The Importance of Learning to Swim
According to Royal Life Saving Australia, one in four adults are either unable to swim or lacking confidence as strong swimmers, it’s clear that learning this essential life skill is invaluable at any age. It’s never too early—or too late—to take the plunge.
In this article we will take a look into the benefits of learning to swim, with a focus on baby and toddler swimming
Swimming Benefits
- Life skill that could ultimately save a life
- Great for improving general health
- Boosts mental health
- Accessible to all, irrespective of age and ability
- Can provide bonding opportunities for new babies and their parents
- Can help forge long lasting friendships
- Can open doors to other new hobbies
Life Saver
Swimming is the only sport that can save your life. It is a vital life skill that, once learnt, is never forgotten. It is particularly important if you have pools in your backyard. Information from Kidsafe highlights this: "
"Swimming pools are the most common location for toddler drownings making up 67% of all cases...Children falling into water account for 78% of drownings."
Learning to swim from a young age helps children build water confidence, awareness, and essential skills, preparing them for unexpected situations where they might find themselves out of their depth.
Improves General Health
Swimming’s health benefits are huge. It is one of the few activities that works your whole body, without putting too much impact stress on your joints. It is a great exercise to help with weight loss and according to Ninja Shark swimming can help burn more than double the amount of calories than running:
"On average, a person weighing 155 pounds can burn approximately 300-600 calories per hour...Swimming is a full body-workout that offers the benefits of cardiovascular exercise without putting stress on the joints... On average, a person weighing around 155 pounds can burn roughly 400-700 calories per hour"
This cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen your heart and lungs, which can in turn help reduce the risks of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke
Babies and toddlers also experience health benefits from swimming. Baby Swim School Water Babies explain:
“Studies have also shown that swimming results in increased lung volume, better breathing techniques, strong heart and lung functions, and improved general fitness in little ones who swim in the early years”
They have also noted that swimming from a young age can actually help babies with their balance and can help with their development journey:
“Being in the water helps your baby move independently before they can crawl or walk. It’s a safe place for them to explore their balance, meaning they’ll become a lot more coordinated out of the water too – so less bumps as they learn to stand on their own two feet!”
Mental Health Booster
Swimming is low impact and relaxing and can give you some time on your own away from the stresses of life. The sensation of being in water can relieve stress and the concentration required when swimming focuses your mind and helps you forget outside worries.
As with other aerobic exercise, swimming also stimulates the release of endorphins, the "feel-good" hormone, which leads to a general feeling of happiness and relaxation. Regular swimming has also been found to help contribute to improved sleep quality, which in turn helps to lift mood.
Not only that, but swimming can also be a great way to meet like minded people. Whether you join a water aerobics class, a swim team or just chat with others at the pool, this social interaction can really help to boost mental health.
Accessible to All
Swimming is a sport that is accessible to all. Babies, children, adults and the elderly all enjoy swimming as a way to relax and/or keep fit, as well as those with disabilities who may struggle with other sporting activites. The buoyancy of water aids in supporting body weight, offering a sense of freedom for those with limited mobility. Talking to Wheelpower, Paralympic medallist and world champion swimmer Matthew Whorwood concurs, saying:
“Swimming is great because it’s non-impact and a good way to get fit without risking injury. Also, once you’re in the pool you’re the same as everyone else, any physical disabilities are irrelevant.”
And now with a growing variety of swimwear designed for both children and adults with disabilities, swimming has become more inclusive than ever before.
Bonding Time
Swimming is the perfect opportunity for some baby bonding time. In the water, your baby gets your full attention as well as lots of skin-to-skin time and plenty of eye contact. Baby swimming classes will help to guide this time together, so you both get the most from you time in the water. Perth swim school Aquanat emphasises this:
"Being safely held by an attuned parent, adding the sensation of skin touches skin and heart close to heart, provides a deep sense of belonging that resembles the safety and warmth of the womb. It thus creates a unique and enjoyable experience between parent and baby"
Swimming not only promotes quality bonding time between parents and their babies but also helps parents and carers form new friendships within the class. These connections often continue beyond the baby swimming sessions.
New Opportunities
Learning to swim is just the beginning of the journey. Being a competent swimmer can open doors to new hobbies that are only accessible if you can swim. Activities such as open water swimming, surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding have become extremely popular hobbies for both children and adults over recent years. Teaching children to swim from a young age makes these activities possible, and leads to the development of new friendships and skills.
In Conclusion
The benefits of swimming are substantial. First and foremost, being able to swim significantly reduces the risk of drowning, and attending lessons can equip you with skills to assist others in trouble. Additionally, swimmers of all ages and abilities enjoy various health benefits, while swim classes for babies can support physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Learning to swim opens the door to new adventures and opportunities.
