Hey Swimmers! It’s ya boy Curtis Knight with 123 Swimming Lessons. Today we are diving into a question that often comes up among individuals, can you forget how to swim?

Whether you are a seasoned swimmer or someone who learned to swim years ago but hasn’t dipped their toes in the water lately, this topic is relevant to all. Let’s explore this intriguing question with some key insights.

Memory & Muscle Memory:

Muscle Memory: Swimming, like riding a bike, relies heavily on muscle memory. Once you have learned the fundamental techniques, your body retains this knowledge even if you haven’t practiced for a while.

Skill Retention: While you may not “forget” how to swim entirely, skills & techniques can become rusty without regular practice. This is why consistency is key in maintaining proficiency.

Factors Influencing Forgetfulness

Time Away from Water: If you have been away from swimming for an extended period of time, you might feel less confident in your abilities. This is natural, but the foundational skills are often still there, waiting to be reignited.

Physical Condition: Changes in physical fitness can impact your swimming efficiency. If you’ve been inactive, your stamina & strength may have decreased, affecting your overall performance in the water.

Psychological Factors: Confidence plays a significant role in swimming. Anxiety or fear can sometimes create a mental block, making you feel as though you have “forgotten” how to swim, even if your body remembers the movements.

Refreshing Your Skills

Practice Regularly: The best way to prevent losing skill is to practice regularly. Even short, consistent sessions can help maintain & improve your swimming capabilities.

Take Refresher Lessons: Consider enrolling in refresher lessons, like those offered at a swim school. These can help reinforce your skills & boost your confidence in the water.

Set Realistic Goals: Start with manageable goals to gradually rebuild your swimming skill. This approach can make the process enjoyable & less overwhelming.

Final Thought

In conclusion, while you might feel a bit out of touch with your swimming skills after a hiatus, it’s unlikely that you’ll completely forget how to swim. Your body and mind retain the foundational skills, and with a bit of practice and patience, you can quickly regain your confidence and proficiency in the water.

As you’r online swim instructor I’m here to support swimmers of all levels. Remember, swimming is not just a skill it’s a LIFE SKILL that in reality is mandatory!

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Swimming lessons are a fantastic way to gain confidence in the water, improve your skills, & have fun. However, ensuring you have all the necessary items packed can enhance your experience & make the lessons more effective. As the founder of 123 Swimming Lessons, I’m here to help you prepare for a successful swim session with a list of essentials to pack.

Swimming Attire

Swimsuit: Choose a comfortable & well-fitted swimsuit. For ease of movement, opt for a one-piece for women & swim trunks/shorts for men. Choose a bright color that is visible to see in the water, & that doesn’t blend in the water for safety.

Swim Cap: A swim cap can help reduce drag in the water and keep your hair out of your face. It’s particularly beneficial for those with long hair.

Goggles: Protect your eyes from chlorine and improve your underwater visibility with a pair of quality goggles.

Pre & Post-Swim Essentials

Towel: Pack a large, absorbent towel to dry off after your lesson.

Flip-Flops or Pool Shoes: These will help protect your feet from rough surfaces & keep them dry and clean when walking around the pool area.

Shower Supplies: Bring along soap, shampoo, and a washcloth in a compact shower kit for a quick rinse after the swim.

Safety & Comfort Items

Ear Plugs: If you’re prone to ear infections or discomfort from water entering your ears, earplugs can be very useful.

Nose Clip: Some swimmers prefer using a nose clip to prevent water from entering their nostrils.

Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially after a swim. Bring a reusable water bottle to keep yourself refreshed.

Additional Gear for Beginners and Kids

Floatation Devices: Arm bands or floatation belts can provide additional safety for beginners, especially children.

Swim Diapers: For babies or toddlers not yet potty-trained, swim diapers are a must.

Spare Change of Clothes: Having an extra set of clothes can be handy in case your original outfit gets wet.

Miscellaneous

Swim Bag: Invest in a sturdy swim bag that can hold all your items and withstand moisture.

Snack: A light, healthy snack for after the swim can help replenish energy.

Preparing your swim gear in advance ensures a smooth and enjoyable swimming lesson experience. By organizing these essentials, you’ll be ready to dive into your lessons with confidence & focus on mastering your swimming skills. Happy swimming from all of us at 123 Swimming Lessons!

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Something you don’t think about until it’s time to get in the water is, “what swimwear is best when swimming?”

