🏊♂️🌊 Let's Dive into a Lifetime Skill: Learn to Swim! 🌊🏊♀️
As the temperature rises and summer approaches, I want to talk to you about something close to my heart: swimming. In our desert city, where water might seem scarce, it's crucial that we equip our children with the invaluable skill of swimming and water safety.
I remember the days when my kids were learning to swim. It wasn't just about having fun in the pool; it was about instilling in them the ability to rescue themselves and stay safe in the water. I made sure they wore life vests until they demonstrated their self-rescue skills, and it brought me tremendous peace of mind.
Today, I want to encourage you all to prioritize swimming lessons for your children, as well as for yourselves if you haven't learned yet. There are incredible resources available in our community that can help us in this endeavor. They offer swimming lessons catered to different age groups and skill levels. Their dedicated instructors will guide you or your children through the learning process, ensuring confidence and competence in the water.
In particular, I want to highlight the ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) coaches. They specialize in teaching infants and young children essential aquatic survival skills. ISR emphasizes a self-rescue program, empowering our little ones with the ability to navigate and survive unexpected water situations. It's a remarkable approach that can save lives.
It's vital to ditch floaties like puddle jumpers.
When children rely on flotation devices, they learn to stay vertical in the water, thinking that's how they can get air. But all it takes is one slip, fall, or a reach for a toy, and they can end up in a dangerous position, struggling to stay afloat. That's not swimming, and it's a risk we should avoid.
Let's get our children skilled in swimming. They have the capability to navigate and problem solve independently in the water, a valuable piece of information I wish I knew earlier. Just as a child needs to learn to walk without a walker, they need to learn to swim without floaties.
We ditched the puddle jumpers because they position the kids wrongly, promoting a vertical stance in the water. Instead, consider using life vests with adult supervision at arm's length. However, the ultimate safety comes from knowing how to self-rescue and having proper swimming skills.
Moreover, mark your calendars for June when Wet N Wild hosts the world's largest swimming lesson. It's a fantastic opportunity for individuals of all ages to come together and learn the basics of swimming in a fun and supportive environment.
When you visit water parks, make sure to utilize the red life vests available in kid sizes and larger sizes. Remember, it's always better to be safe, and these life vests can provide an added layer of protection while your loved ones enjoy the water.
Here's a list of places in El Paso that offer swimming lessons:
YMCA
Our new swim lesson program has eight (8) stages.
Sessions- All classes are set up in eight (8) 30 or 40 minute classes.
YWCA
offers private and group swim lessons!No matter what the swim level, we have an instructor who can help you or your child achieve greater confidence and skill in the water. YWCA offers class-based lessons for infants, toddlers, and youth at all four branches. In addition, private and semi-private lessons are offered for a more personalized learning experience.
ISR
Children from 6 months to 6 years of age learn how to use Infant Swimming Resource’s Self-Rescue skills to save themselves.
El Paso County
We're halfway through summer, and it's never too late to learn to swim! We are excited to partner with the YMCA of El Paso to bring our community Safe Secure Swimmers, swimming lessons for ages 6 months to 12 years.
City of El Paso
Learn-to-Swim programs such as Parent & Baby, Preschool, Level 1-6, Adult Basics, and Splashball cover the knowledge and skills needed for aquatic skill development.
Socorro ISD
Learning to swim is an essential life skill. Children will learn the fundamentals of each competitive swimming stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). Floating, rhythmic breathing, stroke and kick techniques will be covered as the child advances through the course. Our mission is to make every lesson safe and fun. Swimming lessons could be a lifesaver!
Fort Bliss MWR
The purpose of Parent and Child Aquatics is to teach safe behaviors in, on and around the water and to develop swimming readiness.
El Paso Olympians!
2023 Swim Lessons There will be two two-week sessions. Lessons will run Monday through Thursday with Friday being a make-up day if needed. The first session will run June 12th through June 22nd. The second session will run June 26th through July 6th. Times will be 10:00-10:30, 10:30-11:00 and 11:00-11:30.
Palacios PRIVATE
Swim Lesson Far Eastside
Over 20 years of swim coaching experience.
Cardenas PRIVATE
He has taught us and is fantastic! He is also the Head Coach of the Fighting Frogs summer swim team.
Aquatic Adventures
Swim Lesson Eastside
Kilkenny Community Pool
We have a wide Varity of Classes, ranging from beginner Swimming lessons to Advance and PADI Professional Level Scuba Courses!
5 Star Divers
Our instruction courses are designed to fully prepare students for all aspects of diving.
El Paso Dive Group
With the additions of our “School” and retail location, the goal is to have a very enjoyable learning experience and offer needed equipment for our scuba lifestyle at an affordable, realistic price.
WETT Swim Teams
The WETT Swim Club is one of the finest and most unique swim organizations in the city of El Paso. WETT is a year round competitive swim team registered with USA Swimming and the Border Swimming Association.
USA Swimming Teams
Find one of 2,500 USA Swimming teams in your area to join the competitive side of the sport (indicated by red pins on the map), or one of 1,500 swim lesson providers to learn to swim (indicated by blue pins on the map).
If you know of any other places offering swimming lessons in our community, please let me know so that we can expand this list and help even more people.
Together, let's ensure that our children have the skills to rescue themselves and enjoy the water safely. Learning to swim is not just about having fun; it's a lifelong skill that brings confidence, joy, and most importantly, safety.
Please share this message with your friends and family, and let's make El Paso a city of strong swimmers!
