessons that occurred at them. As a result, swimming never became integral to black Americans’ recreation and sports culture and was not passed down from generation to generation as commonly occurred with whites. In many cases, black parents passed along a fear of water to their children rather than the practice of swimming. In this way, the swimming disparity created by past discrimination persists to the present.”

[See: The 10 Most Underrated Exercises, According to Top Trainers .]

Jones, one of the most prominent African-American swimmers in U.S. history, hopes he and other black swimmers can serve as role models for black youths. Jones wants blacks and everyone else to not only learn swimming for safety reasons, but to improve their health. Swimming is great exercise that's easy on the joints, so it’s excellent for people with arthritis . It doesn’t take a toll on your feet or legs the way high-impact exercise can. Swimming can also help ward off diabetes , obesity and heart disease. “The ball is rolling, but there’s a lot more work to be done,” Jones says.

If you want to learn how to swim and get water safety training, or want your child to take swimming lessons, experts suggest these strategies:

Consider your options. Between programs offered by the USA Swimming Foundation, the YMCA, local parks and recreation centers and private swim schools, you should be able to find a regimen that suits your child or you in your area virtually everywhere in the country. At the foundation’s website , you can find more than 1,000 lesson providers.

Look for affordable lessons. This year, the YMCA will provide 27,000 scholarships for swimming lessons in underserved communities , Mondick says. The USA Swimming Foundation will provide $450,000 in grants this year to provide free or reduced-cost swimming lessons to children whose families otherwise wouldn't be able to afford them. And the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation has 31 swimming pools and another 30 splash pads (areas for water play that have no standing water, but could have ground nozzles) and small water parks, says Joe Goss, chief of the department’s aquatics program. In partnership with the American Red Cross, the department offers free swimming lessons in disadvantaged areas.

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Don’t procrastinate. Many people have a “this will never happen to me” attitude about drowning, says Jim O’Connor, aquatics safety coordinator for Miami-Dade County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. “It only takes 20 to 60 seconds for someone to be totally submerged in water,” he says. “It can happen quickly in a backyard pool with an unsupervised child."

The danger can be deceptive because “drowning doesn’t look like drowning,” says Lauren Bordages , director of Stop Drowning Now, an organization based in Tustin, California, that's dedicated to saving lives through drowning prevention and water safety education. “Drowning isn’t a splashy dramatic scene from television,” she says. “Drowning is silent.”

Don’t let age stop you. Some swimming programs offer training to children as young as 3 months. At that age, it’s about getting kids acclimated to water. Conversely, no one is ever too old to learn how to swim, Jones says. His mom, who’s 66, is planning on taking swim lessons this year. “You can learn to swim at any age,” he says.

[See: 8 Healthy West Coast Habits East Coasters Should Adopt .]

Have fun. “Swimming is one of the best ways to cool off in the summer heat and a fun way to stay active,” says Keith Anderson , director of the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation. “Take it from me; I swam as a youth, and it was one of my favorite sporting activities.”

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How Important is Learning to Swim?

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• Health & wellbeing,

If asked, most parents can immediately rattle off a list of basic life skills they instinctively know their children must learn to be safe and healthy. These lists usually include habits like looking both ways before crossing the street, washing hands with soap and water (timed by singing the “Happy Birthday” song) and eating the correct daily serving of fruits and vegetables.

But for too many parents, safety around water is not on the list; and that’s something we need to address.

Fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years old. And, the problem is particularly acute among minority communities. African-American children ages 5 to 14 are three times more likely to drown than white children of the same age.

According to a recent national study conducted at Ys by the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis at YMCAs, 64 percent of African-American and 45 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, compared to just 40 percent of Caucasian children . Equally concerning, 87 percent of those swimmers with no or low ability plan to go to a swimming facility at least once during the summer months and 34 percent plan to swim 10 or more times.

The Y is committed to making swimming part of the list of basic life skills and reducing water-related injuries, particularly in communities where children are most at risk, through the Safety Around Water program. This program focuses on teaching parents about the importance of water safety skills and provides more children with access to water safety lessons. These lessons teach youth valuable skills for when they find themselves in the water unexpectedly, a scary situation every child should be equipped to handle.

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‘Learning To Swim At 24 Taught Me An Important Life Lesson’

Assistant editor Naydeline Mejia shares how she came to peace with the water.

It was the summer of 2018. My sister, cousin, and I were aboard a motorboat with seven other wide-eyed tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunken statues off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. As we pulled away from the beach, I watched the celeste-hued water transform into a midnight blue and realized I could no longer rely on my fragile safety net—the knowledge that I’d be able to see my feet on the ocean floor. This was deep sea.

After about 15 minutes, our captain stopped the vessel and began to distribute the essentials alongside his assistant: life jackets, flippers, and goggles.

“Anyone who wants to get in and see the statues, now’s your chance,” he announced in Spanish, our shared mother tongue.

While I’m aware of the human body’s natural buoyancy in saltwater, I’m also conscious that the ocean will not hesitate to swallow one whole at the first sign of fear. In other words, I wasn’t about to risk it.

I’ve never been a particularly strong swimmer.

While I'd participated in an entire year of swimming lessons in the sixth grade—a rare opportunity for a low-income Black girl attending a West Bronx public school—sometime between the start of puberty and the beginning of adulthood, I had become increasingly aware of my own mortality. For me, this awareness largely manifested in a fear of drowning. When it comes to water-based activities, I prefer to stand comfortably in the shallow end.

And so, one by one, my boat mates made their way into the water. But I stayed onboard. As my family members and the other tourists followed the captain to see the life-sized sculptures which sat 30 feet under the surface, I began to viciously sob—failing miserably to hide my shame from the deckhand watching me as I swallowed my own salty tears.

I’ve always felt a deep connection to bodies of water . Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I search for a waterfront—a rarity in my concrete jungle home of New York City. My affinity also makes sense, since being in or near water has been linked to a reduction in stress, alleviated anxiety, and a boost in overall mood, according to licensed therapist Shontel Cargill, LMFT.

Yet, the visceral pain I felt that day from not being able to jump freely into the water is not something even I truly grasp. It felt like I’d tapped into a deep source within me—an ancestral struggle, almost. It was like I could hear the synchronous wails produced by my collective bloodline, begging for freedom from the forces that kept them shackled to the island of La Española—fearing yet worshiping the water gods.

