SWIMMING IS NOT A SEASONAL SPORT

I know, I know. It’s winter in Canada and it’s time to take part in all our national sports, like;

 

Hockey

Skiing

Snowboarding

Cross country skiing

Curling

Skating

…and every other kind of outdoor activity to help us get through the cold months of the year!

 

For many Canadians, swimming is a summer sport and to most families, it is not a priority to enroll your kids in swimming lessons during the winter.

 

The truth is, swimming remains the first sport your children can successfully do before they can even walk.  Swimming is a life skill and learning how to swim at a young age can literally SAVE YOUR LIFE.

 

Contrary to popular belief, swimming is not a seasonal sport, it’s a year-long activity that your children should be enrolled in consistently until they are able to swim on their own, at the very least.  As a parent, there is nothing more concerning than that of safety and security of my kids.

No matter the weather, making sure my kids continue to refine and perfect their swimming skills is always on the top of my list of our family priority list.

 

Indoor pools in every municipality across Canada offer swimming lessons year-round with the goals of making sure that families have consistent access to classes so that their children know how to swim on their own come summer time.

 

Summer is not the time to “LEARN” how to swim, it’s the time to “KNOW” and “LOVE” swimming.

 

Like most things, we cannot be good at anything by only practicing for 3 months of the year.  Don’t get me wrong, summer is the best time to swim, but if you want your kids to be safe in the summer and enjoy aquatic activities during the warmer months, they need to have been practicing all year!

 

If you are wondering what to get your child as a gift this year, besides loads of toys, get them something that is healthy, fun and a practical lifesaving skill. Get them enrolled in swimming starting in January!  Our online store also has a variety of great swimming equipment, so your child has everything they need to swim their best! Make this year the year that you commit your children to knowing how to swim, so when summer time does come around, you know they are safe at the community pool, the water slides and in your backyard pool. Sign them up with one of our incredible, certified instructors who get your child swimming on their own by 3 years old and ready for competitive swimming between 5 and 8 years old.

 

Hey, I get it, it’s cold outside and winter throws all kinds of additional tasks in our way that make staying in WAYYYY easier than going out.  As if that’s not enough to discourage you, it is very difficult to contest that your child may catch a cold in the winter if they take swimming lessons.  As the owner of Canada Swim School and the Montreal Institute of Swimming, it’s not in my best interest to say this, but they probably will catch a cold this winter whether they swim or not.  Our company understands this, and that is why we have flexible scheduling options for when things like this occur.  At Canada Swim School, we offer a variety of locations so families have options near them, which can significantly reduce travel time. We also allow families the opportunity to reschedule classes if their kids have a cold.  We all have children, we get it and we got your back!

 

Remember, catching a cold in the winter is way better, and safer, than being a non-swimmer in the summer. When it comes to this, make sure you have your priorities in order.

 

Below is a list of things families can do to help reduce the chances of your kids catching colds after leaving their swimming lessons.

 

• Give them something warm to drink before and after their lessons.
• Dress them warmly to enter and exit the location where the swimming lessons take place. (wearing neck warmers, hats, gloves, zipped up jackets, warm pants and warm footwear)
• Blow dry their hair before they go outside. After lessons, make sure to dry your kids thoroughly.  Wet hair is a huge contributor to colds in the winter.
• Choose a pool that has relatively warm water, between 82 & 84 degrees F.
• Wrap them up in a towel immediately when they get out of the pool
• Have your kids wear something in their feet (flip flops) when they are walking around on deck.
• If both parents are watching the swimming lessons or your kids are old enough, warm up the car in advance and pull the car around front so your kids can hop into a nice warm car.

 

 

All in all, swimming is a must so sign up, dress warm and get to it!  Everyone should know how to swim before summer rolls around!

 

Happy Holidays Families!!! We wish you all the love, happiness, health and safety in the world.