When I was growing up, I was lucky enough to go to an elementary with a swimming pool. So once every couple of weeks, our class would get the chance to swim during the school day as part of our “Specials” curriculum. One week it would be art, the next gym, then music, and then we would have swimming at last! I have fond of memories of diving into the water with my classmates, playing “Sharks and Minnows” and learning to enjoy the water at a very young age. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized this wasn’t the norm for most kids. I didn’t know anyone my age who couldn’t swim until I went to college. But it was then I realized when I had children of my own I wanted them to be comfortable around water, not only for their safety but so they could jump in (pun intended) to life without fear.
Of course, living in San Antonio and Cancun, we are around water much more often than I was in my pre-elementary days. We have a neighborhood pool, our friends’ have pools, and when we’re in Mexico the girls are at the beach with us constantly. So out of necessity I realized my girls needed to get their feet wet (again, pun totally intended), a bit earlier than I did. And I wasn’t going to wait around to see if their elementary school would offer the same amenities that mine did. So the timing turned out to be perfect when SafeSplash Swim School reached out to see if Cora and Issa would like to try out lessons with their highly trained instructors.
I signed them both up immediately using SafeSplash’s quick and painless process via telephone. We found a location just 15 minutes from our house (most schools are located inside L.A. Fitness gyms), and worked out a class schedule that would have Cora in her age-appropriate class, and still allow Orlando or I to be in the water with Issa for her class. As it turned out, there wasn’t a class open for Cora right away, so the helpful representative on the line made a few quick adjustments and opened one up for her right then and there! I should note that at no point in this process, whether on the phone or at the class, did I tell anyone with SafeSplash that I was doing a review as part of their mom blogger program. I wasn’t getting special treatment, it turns out they’re just that awesome.
Cora’s class was much more focused on actual swimming techniques, whereas Issa’s class was all about getting her used to the water. It totally made sense for each of their ages though, and it was so much fun to see how they both progressed over the quick four weeks. Cora started swimming underwater, diving for rings and using her arms and legs to truly swim. Issa was SO not loving being on her back at first, but slowly got used to it and even started blowing bubbles in the water at our last class! For just over a year old, I know she’s at a tough spot where she’s aware enough to be nervous, but too young to really explain to her what’s happening. The instructors were so well-equipped with techniques and tricks up their sleeves, though, that it helped tremendously.
Cora learned the “Monkey, Airplane, Soldier” technique for moving her arms, where she acted like a monkey with her arms at her chest, then out like an airplane, and finally straight at her sides like a soldier. If I would have tried to teach her to swim on my own I never would have thought of such a clever teaching tool. It helped her instantly understand how she needed to maneuver her arms to swim in a simple and effective way. For Issa, it was all about one of their rubber duck toys that the instructor would toss out in front of her, hide behind her back, and all sorts of fun games to get her splashing and learning without even realizing it.
Perhaps the best part of class was the chance for both Orlando and I to get in with the girls and be a part of the experience. We each had our own turns to jump in while the other supervised from the pool deck, and I think the girls liked having each of us there as well. It was a great way to kick off our Saturday mornings with swim class, and Cora couldn’t wait to go every time. SafeSplash has classes for any schedule, though, and I loved that they were so flexible for busy parents and families. They also have locations all over the country, and their system is organized and perfectly executed.
Overall, it was an immensely enjoyable experience for our entire family, and I’m so amazed how much our girls were able to learn! The relief you feel as a parent when you know your child can be around water safely is honestly worth every. single. penny. We may have discovered SafeSplash as a blogging family, but now I would recommend them to anyone!
Have you done swim lessons with your little ones yet? At what age did you start? Let me know in the comments!
XO,
A
P.S. We received complimentary classes with SafeSplash in exchange for this review. Don’t worry though, all opinions are our own!