It’s a common racist trope that Black people can’t swim.

But it’s hard to ignore this one’s startling reality. Nearly 64 percent of African-American children have no to low swimming ability, compared to 45 percent of Hispanic children and 40 percent of Caucasian children, according to USA Swimming . Moreover, Black children drown at rates three times higher than white children, per the CDC .

And it's not just children who are affected. Black people, in general, drown at higher rates than any other demographic, says Paulana Lamonier, the founder and CEO of Black People Will Swim , a mission-based program empowering Black and brown people to be more confident in the water. I first learned about Paulana and her mission after reading a feature on her on CNBC , and knew that when I decided to begin my swim journey, it would be with her.

“The reason why it’s important for us to teach people these life-saving skills is simply that: because it is a life-saving skill,” she tells me. “We’re really giving people that chance to dream again; the chance and opportunity for freedom. When you’re on vacation, you no longer have to sit poolside—you don’t have to be scared to jump.”

Twenty minutes past noon on Saturday, May 20, 2023, I went to my first swim class.

I arrived at CUNY York College’s Health and Physical Education Building where classes for Black People Will Swim’s spring 2023 program were being held. By the time I reached the 25-meter swimming pool, class was already in session.

Paulana, a warm yet commandeering figure, was teaching the class, and invited me to join. As I slowly and awkwardly slid my way into the pool's shallow end, I took in the expressions around me. There was a variety of ages in our adult-beginner course, which was made up of all Black women. Young 20-somethings, like myself, women in their 30s and 40s, and even a few Aunties—elders, often mature women over the age of 50.

Our first lesson started with a breath. We were to learn how to breathe underwater.

One by one, Paulana went around asking each of us to hop down into a squat until our fingertips touched the pool floor. Once there, rather than sucking in air through our nostrils, we were to expel that air by blowing bubbles—holding in the remaining oxygen in our mouths. When my hands touched the bottom of that pool and I was surrounded by blue I felt—if only for a second—at home. If only I could breathe underwater , I thought, I would never leave .

“The water was like my getaway,” says Maritza McClendon , a 2004 Olympic silver medalist and the first Black female to make the U.S. Olympic swim team. “Every time I get in the water, I’m in my happy place—I’m in my element.”

McClendon—who, after being diagnosed with scoliosis, began swimming at the age of six per her doctor’s recommendation—has always found solace in the water, even when the pressures of competitive swimming weighed her down.

"When I got in the pool, it was like I went into an oasis and forgot about everything—it was just me and the water.”

As I re-emerged from the pool after that first drill, I suddenly became aware of my senses. The silence from being submerged disappeared, and I was met with the noises around me.

To my right, one of my classmates—an older woman perhaps in her mid-60s to early 70s—was holding onto the edge, quietly blowing bubbles to herself as the rest of the class moved onto the next lesson.

I pondered what experience may have caused her to develop this palpable fear, and ultimately lead her here today. I also wanted to grab her hand and walk her to the middle of the pool, so we could float together like two otters, holding on tight to ensure the other wouldn't float too far away, and she could share some of the joy I felt.

The truth is, part of the reason why many Black and brown Americans don’t know how to swim today is a result of racial and class discrimination.

“There were two times when swimming surged in popularity—at public swimming pools during the 1920s and 1930s and at suburban swim clubs during the 1950s and 1960s. In both cases, large numbers of white Americans had easy access to these pools, whereas racial discrimination severely restricted Black Americans’ access,” wrote Jeff Wiltse, a historian and author of Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America , in a 2014 paper published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues .

The systemic impairing of Black Americans’ ability to swim—thanks to poorly maintained and unequal swimming pools, private clubs that barred Black members, and public pool closures in the wake of desegregation—meant that swimming became a “self-perpetuating recreational and sports culture” for white Americans, says Wiltse. Black communities struggled to literally and metaphorically get a foot in.

“[Swimming] is a predominantly white sport,” says McClendon. (FYI: Of the 331,228 USA Swimming members, less than 5 percent are Black or African American, according to the 2021 Membership Demographics Report .)

“Growing up, I was definitely one of the few at every single swim meet, and even on my swim team,” McClendon recounts. “As early as nine years old, I remember finishing a race in which I got first, and walking past a parent who said, ‘You should go back and do track or basketball. What are you doing here?’ Sort of questioning why I was in the sport. If anyone else would’ve won the race, they would’ve been congratulating them.”

While most of McClendon’s career spans the 1990s and early 2000s, she says instances like this still happen today.

I missed the next three weeks of classes, so by the time I walked into my second swim session, I felt energized yet daunted.

As soon as I got in the pool, I asked my classmates about their reasons for joining the Black People Will Swim program.

One woman shared that she wanted to learn how to swim because she’s the only one in her family that couldn't and she had a seven-month-old son: “If he’s drowning, I want to be able to save him,” she tells me.

The second woman I spoke to said almost drowning twice pushed her to want to learn.

Unsurprisingly, most of these reasons pertain to survival. Swimming , at the end of the day, is a skill needed to live; it’s an ability and privilege that so many take for granted.

At the start of that second class, I was anxious. I had missed so much during my time away, and we were at the point of the program where everyone was expected to navigate the 14-foot end of the pool. Our first lesson of the day: butterfly backstrokes. I tried my best to prolong my turn by generously offering that my other classmates go ahead of me, but eventually I had to go.

As I positioned my feet on the wall, held onto the edge of the pool, and laid my head back, I silently repeated to myself, You got this! You are a child of the water. You will not drown. “Ready?” asked the instructor who was teaching my class. With one deep breath, off I went.

As soon as I started kicking my feet and pushing the water forward with my arms, I was making headway. It felt so natural, like muscle memory. Perhaps those middle school swim lessons did teach me something. After about five strokes, I was ordered to stop so the next person could demonstrate if they were ready to move on to the next step.

Swimming is easy enough when you know you can safely land on your feet the moment you start to panic, but once the depth of the pool is above my own height (at 5'4"), I no longer feel at ease. So you can imagine my nervousness when the instructor said we were about to backstroke the entire 25-meter pool.

As I prepared for that feat on the wall, I recounted the memory of that fateful summer of 2018, when I was too afraid to jump off the boat without a lifejacket. Then there was another memory: 11-year-old Naydeline, unafraid to jump into the deep end. Instead, exhilarated by it.

