LEARN TO SWIM WITH SWIMATHON
Learning to swim can be a daunting challenge for anyone, especially for young children. Whether your child is reigniting their love for swimming after numerous lockdowns, or they are challenging themselves to try something new, swimming is a great way to promote enjoyable exercise while also benefiting from a large range of health benefits.
Swim England have compiled some tips and advice for both you and your child(red) to best prepare for your Swimathon 2023 challenge and beyond!
5 Top tips to help your children face the water:
Get wet! - Start by getting your feet wet and try to gradually get deeper into the water. When you reach a depth where you can comfortably stand, splash some water on your face as if you are washing it. This will prepare you for the next step!
Next, submerge your head below the water while holding your breathe. Then, try to breathe out and blow bubbles into the water.
Once you’ve mastered those steps, either grab a float or just the side of the pool and stretch your body out into the pool and practice kicking your legs. Try not to splash too much!
Now, bring it all together. While still holding onto your float or the side of the pool, submerge your head into the water again and start kicking your legs. All these steps are the fundamental of any swimming stroke.
Enjoy it! Remember, everybody is different and some people learn quicker than others. The most important thing is that you enjoy it and take a break if you need one.
Everyone needs to start somewhere, and hopefully with these tips, along with help from friends and family, we will build up your confidence and transform you into the next Michael Phelps in no time!
Challenge your family to Swimathon!
Did you know you can enter the Swimathon 2023 challenge as a team? What better way to practice your swimming skills than as a team where everyone can participate, and swim whatever distance you desire while also contributing towards the team goal.
We’ve come up with 5 reasons why you should rally your troops, no matter how young or old, and enter Swimathon 2023 as one fabulous team.
Five benefits of completing Swimathon 2023 as a team:
Set your own goals – whether you and your team are attending one of our amazing venues on the Swimathon weekend or are completing the virtual MySwimathon challenge, the distance that you want to swim is totally in your control.
Everyone can take part – because the distance that you want to swim is chosen by you, it allows people of all ages and ability to take part.
No distance is too short – for the youngster in your team, why not set them a SMART target to achieve while still contributing to the overall intended distance? A great start would be for U16’s to swim 10,15 or 25m and then for the older team members to split the rest of the distance between themselves.
Five in a team – you can have up to 5 team members per Swimathon team, meaning the distance can be evenly divided depending on age and ability. This also means people can take breaks when they need to and rejoin the challenge when they feel ready.
A sense of achievement – all these factors about joining the Swimathon challenge produce a sense of accomplishment for all team members. For the u16’s in your group that may have completed their first 50m or the even younger team members who just swam without a float for the first time, all while fundraising money for two amazing charities.
U16’s GO FREE
Remember, U16’s can attend Swimathon 2023 for free when they sign up before January 31st so now is a better time than any to get your trunks and costumes on and get signed up! Use the link below to register today!
ENTER TODAY!