Choosing the right swimwear can greatly enhance your swimming experience, whether you’re training in a pool or enjoying open water. As a swim instructor, I often guide swimmers on selecting gear that optimizes performance, comfort & safety. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Features to Look for in Swimwear:

• Fit and Functionality: Opt for a snug fit that minimizes drag in the water. For women, one-piece suits are ideal for streamlined movement, while men often prefer jammers or swim briefs for reduced resistance. Avoid loose clothing as it can slow you down and hinder your swim.
• Material: Look for chlorine-resistant fabrics like polyester blends. These are durable and maintain their elasticity even with frequent pool use.
• Design and Style: Racerbacks, adjustable straps, and drawstring waistbands provide additional security during vigorous activities. Ensure the design supports your swimming goals, whether it’s recreational or competitive.

Safety Considerations for Color:

Color choice isn’t just about style; it’s a vital safety factor, especially in open water or crowded pools. Bright, high-visibility colors like neon green, orange, or yellow make swimmers easier to spot in emergencies. Dark or dull colors can blend with water, making visibility a challenge.

Why It Matters:

Wearing appropriate swimwear improves your comfort and technique while ensuring safety. As a swim instructor, I stress the importance of proper attire not only for performance but also to boost confidence and reduce potential risks.

I tend to emphasize a holistic approach to swimming, from skill development to understanding the right gear. When you’re well-equipped, you’re set to make the most of every stroke.

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I wanted to bullet point three main reasons on why swimming lessons are important for all age groups.

Swimming is more than just fun it’s a life skill that can provide safety, fitness & confidence. As a swim instructor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how transformative swimming can be for people of all ages. Here are three key reasons why swimming lessons are essential.

SAFTEY:

• Safety Comes First Accidental drowning remains a leading cause of injury-related death worldwide, especially among children. Learning how to swim equips individuals with essential skills to prevent accidents in and around water. Swimming lessons teach more than just strokes; they include water safety techniques such as floating, treading water, and understanding water currents. These lessons could one day save a life—either your own or someone else’s.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL STRENGTH:

• Builds Physical and Mental Strength Swimming is a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and enhances flexibility. It’s also a low-impact exercise, making it suitable for individuals of all fitness levels and ages. Beyond the physical benefits, swimming has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall mental well-being. Through structured lessons, swimmers develop discipline and focus, which can positively impact other areas of life.

CONFIDENCE:

• Fosters Confidence and Social Skills Learning to swim is an empowering experience. Overcoming initial fears of water and mastering new techniques instills a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance. Group lessons provide an additional benefit by fostering social interaction. Students often build friendships and learn teamwork skills as they encourage and support one another in achieving their swimming goals.

As a private swim instructor having a tailored lesson plan to suit individuals abilities, tends to be the best way to build confidence quickly. Whether you’re a parent considering lessons for your child, an adult learning to swim for the first time, or an athlete refining your technique, swimming lessons are an investment in your safety, health, and confidence.

Remember, swimming isn’t just a skill it’s a gateway to a healthier & happier lifestyle. Dive in and discover the benefits for yourself—you’ll be glad you did.

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Swimming is a great way to exercise. I myself have used it as a form of therapy for recovering from an injury or illness. As fun as swimming is can swimming lessons cause ear infections? Unfortunately, YES! Swimming can lead to an increased risk of ear infections.

Being aware of risks:

As a swim instructor, I know it is important to be aware of the risks that come with swimming & how to prevent them.

Ear infections are mainly caused by bacteria & viruses that enter your ear inside the canal.

When swimming, water can become trapped in the ear allowing bacteria & viruses to multiply inside. Swimmers who don’t dry their ears correctly or who swim in contaminated water are at a higher risk of getting an ear infection.

When I go swimming in Lakes, Ponds other stagnant bodies of water, I REALLY make sure I am clearing out my ears as best I can.

Preventing Ear Infections:

To help prevent ear infections, it’s important to teach swimmers proper ear care. Swimmers should always dry their ears thoroughly after swimming, using a towel to gently pat them dry.

It can also help to encourage swimmers to wear ear plugs or a swim cap with ear flaps when swimming in contaminated water.

It’s important to educate yourself or your child about the signs & symptoms of an ear infection.

Try to be aware that an ear infection can cause pain, itching, drainage also discomfort.