“Ready?” asked the instructor.

Off I went, rapidly backstroking across that 25-meter pool. I was making headway, but as I reached the 12-meter mark, I stopped. I was beginning to swallow water, and the chlorine-tinged liquid filling my throat made me panic. I was no longer swimming, but sinking. I quickly grabbed the nearest lane rope to stabilize myself.

“What happened?” asked my instructor. “You were doing so well.”

“I panicked,” was all I could say. The intrusive thoughts had started to pour in as soon as I sensed the depth of the pool change from six feet to eight feet to 10 feet: You’re drowning, you’re drowning, you’re drowning , and my anxiety took over.

It took a few seconds to catch my breath, but then I turned to face the deep end of the pool. I realized there was no getting out of this—I had to keep going. With my instructor situated behind me to catch me if I began to drown, I shut my eyes and inhaled for three counts, exhaled for three counts, again and again. Ready?

I was off once more. I didn’t stop until I hit the end of the pool.

A month after the end of the swim program, I headed out on a trip to the island of Aruba.

The schedule was filled with walking tours, parasailing, and an exploration of one of the island’s many natural pools.

The author parasailing off a boat at Palm Beach, Aruba.

On the second to last day, we kayaked across a small portion of the Caribbean Sea to go snorkeling. There would be coral reefs, parrotfish, and lobsters. I opted out.

I wasn’t confident that I wouldn’t start to panic and drown. So, while the rest of my tour group and the instructor went ahead, I stayed seated on the dock. As I looked out at the expansive sea around me, noticing how the colors transitioned from celeste to navy, I breathed in deeply: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 . I was trying my best not to cry.

Our reserved, yet warm tour guide had also stayed behind. He claimed he was tired of beautiful beaches and ocean views—they didn’t impress him, he said. After noticing that I had been sitting alone on the dock for what felt like half an hour, he came to sit next to me. I told him about my deep affinity for the sea, but also how much it terrified me.

“The trick to swimming,” he said, “is letting go of fear. […] The water will do most of the work for you. It’ll hold you up, but only if you let it. You must remain calm, and trust yourself.”

Perhaps that is the missing puzzle piece: trust. Trust in the water, but most importantly, trust in myself. Trust that I could keep myself alive, and the water would help me—if I let it.

Naydeline Mejia is an assistant editor at Women’s Health , where she covers sex, relationships, and lifestyle for WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She is a proud graduate of Baruch College and has more than two years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content. When she’s not writing, you can find her thrift-shopping, binge-watching whatever reality dating show is trending at the moment, and spending countless hours scrolling through Pinterest.

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Why Are Swimming Skills So Important?

As we approach the New Year, I am reflecting on the overwhelming number of people I speak to on a daily basis that STILL don’t know how to swim! The American Red Cross conducted a recent survey and discovered that nearly half of American adults can not swim (their definition for the purpose of the survey “adults should be able to float or tread water for about a minute. Then be able to turn yourself so you can orient to a position of safety then you swim at least 25 yards and then get out of the water,” says Connie Harvey a Water Safety expert of the American Red Cross

Why is this the case? It’s true….the statistics are scary. In the US on average, every day, 10 people die due to drowning. Drowning is the 2nd largest cause of death for children ages 14 and younger; with kids of color drowning 3x more than their Caucasian peers. Amazingly, it is the leading cause of death for children 5 and younger; with many of those tragedies happening around the home! And on a global scale….drowning is the 2nd largest cause of death, period.

On the flip side, swimming is one of the most beneficial activities you can do ALL of your life! It is the best cardio/pulmonary and skeletal friendly exercise bar none. It’s a total body workout, working every muscle group, but with low impact. Embracing swimming as part of your exercise regime will help you avoid chronic health issues like obesity, heart problems and diabetes. From a cosmetic point of view, swimmers rarely look anywhere near their actual ages. It is the true fountain of youth.

The benefits of taking the skill to a competitive level certainly transcend the pool. Swimming is a sport that challenges the individual, for the benefit of the team. As a member of a community based swim team advancing through participating as an elite swimmer on a national team, you will learn self discipline, goal setting, commitment, team work, perseverance, resiliency, organizational and leadership skills. I often speak with educators from the primary school level through post graduate levels who reflect that competitive swimmers do very well academically. Why? Because it takes a laser like focus, self discipline, and the organizational skills needed to multi task so that you can successfully manage your time to swim multiple workouts during the day while going to school, doing home work and in some cases also going to work. Naturally, these skills will benefit the individual from their academic life into their careers, family lives and into the community as well.

Strong swimming skills enhance your life in many ways. Once you have them, you can explore 32 other water based sports. In some cases (water polo, competitive swimming and diving, rowing) there are college scholarships available. In other cases, like surfing…not so much! However, each sport is both physically and mentally challenging and you will meet people with similar interests and expand your social circle in a great way. There are also career opportunities available in the aquatics industry, the military , hospitality, sports and entertainment fields that utilize these skills.

So, why are you waiting? For those living in NYC with all of our waterfront communities certainly water safety and swimming skills should be mission number one. For safety, health and recreation, there is nothing like it. The younger you start, the better but it’s never too late to learn to swim.

Water Safety + Swimming Skills = LIFE Skills

Shawn Slevin is the Founder of Swim Strong Foundation, a 501c3 saving and changing lives through water safety and swimming skills programs in New York City.

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Learning to Swim for The First Time

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The Importance of Learning to Swim

May 3, 2019

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Opportunities to be around water are abundant in our Southern California communities and warm weather makes swimming an option most of the year. When it comes to children, these opportunities can be beneficial but also alarming to parents. Here are 4 reasons why it is important for your child to learn to swim:

• Swimming can save their lives! Swimming is the only activity that can save your child’s life or teach them how to save someone else’s. Being comfortable in the water is almost a necessity in life, because even if kids don’t go to a pool regularly, they should be at ease near any body of water. Water’s everywhere. Did you know, drowning is the leading cause of death for children one to four years old, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-14? These are scary statistics, but this can be changed.
• It improves their social life. Rare are the times where you’ll find a kid who doesn’t enjoy a good pool party, a summer dip to cool off or a chance to just splash around. Your child shouldn’t be any different in that regard. Taking swim lessons early means that your kid will fit right in at a party or during play time without you having to worry about him or her being an outsider.
• It’s an incredible, low-impact workout. There’s a reason why swimming is a preferred workout. It’s something you can continually do without putting stress on your joints. Swimming isn’t the easiest thing to do, but it gives people a high-intensity workout without stressing joints and muscles the same way that running or lifting weights do. It’s a workout that they can start early and never stop.
• Confidence is key. Find a child swimming in any body of water and, chances are, they’re confident. Swimming gives kids something to do where they’re truly in charge of how quickly they improve. Kids will feel like if they can handle swimming, they can handle just about anything.

