Any point in swimming lessons once they know how to swim?

[lljkk]

So many threads about when to start swimming lessons, but how do you know when to stop?

We just started DS (5) on swimming lessons. We already used to go 2-3x/month, so he already could just about keep himself afloat when in over his head. Now with tuition he's improving lots, hopefully soon we will feel able to take our eyes off him when he's in the water, esp. over his head. Not worry so much if he accidentally falls in a pond or somesuch.

But how long would you continue to send him to lessons for? I can't imagine him learning a 'stroke' until he's 9-10 (?maybe older?), so is there any point in lessons between 6yo & 9-10yo?

[milliways]

My DD kept going through the swimmimng scheme & got her gold Personal safety badge + 1500m badge before she was 10. She then did Rookie Lifeguarding for a bit, & will resume at 16 when can get a qualification. DS is 9 & not as advanced (Year off with broken leg) but hopes to get his Gold before leaving primary school. He also does Diving.
They were doing good stroke work from age 6, but i DO get annoyed when spending ages on butterfly - what's the point?

[lljkk]

What if they hadn't gone to lessons all those years, but just started going again at age 9-10. How quick could they have picked up safety badges and certificates and things without going all those years, I wonder?

It's great you can afford it & they enjoy it so much but I think I have to think more carefully about the cost-benefits trade-offs.

[Posey]

Dd did an intensive course at 6 (30mins daily for 10 days) to "learn to swim". Then she carried on with weekly lessons in a group of up to 10 children. They progress into different groups, so up to 10m, 10-25m, 25-100m 100-400m, 400+. Dd has a lot of input on style, breathing, etc and just today, at 7y 9m she has just done her 100m badge. Wonderful style and so much confidence in the water. This from a child who 18 months ago would not put her face in the water and couldn't swim a stroke. She is happy jumping in the deep end, I'm confident if she should fall in a river, she would stand a reasonable chance of saving herself.
Its all quite a social thing too, as she loves to swim with friends. Despite all this, she has no desire to do club swimming.
I wholeheartedly recommend carrying on. I don't know what you pay. Our lessons cost £31 for a block of 10, and they carry on in the holidays when everything else stops!

[milliways]

Agree with the stamina. My DD will never be a sprinter, but is on cross country team, + basketball, netball, badminton & tennis teams. Prior to secondary school only did dancing (till about age 10) & swimming. Now at secondary school the sports are free!

[binkie]

Not just stamina - if you have an extra big lunky unco-ordinated 5 yo (like me) swimming is apparently one of the best ways to keep their motor control (them neural pathways) in step with their growth. Ds's swimming teacher went so far as to say with a child as big as mine swimming (or something similarly physically disciplined) was essential. I do notice that after lessons he's like a machine that's been oiled and tightened up.

So presumably it's equally good for neat little efficient bodies too (if yours is one of those).

Also confidence.

[Enid]

dd1 is 5 and is learning proper strokes. Then you can go on to dive etc.

Her swimming instructor says that lots of kids drop it when they get to about 6.

[binkie]

oh yes, on strokes, ds is learning the crawl, seems quite usual to teach that around 5

[Enid]

dd1 learning breaststroke - hilarious, she can't really get it