If a swimmer begins to feel they have any of these symptoms, they should be tended to them right away.

It will always help ensure that your children are aware of the risks of ear infections. With proper knowledge preventative measures can help keep your swimmers safe, healthy, happy while they enjoy a swim.

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A question that I get asked more & more about is, “Does ISR swimming work?”

I figured I would give my OPINION, coming from an instructors point of view on the topic.

This is not a post to bash ISR swim instructors.

From An Instructors Point Of View!

I never cared to learn about ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) until later in life.

Since I was 17, I had been teaching swimming but had not seen ISR until YouTube recommended it.

After watching videos of babies rolling over, back floating, taking a breath and giving parents time to rescue them, It definitely was intriguing.

I must say that it is what you want your child to do if you’re not around & they fell in the pool.

My wife & I looked into it more in hopes to offer another style of lessons just in case someone really wanted it. Ultimately we decided not to offer ISR aka (Infante Self Rescue) style.

Why ISR swim instruction does NOT work in my opinion after learning some facts!

ISR swim instruction is ineffective because it only focuses on teaching children to submerge & float. Instead of teaching them the proper stroke technique & how to swim.

The way in which ISR is introduced is very shocking to a child’s system that is not familiar with the water. There is no slow intro to help a child understand the water before entering.

ISR heavily relies on repetition, which might not be effective for some children & can cause frustration and exhaustion.

ISR does not include drills or stroke technique, which can hinder a swimmer’s progress & growth.

Lastly, ISR does not offer any type of progress tracking. This makes it challenging for instructors to measure if their students are improving or not.

In Conclusion:

For 18+ years, I have taught everyone from babies to adults.

This style of instruction can be shocking for a child who is not used to the water. It can be especially difficult for a child who is scared and needs to be eased into the water.

I don’t want to criticize this teaching style since it has worked for many people, but I prefer to have a good relationship with my students and parents.

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I frequently get asked by parents what age swimming lessons should be introduced to their children? This is a very good question & I figured I would answer it for everyone.

Normally I would say there’s no correct answer for some questions. For this question what age swimming lessons should be introduced, the correct answer is the earliest you possibly can. I am a parent myself of 2 boys & I personally started introducing both of my kids as early as 3 months old. Of course if it is the middle of winter & you don’t have a heated pool then yes wait until the summer to enter the pool.

Honestly you don’t need a pool to introduce your baby to the water. One thing I always tell my families that you can simply use your bathtub & or shower to get them use to the water. Babies pick up the basics of being in the water quickly.

Some examples:

For example holding their breath is the first thing you can work on in a bathtub or shower. Showing them how to blow bubbles & baby splashing helps them know when they need to hold their breath. Your baby will have to go through choking on some water in order to realize that its a good idea to hold their breath.

In the shower you can throw them off guard with splashing the water on their face. It prepares them for the water & learning to hold their breaths quickly before they hit a body of water. It is a simple tool but a very important tool.

Final Thoughts….

I can’t sit here & say that your baby will learn how to swim laps in the pool as a 6 months old because that’s not what happens. You will be surprised at what babies can do in the water when the repetitions are put forth.

For me the most important thing would be teaching them to hold their breath as early as possible. The safety behind them having time if something was to happen is always my main thing. After that let everything else come as it does. Remember we want them to have fun & enjoy the water don’t push things if it doesn’t need to be pushed.

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It may be a funny question to us swim instructors, but are swimming lessons worth it as far as teaching children? Well its definitely not a dumb question that is for sure. If you don’t know something then you ask a question right?

The one thing I always tell people is that swimming actually is a LIFE SKILL! Personally I believe it should be taught in school as part of learning as we grow. I had just was listening to a podcast not too long ago and they mentioned something I knew but didn’t know that the numbers had gotten worse.

Shocking numbers

I learned that 40% of white people and 60% of black people in America can NOT swim. There has been actual stories of kids jumping into their pool at home and their parents jumping in to save them and the PARENT can NOT swim. Unfortunately in some of these stories people actually lost their lives.

This is a HUGE problem that we need to realize and fix to be honest. I know people dismiss swimming lessons and think that its all good no one is drowning very much. FALSE! Did you know that drowning is 4th in top 10 leading causes of child and adolescent death in the U.S as of 2018?