Ultimately, it’s more of a question as to why shouldn’t your child be swimming, rather than why they should. Kids greatly benefit from everything that swimming offers, and there’s no doubt that they should be involved early and often.

For more information swimming lessons in your area, visit ymcaoc.org/swim .

Tags: aquatics , swim lessons , water safety , youth development

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Author Interviews

'why we swim' looks for answers in people and places across the globe.

Scott Simon

Why We Swim

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Humans came from dust, says Ecclesiastes.

But writer Bonnie Tsui reminds us that humankind also once sprang from — and still seeks — water.

Why do we swim? Tsui takes us from ponds to pools to surfers, racers and a few who have survived icy currents, seeking the answer in her new book, Why We Swim.

Interview Highlights

On the story of Iceland's Guðlaugur Friðþórsson

Guðlaugur Friðþórsson is an Icelandic fisherman off the coast of Iceland on a fishing trawler with his crew. And it's calm waters. It's cold. It's 41 degrees and it's in the middle of the night and the boat overturns [on March 11, 1984]. And they're all thrown to the sea. And, you know, in 41-degree water, within 20 to 30 minutes we die from hypothermia. But he did not. Everyone else did. And he ended up swimming six hours in that water to safety on the island where he's from called Heimaey. And when he finally got to hospital, the doctors weren't able to discern his heartbeat or reads his temperature on the thermometer. But he didn't show any signs of hypothermia. And he was only a little bit dehydrated. ...

I liked the story very much, because it is just the distillation of what makes swimming so special for humans. And it's that we have to learn how to swim. We have to teach ourselves how to swim. We're not born knowing how to do it instinctively. And yet there are traces of that evolutionary past still within us — our evolutionary past that came from the sea. And so with Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, it turns out his body fat was two to three times normal human thickness, and more solid. And so he resembled a marine mammal more than a terrestrial mammal. And that saved him. That kept his core temperature warm and stable and he was able to keep swimming.

On her interest in swimming

My family origin story is that my parents met in a swimming pool in Hong Kong. You know, we kind of came from there — as my brother and I like to think about it. And we grew up a swimming family. We grew up at Jones Beach in the pool. Long Island lifeguards. Swim team. And I just always remember feeling more comfortable and happy in the water, actually, than on land. And I do think that that carries over today. I just — that comfort in that, I mean, there's just this sense of magic that you get from being in the water and buoyancy that you just don't have on land.

On water having meditative properties

I does. I have a section of the book that's on flow. And so when I say flow, I mean, of course, the way that psychologist intended, where they're talking about when you're so immersed in the doing of an activity that you are just one with it. You don't notice time passing. And it just happens so organically. ... And I just think that when you are in water, through the rhythm of the strokes, the rhythm and the breathing, that sort of enhances the calm and relaxation in our brain and in our bodies and, so, we enter a different state.

On swimming in cold water

There are benefits to cold water immersion. And there's been quite a bit of research in recent years where, you know, your dopamine levels go up and your blood pressure — the shock of the water, of course, can increase your blood pressure. But then there's, over time, that your cardiovascular system is strengthened from being in cold water, swimming in cold water....

And so we didn't know why exactly. And the science is kind of starting to catch up, but we kind of knew it instinctively, in some way, that there's a wellness aspect to it.

On brown fat

I did not know about brown fat until I started swimming with the Dolphin Club Swimmers in San Francisco Bay. And everyone talked about brown fat. And so, I went to UCSF to talk to the foremost researchers in brown fat. And it turns out that mammals are born with two kinds of fat: white fat, which we all know about, which is the energy stores of our bodies; and brown fat, which actually burns and produces heat energy. We kind of start to lose it as we get older, but there are ways to do what's called "the browning of white fat," which is to kind of turn it into — instead of energy storage — energy burning tissue. And that fat is called beige fat. And so, what kind of encourages the development of beige fat is cold water immersion, cold water exposure and exercise, among other things. But those have been proven to be causing this change in our bodies. ...

And certainly we need a lot of energy stores, the white fat, to make it, to swim long distances, to survive the cold water and to have the endurance. But the brown fat is what produces heat energy. And so, you know, swimmers like Lynne Cox — this legendary cold-water, long-distance swimmer — she's done a lot of experiments. She's participated a lot of studies that show her body to be quite remarkable in that respect.

On competitive swimming

One of the sections of the book is on competition. And because I'm a person who is not, sort of, character-wise, I'm not wired to be a deep competitor who is just chomping at the bit, wants to race, wants to prove myself. I'm actually really afraid of it. I get really nervous. But I wanted to talk to Olympic swimmers, like Dara Torres, and kind of get into the mindset of an athlete who just keeps going back for it. For these competitors, they spend years and years of their lives for the race, for the thrill of competition and the feeling that they get when they are in a race setting. And so, I mean, in the book, I talk about how in a lot of ways a race is sublimation of our survival instincts. It's where we find ourselves being able to try to push ourselves and put ourselves to a test in a way that, in modern life, we typically don't have that anymore — recent conditions notwithstanding. But it's the thrill. It's a thrill. And it is something that makes us feel more alive.

And of course, when we dance closer to this porous state, this place between life and death, between swimming and drowning — that adrenaline puts us in that place and we feel more alive.

On swimming during the pandemic

In the Bay Area, the beaches are still open. And so, I've been getting into Ocean Beach early in the mornings. And I actually had what I call a "wrestling session" with the ocean this morning. So I feel much better. ... I swim early in the morning usually. When there is no pandemic, I'm in the pool in the mornings or in the ocean surfing in the open water. So I get the fix of mine early in the morning because I know that will make me a better person for the rest of the day.

I think that there are a lot of us who are longing for the water right now. Specifically, the swimmers who are just, you know, they get their daily tonic. And I know that from talking to a lot of researchers and scientists for this book that the water is a draw for us no matter what.

And so even if you can't get in the water, if you can walk near it, can look at it, can see it ... Just look at imagery. Watch a surf movie. I mean, those things make a difference for our souls and the way our bodies and brains work. Like we respond to those points in the environment — those blue spaces are what we respond to. And even if we can't get in the water right now, the ocean will be waiting for us, the pool will be waiting for us, on the other side of this.

• bonnie tsui

The magazine

Discover everything about swimming and bathing, why learning to swim is important and where you can learn it.

Swimming skills for life: Why learning to swim is important and where to learn.

Learning to swim is an important skill that can save your life and improve your overall health and fitness. Swimming is a full-body workout that strengthens your muscles, improves your cardiovascular system and increases your endurance. It's also a great way to keep cool and have fun during the hot summer months.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death, especially among children. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. In the United States, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children under 14 and the fifth leading cause of accidental death in adults.

Knowing how to swim can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. Swimming lessons teach people how to stay afloat and how to get to safety in an emergency. You also learn how to properly supervise children in the water and how to prevent accidents.

Not only is swimming a potentially life-saving skill, but it's also a great form of exercise that can have a positive impact on your overall health and fitness. Swimming is a joint-friendly activity that puts less stress on the joints than running or jumping, making it ideal for people with injuries or chronic pain. In the hot summer months, swimming is also a great way to cool off and have fun.

Swimming is a total body workout that can help strengthen and tone muscles. Water resistance provides an effective workout for the arms, legs and core and can help improve strength, endurance and flexibility. Swimming can also improve your cardiovascular health and increase your lung capacity. Since swimming requires you to hold your breath and use your lungs to power your pulls, you can improve your breathing and overall lung function.

There are many places where you can learn to swim. Many communities offer swimming lessons at their local pools or recreation centers. These classes are usually taught by certified instructors who can provide individualized instruction and support to help you learn to swim at your own pace. Some schools also offer swimming lessons as part of physical education. These lessons are a great way for children to learn to swim in a safe and controlled environment.

You can also find private swim instructors who offer lessons at a local pool or in your home. Private lessons offer a more personalized learning experience and can be tailored to your specific needs and goals. Private instructors can also teach you individually and help you overcome any fears or obstacles that may be holding you back from learning to swim.

In addition to traditional in-person lessons, there are also many online resources and instructional videos that can help you learn to swim. These resources provide valuable information and instruction on swimming and are a great way to learn the basics of swimming in the comfort of your own home. Online resources can also be a useful supplement to in-person lessons, providing additional support and guidance as you learn to swim.

In summary, learning to swim is an important skill that can save your life and improve your overall health and fitness. There are many ways to learn to swim, including swimming pools, schools, private instructors, and the Internet. No matter where you learn to swim, the important thing is that you take the time to learn this valuable skill and enjoy the many benefits that swimming has to offer.

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Why should my child take swimming lessons? And what do they need to know?

Senior Lecturer Sport Management, Western Sydney University

Senior Lecturer - Health, University of Tasmania

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney

Disclosure statement

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Technology Sydney provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

University of Tasmania and Western Sydney University provide funding as members of The Conversation AU.

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Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death from injury worldwide. From July 2018 to June 2019, 276 people drowned across Australia – a 10% increase on the previous year.

Among those were 19 children under four years old, eight children between five and 14 and a further 45 young people aged 15-24.

As temperatures soared this summer, 53 more people drowned at Australian beaches, rivers and pools including six children. There were also 584 non-fatal drownings requiring hospitalisation, and many unreported near-tragedies.

Structured swim classes that help kids become familiar with, and confident around, water can set the foundation for later swimming skills and aquatic safety.

It’s difficult to quantify the statistical significance of how effective swimming lessons can be. But some US research suggests formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning for children aged one to four by 88%.

Here’s what your child should ideally be able to do in the water at different stages of their development.

Pre-school (six months - four years)

Parents should be encouraged to play with their children in safe aquatic environments. Even the youngest babies can be taught swimming survival skills, like floating on their backs. Splashing around and gliding through the water can aid cognitive and physical development for infants and toddlers.

Early experiences of this kind can also improve parents’ awareness of child safety. No matter how familiar the child is with the water, it’s important for parents to never overestimate their child’s abilities and supervise them without distractions (such as mobile phones) at all times.

By the time children are four, they should ideally be able to enter and leave the water safely (by checking depth and looking for obstacles or hazards in the water). They should also be able to float, move through the water and control their breathing.

Primary school (five to 12 years)

Most primary schools involve children in intensive swim programs. These can be a useful way to increase swim skills and help children if they get into trouble in the ocean or a pool.

But one Australian study found children need ongoing weekly swimming instruction, in addition to their school swimming programs, to maintain their swimming and water safety skills.

Due to money and time, most children’s involvement in formal swimming lessons significantly declines in the later primary years. This means many children stop swimming lessons before they have learnt the basic skills they need to keep them safe.

To help parents meet sport activity costs, some state governments have implemented voucher style systems for swimming lessons. For instance, parents of NSW school aged children can claim up to two A$100 vouchers if they access swimming lessons through registered providers.

Children who are 11-12 years old should be able to :

continuously swim 50m using freestyle or backstroke

scull (use their arms to move around in the water) float or tread water for two minutes

throw a rescue flotation aid to a partner at five metres away

swim fully clothed, in swimwear or normal clothes (to simulate an accidental fall into water).

Secondary school (11 to 18 years)

High school (and older) students need broad water safety programs aligned with their secondary school curriculum. Programs should address the skills, as well as knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of this group of students to promote safer behaviour in water environments.

Read more: For many, a pool swim is an Australian birthright. Let's make it easier for solo parents to claim it

Changing the terminology from “learn to swim” or “swimming lessons” to “lifesaving and survival” – and promoting these as lifelong skills – may encourage more teenagers and young adults to take swim classes.

Groups at risk

Water is not naturally considered a recreational resource for many migrant communities and their swimming experiences and exposure to formal water safety is often limited.

This puts migrant groups at particular risk of drowning.