The numbers above shocked me as a swim instructor and didn’t really think that it was this bad. So are swimming lessons worth it? Yes they are very much so worth every little cent. It will save your life and your childs life to learn how to swim. It does not take very long for a child to drown at all.

Now I can NOT say that every swim instructor or swim school is worth it of course because everyone has their own style of teaching. The one thing I will say is please get your child familiar with the water at an early age because it will only help if something was to go wrong. It will be worth yours or your childs life to have that LIFE SKILL.

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One of the most asked questions on the internet about swimming lessons is, “Are swimming lessons safe during covid?” This is definitely a question that has to be addressed of course. LOL.

Let’s take a look at it from a safety prospective. For a child & parent that never have had lessons in the water before.

Now are swimming lessons safe during this covid situation?

As an individual that taught during the full summer of 2020 I will tell you it is probably one of the safest activities to do.

We all have our basic rules as swim instructors & swim schools:

To ensure that all of our students stay safe, we all have our basic rules as swim instructors & swim schools. I am a private swim instructor & teach only up to 3 students at a time.

Most group classes in a swim school also keep classes at a small maximum number count. This will make sure,

• The instructor isn’t overwhelmed.
• Your child isn’t around too many other people.
• Your child gets the instructors FULL attention.

As for the safety of Covid itself you are very much protected outdoors & in a chlorinated pool water.

Knowing about water safety as well as I do, I always want to make sure your child is ready, focused & not having distractions in their way.

Wearing face coverings of any sort can be a huge distraction. Wearing them in or around the pool or a body of water can be a major hazard to you or your child. Especially your child, they do NOT have the reaction time of an adult to be able to remove coverings from their face under water.

I myself do not wear face coverings in the water:

A friend of mine had an incident chocking underwater while having some fun with a face covering on in the water. After witnessing that I choose NOT to wear face coverings in the water at all. I can not & will not put your child or myself at risk of accidental drowning.

Have I been asked if I will wear a face covering in the pool while teaching? Yes of course. I had to explained that wearing a face covering in the water will be much more of a hazard to your life than catching a virus.

We defiantly understand the worries of Covid & I am not speaking as a doctor. I am speaking from experience that swimming lessons during covid is very safe. As long as your swim school or private swim instructor is taking the right steps for safety you will have no problems.

Swimming is a great tool to keep covid virus out of your child’s system also by using it as a small workout. Studies are showing that children really don’t have any symptoms and they shake it like it’s a little cold flu.

Being outside in the sun & in a chlorinated pool also provides another layer of protection for you & your child.

It was a crazy summer in 2020 & we have learned a lot. Swimmers we need to continue with our swimming & getting our young ones in to learn this life skill that is very much needed.

Now call up your local swim school or private swim instructor & get you or your child going this summer. The one thing I can guarantee for sure is your child will come down with the bad case of EXCITEMENT!

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I always get the question, “Should your swim instructor have a WSI? Well what is a WSI? A WSI is short for water safety instructor.

Water Safety Instructor certification focuses on preparing candidates to teach the Red Cross Swim programs, it teaches candidates to introduce & develop fitness activities, skills & water safety & swimming skills in several Red Cross programs.

Can a swim instructor still teach without one?

Why yes of course! A WSI does not make you a good instructor, nor does obtaining one make you one either. It is an instruction book for others to teach or instruct others on how to swim.

A WSI may be required if you are working at a facility. Whether it be the YMCA, community pool, etc. Although depending on what pool you are working at they may also require you to attend their training’s and sessions, and it may be required of you if you will be associated with a well-known swimming organization.

Certifications are available, but it is up to the facility whether or not they are required.

Now contrary to popular belief, to be able to teach someone how to swim, you must know how to swim yourself.

You must be able to deliver basic instruction. In time the instructor will develop a personal technique, a technique that works for many.

They are open minded and know that not every person learns the same, so they should be able to accommodate different learning styles. Visual & audible for example. And know that learning a life skill in the water may take longer for each individual.

So should you pick a swim instructor with a WSI?

Well the answer will come with your preference. If you’d like your swim instructor to come prepped with a cookie cutter lesson plan, that does not necessarily cater to you, but everyone, or a swim instructor with many years experience of teaching in the water and adjusts technique, identifies safety skills, and is connected with you/your child/or whomever is being instructed.

Then it is not required, but if it is your preference and important to you then there is nothing wrong with seeking instructors that have them. You may just find them at community pools or swim schools.

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