In one study , 91.3% of participants born in Australia either were taking their kids to swimming lessons, or had previously done so. In contrast, only 76.7% of children whose parents were born outside Australia were, or had previously, taken swim lessons.

Read more: Australia's spike in summer drownings: what the media misses

Girls from culturally diverse backgrounds and children living in lower socioeconomic areas are less likely to go to the pool or the beach, or get swimming lessons. The high costs of lessons and geographic distance from swimming pools and restrictive clothing requirements due to cultural or religious beliefs are added complications.

We need clear policy and collective action to encourage these groups to take swimming and water-safety lessons.

Swimming is fun

Making children take swimming lessons can also make them dislike swimming , associating it with something they have to do. Swimming should be seen as fun.

Spontaneous play sessions with Mums and Dads in a fun but informal environment have many benefits for the whole family , including developing imagination, increasing social skills, working through emotions and aiding physical development and skills.

Read more: Why are public pools important in Australia? For our #myfavouritepool series, we're asking you

And if your older child is competent in the pool and becoming bored with swimming lessons, consider creating more water options to keep them interested and build on their water knowledge. Kayaking, canoeing, surfing, scuba diving and yachting are possible options and great activities for the family to do together.

Regularly exposing your children to safe and supervised water activities will help them be safe in pools, beaches and waterways.

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How I learned to swim

• In April, the writer Aaricka Washington set a goal that she would learn to swim before her 30th birthday. 
• Inspired by Black women trailblazers such as Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel, she took a leap of faith. 
• See more stories on Insider's business page .

The moment I vowed to learn how to swim came in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

It was 2019. I was with a group of friends for a destination wedding in Mexico and we were on a little boat excursion having the time of our lives, drinking, eating, and taking pictures. The boat's captains stopped for a chance for us to swim. 

Most of the wedding party seemed unafraid to jump in the water, so they put their life jackets on and jumped in. 

Even though I had no idea how to swim, not even in the shallow end of a public pool, and had always had a visceral fear of being surrounded by water, the daredevil in me won out. I fastened my life jacket and decided that I would be courageous. 

But as soon as my whole body met the ocean, I panicked. I'm by nature a control freak, and I had totally lost control. I didn't know what to do.

I wailed to my friends for help. Two of them, one on each side, helped guide me safely to shore, which looked like it was thousands of miles away. After what felt like hours, I fell to the ground, praising God's sand and land that welcomed me. 

But what inspired me, two years later, to actually walk into my local Y and sign up for swimming classes? It could have been the adventurous friend I was trying to impress, who was shocked to learn I didn't know how to swim. It could have been that I was inspired to see Simone Manuel become the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Or maybe it was the burst of determination I felt after reading Jazmine Hughes' personal essay in The New York Times about mastering swimming at the age of 28.

I know now that deciding to learn to swim was fueled by something more personal. I wanted to be able to sink my whole body in the water, and still feel in control. 

Swimming is a life skill that everyone should know. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 4,000 people die from drowning every year. When it comes to Black kids from 5-19 years old, the rates for drowning are 5.5 times higher than white kids in the same age group. A whopping 64% of African American children do not know how to swim, compared to 40% of white children. 

Also, swimming always seemed like a luxurious way to relax. Not knowing how to be at total peace in water was something particularly frustrating to someone like me, who loves to accomplish challenging tasks. There was this freedom I was missing out on.

There's also a long, tragic history of institutionalized and structural racism in this country, where Black people were seen as dirty, ridden with communicable diseases and sexually threatening to white swimmers. Segregation , violence , and lack of funding and upkeep of public pools after integration kept Black people from enjoying the same privileges that white people experienced.

Racist pool operators were sometimes known to "suddenly declare some nebulous malfunction," as Snopes put it, or even drain the pools , rather than allow Black swimmers to take a dip (that kind of behavior was memorialized by actress Halle Berry in the 1999 movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge ). There's a historic picture of James Brock, a Florida motel owner, pouring muriatic acid on a group of Black and white protesters who were staging a "swim-in" to integrate the pool. 

There are issues we face even now, like the ban on Soul Cap , a brand of swim caps that are designed to fit natural Black hair in all it's different forms, at the Tokyo Olympics. All because, according to the International Swimming Federation, the caps do not fit "the natural form of the head." The line, as The Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah noted , sounded like something from an "1890s phrenology manual." 

I know I'm not the only Black woman who grew up not liking the idea of getting my hair wet, especially with chlorine. My thick, tightly coiled hair takes time and money to maintain, wash, condition and style, and chlorine can be extremely damaging to our hair if we don't style and condition it before plunging our head into the water. But, I didn't want my hair to stop me. 

The Soul Cap, which I bought before the controversy, is the best cap for the long box braids or crochet hairstyles that I like to wear. Before Black-owned swim cap brands like Soul Cap and Lock Journey, swim caps designed without naturally thick, afro-textured hair in mind were keeping Black women out of swimming pools, Marissa Evans explained in her 2018 article in The Atlantic .

I think about all of the stereotypes: Black people don't want to swim. Black people can't float.

But, we've been defying that ever since Black American swimmers like Cullen Jones , Maritza Mclendon , Lia Neal, and Simone Manuel came on the scene winning Olympic medals. We are beating the odds that have been set against us. 

And so, back in April, I decided I would learn how to swim before I turn 30 in December. 

—Aaricka Washington (@aarickawash) April 9, 2021

I signed up to take eight 30-minute lessons at my local YMCA. These would be private lessons, to minimize the COVID-19 risk for me and the instructor.  On the first day, I met my teacher, Christy Durbin. 

Durbin, who at 48, has a background in nursing and has been teaching at the Y on and off since 2007. She's an inspiration all by herself. Swimming has helped her manage rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. She has regained motor control, strength, and it's been physically and mentally good for her. "It is a good environment to heal in," she told me.

Coaching beginner swimmers, especially adults, is her passion. 

Durbin was firm, but motherly. When she asked me how comfortable I was in the water, I told her I was scared, even though I had once jumped into the Pacific Ocean. Every single lesson felt like I was conquering an unknown fear. 

The very first day, we did head bobs, which Durbin said teaches you to keep the water out of your nose.

You hold your breath, dunk your head in the water, and then blow out through your nose so bubbles rise to the surface. Only then do you bring your head up for air. That came easy to me.

"For someone who is afraid of water, you did swimmingly," Durbin told me.  

Kicking took me a few lessons to get the hang of. After taking a water aerobics class, I was able to kick halfway down the pool with very little resistance. I felt powerful. I felt in control. There is simply no greater feeling than learning how to do something you previously didn't have any idea how to do. 

After that, the lessons grew more challenging. I panicked at the loss of control when my instructor tried to get me to float on my back, or remember to breathe while moving my arms and legs in a crawl stroke. 

It was hard to know where the stress from losing control in the water ended, and where the stress from the grief I felt from losing control in my personal life began. This seemingly never-ending coronavirus pandemic, experiences with racism and misogynoir, loneliness, stress, and the loss of loved ones who died tragically – all of it was weighing on me during the time I was learning to swim. 

Learning these new reflexes that often come naturally for children, but not for adults who've had decades to learn fear, was life-changing for me. Durbin always ends our lessons with something that I mastered, which lights up the dopamine part of my brain that had been inactive for so long. It was the therapy I never knew I needed. 

It's August now, and I'm so surprised at my progress.

I can float on my back and face-up, kick my way halfway down the pool, and swim the backstroke. Durbin sends me videos of swimmers doing the freestyle and backstroke. She tells me that it's all about repetition and visualization. 

Durbin has gotten to know me a little and she has this saying, "progress not perfection." I've started saying that in my daily life.  

According to my coach, I still have a lot of learning to do. She still wants me to better manage my muscles so that I can relax what I'm not using. Windmilling through the freestyle has also got to end. 

My personal goal is to swim 100 yards without stopping – front or back – and to tread water for one minute. I want to be able to dive off boards and compete in triathlons. 

I want to feel in control while doing anything I please in the water – not only for me, but for every Black person who wants to feel accomplished doing things that were previously forbidden. In order to do that, I've learned I have to be okay with losing a bit of that control, too.

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The Importance of Swim Lessons for Kids and Adults

June 29, 2023 Aquatics

Are you ready to make a splash and prioritize water safety for yourself and your loved ones? Join us as we dive into the world of swim lessons and explore why they are essential for both kids and adults. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, swim lessons offer invaluable benefits that go beyond just learning how to swim.

Building Confidence and Safety

Swim lessons provide a foundation of confidence and safety in and around the water. For children, learning to swim at an early age instills a sense of self-assurance , helping them feel comfortable and secure in aquatic environments. Adults, too, can benefit from swim lessons as they gain the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate pools, lakes, and oceans safely. Building confidence in the water can open up a world of opportunities for fun and recreation, while also providing peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are equipped with essential water safety skills.

Developing Life-Saving Skills

Swimming is not only a recreational activity but also a life-saving skill . Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, and having the ability to swim can make all the difference. Swim lessons teach vital water survival techniques, including proper breathing, floating, and stroke techniques, which can save lives in emergency situations. By mastering these skills, individuals of all ages can become confident and capable swimmers, ready to respond effectively and safely if faced with unexpected water-related incidents.

Promoting Physical Fitness and Well-being

Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit and lead a healthy lifestyle. It is a low-impact exercise that works the entire body, improving cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and endurance. Whether you're splashing around with your little ones or engaging in lap swimming, swim lessons offer a fun and effective way to stay active and maintain overall physical well-being. Plus, the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on joints, making it an ideal exercise for individuals with joint pain or mobility limitations.

Fostering Social Connections

Swim lessons create opportunities for social connections and community engagement. Whether it's joining a group lesson, participating in swim clubs, or attending family swim sessions, these experiences allow individuals of all ages to connect with others who share a passion for swimming and water activities. Building friendships, encouraging teamwork, and fostering a sense of belonging can make the swim lesson journey even more enjoyable and rewarding.

Whether you're a child taking your first strokes or an adult seeking to enhance your skills, swim lessons offer a wide range of benefits. From building confidence and safety to developing life-saving skills, promoting physical fitness, and fostering social connections, swim lessons are an investment in your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones. Join us on this aquatic adventure and embark on a journey that will leave you swimming with joy, confidence, and peace of mind.

Remember, water safety is a skill that lasts a lifetime, and it's never too late to start. Let's make a splash together and prioritize water safety for a lifetime of fun, fitness, and cherished memories in and around the water!

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Study Today

Largest Compilation of Structured Essays and Exams

Essay on Swimming | Benefits of Swimming

December 10, 2017 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

We never know when the danger would come to us. We don’t know about what is going to happen next. We should be prepared for every situation. We should be trained for the dangerous situation.

One such activity is swimming. Everyone should be aware of swimming. Swimming is a kind of exercise which is performed in water.  It helps people to float on the water. Usually heavy objects drown in water. But swimming helps to float in water. It enables us to get the feel of water.

We are humans. We need to learn how to swim. There are animals who are natural swimmers. They don’t need to learn swimming. They have limbs. The animals such as cattle, crocodiles, frogs, etc. if go into the water will swim. But if humans go they will drown.

They need to learn the art of swimming first and then get into the water. People should learn this. This is a safety weapon. It is not necessary that only a certain category of people should learn swimming. The fisherman should know the art of swimming. The sailors should know the art of swimming. Everyone should know it. The mishap can happen to any -one. It will not see who is to be victimized.

It is even seen in most of the cases that the sailors or the fishermen are itself not the swimmers. They should know it. It is very important for them. They have to deal with the water bodies all through-out the day. It would be a great risk for them if they are unaware of this art.

There are various examples of this. On the other hand there are people who have made world records in swimming. The best way to teach swimming is to teach them when they are young. It is easy for the children to learn new things and to convince them.

It is easy to deal with them and to manipulate them. Moreover the earlier they learn the more experienced they become. This would make them perfect swimmers. This would give them so much of practice. They will not have any fear of water. In fact they would love to experiment with their swimming style.

They would try to go deep into the water body. They would do all these things out of confidence. They would do these things out of experience that they had gained. The most important advantage of it is that they can save themselves in dangerous situation.

They can save themselves from drowning. They can easily do boat rides knowing the fact that know swimming. If anything goes wrong they would be able to escape and be safe. They can easily do water sports which other people hesitate to do.

All the non -swimmers who try these water stunts or go on boat rides they are always under the threat of danger. They are in areas prone to high waves and disturbances. Their life is always under the risk. If it happens that a big huge wave turns the boat then people would drown.

The one who knows swimming would escape easily but others would die. There are various incidents happening near the sea shore. We always get to hear the news of death of several people because of the drowning in the river. This is very sad. Hence it becomes very necessary to learn swimming.

 The advantage of knowing swimming is great. It is said that save some one’s life is equal to give life to some-one. A swimmer in tough situations can perform several things. He has the power not only to save himself but also to save others. He can protect other as well. It feels so sad and dejected if we are unable to help some-one who is really in need. On the other hand it feels great when we are able to help others.

There would not be any other site as helpless as to see some -one dying. In case of drowning we could only see the people drowning if we don’t know swimming. But it would feel great and amazing if we are able to save the life of the drowning one. It is a big gift to us.

Nothing is bigger than saving the life of some-one.  Swimming has lot more advantages other than this. It is very healthy and it keeps the metabolism of body stable. It helps the people to remain healthy. It is very pleasing and a good experience.

It makes people feel light and enables them to enjoy themselves. It is a very amazing way of exercise. It makes the movement of muscles. The beautiful destination places to spend vacations are on river side. It looks ecstatic and beautiful.

The feeling of happiness would increase more if people know how to swim. They can take the complete pleasure of their vacation. They can swim and float on the river. They can perform various water tasks. They can go for water surfing.

They can go for boat rides. They can swim. They can do river rafting and cliff jumping. All these sports are possible only when you know how to swim.

There are various swimming competitions held up to national and international levels. People participate in this. The contestants make world records.

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5 Great Reasons Why Everyone Should Know How to Swim

There are a few core skills that most people would likely agree everyone should have – how to walk, talk, read and write, for example. But aside from the typical gross and fine motor skills that we learn growing up, there are a few others that are just as important to master. We’ll give you one –  how to swim.

Mecklenburg County hosts the World’s Largest Swim Lesson at the newly renovated Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center in 2017.

Even if you don’t aspire to be an Olympic swimmer, here are five reasons why you should make the effort to learn (courtesy of our professional aquatic staff).

• It could save your life (and someone else’s, too). Accidents happen (did you know that drowning is still one of the most common causes of accidental death in children?), and there’s always a chance that you could wind up in the water even when you weren’t planning to. Knowing how to swim is one of the best ways to ensure that you can keep yourself and others safe if an unexpected situation were to arise.
• It’s a total body workout. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to achieve your fitness goals. Swimming requires you to use many muscle groups (it’s basically a high intensity, cardio workout!), and can result in increased flexibility, coordination, and better posture.
• Talk about heart and lung health! The more you swim, the more your heart works. As a result, your lung capacity could improve by spending more time in the water. Imagine that – not only is swimming a way to have fun, but it can strengthen your heart and lungs while you’re at it!
• It can help you relieve your stress. Swimming doesn’t just benefit your physical health – it can also benefit your mental health. Just floating in the water alone can help relax both your body and mind! According to our aquatic experts, being submerged dulls the amount of sensory information your body takes on, so being in the water can help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
• It opens the door for other activities. Did you know that the earth is made up of over 71% water? There are tons of ways to enjoy the water other than swimming (water sports, anyone?), but before you can try out anything else, you need to know how to be comfortable in it.

Swim Lessons in Mecklenburg County

Now that you know  why it’s important for everyone to know how to swim, it’s time to talk about  where  you can go to learn. We have good news: Park and Rec offers swim lessons for people of all ages and skill levels!

Paid swim lessons for ages 3m – adult are available year-round at the Marion Diehl Recreation Center and the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center . FREE swim lessons (yes,  free !), are typically available at both of our outdoor pools ( Cordelia and the Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center ) in the summer, and at Rays Splash Planet year-round. All lessons are 30-45 minutes in length depending on age, and a session usually includes 6-8 lessons.

For immediate access to information about upcoming swim lesson registration events, be sure to connect with Park and Rec on Facebook and Twitter !

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Why you should learn how to swim.

The importance of learning how to swim

The importance of teaching your child to swim.

According to the National Safe Kids Campaign , “drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages 1 – 14, making it absolutely crucial that all kids know how to swim at a young age. There is water all around us, even if it’s as small as a bathtub, so making sure that your child is comfortable in and around water is essential to their safety”. It is also important to remember that children who appear to be water confident are not always competent swimmers, that’s why we at Gaborone International School encourage parents to get involved and enrol themselves together with their children in swimming lessons to at least learn the preliminaries of swimming. Another great thing about swimming is that children of any age or ability can take part and it is more accessible for children with special needs than any other sport.

When Can My Child Start Swimming?

Some parents have actually set an age for their children to start learning how to swim, while other parents don’t find it necessary to teach their kids how to swim. What most parents don’t know is that a child has the ability to swim as soon as they can open their eyes after birth. Of course, young children will need some help getting started. You can help your child get used to the water by filling a small cup with warm water and pouring it over their shoulders and head. You can also let them play in the bathtub with toys and bubbles.

What are the Benefits of Teaching Your Child how to Swim?

There are many reasons why it's important to teach your child to swim. Swimming can help to:

As mentioned earlier, drowning is a leading cause of death in children. By teaching your child to swim, you can help to reduce the risk of this happening.

• Improve your child's physical health

Swimming is a great way to get exercise. It can help to improve your child's strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.

• Boost your child's self-confidence.

Learning to swim can be a challenging but rewarding experience. When your child succeeds at learning to swim, it can help to boost their self-confidence and self-esteem

• Give your child a new hobby.

Swimming is a great way to stay active and have fun. It's also a great way to make friends.

• Improve their mental health.

Swimming can help to improve mental health in children. It can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Swimming can teach children self-discipline.

For example, it can teach them the importance of following instructions, working hard, and being patient.

What to Expect at Your First Swimming Lesson

It's important to remember that everyone learns at their own pace. Don't be discouraged if your child doesn't master all of the skills in their first lesson. Just keep practicing and your child will eventually learn to swim. Swimming is a great skill for kids to learn. It can help to keep them safe, improve their physical health, and boost their self-confidence. At Gaborone International School we care about your child’s safety, happiness and health. Enrol today for peace of mind.

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Home / Essay Samples / Sports / Swimming / The Story of My First Swimming Experience

The Story of My First Swimming Experience

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