Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Best swimming aids

64 replies

elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 13:33

3 dc have been invited to a swimming party in a 25 metre normal pool with no slides/wave machine etc but there is an inflatable. Dh is working away and I can't go in the pool because AF is visiting. But it's ok as my dad volunteers to take them. Dc are so excited and the birthday child is all hyped up etc. Then I find out that no other parents are going in the pool, just my dad. Not even the birthday child's parents. I'm a bit uneasy about this tbh but they are so excited I feel really mean about backing out at this point. So does anyone recommend what kind of thing to send them with like arm bands etc for my own peace of mind? I've seen children wear things that look a bit like a life jacket, are they any good? Youngest can't swim, middle one can swim about 5 metres and eldest regularly swims in the river so not worried about him, just the 2 younger ones. I know realistically they will be fine and there are loads of parents who take 3 dc with only one who can swim all the time.

OP posts:
Original poster
elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 19:29

Thank you everyone. My periods are awful so leak through swimming friendly protection unfortunately.

While trying not to give too much detail my dc and the birthday child are at the lower end of junior school age. I had a look at the pool website and it said nothing about non swimmers, just that children under 8 need to have an adult with them. I'm not sure if youngest can stand up at the shallow end as it's not a pool we've been to before. I think they will but only just.

I will look into swimming lessons. Eldest did really well with the school lessons but then covid happened and swimming lessons have only just got going again. I think the younger 2 will need private lessons as well.

OP posts:
ZebraKid71 · 20/03/2023 20:10

If they can't swim and can't stand up in the shallow end there is no way they would be going into those circumstances. I'd be shocked if a swimming pool allowed non swimmers in without an adult.

Original poster
elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 20:20

Thankyou. I'm shocked that they would be allowed in without an adult as well tbh and I certainly wouldn't let even my eldest go swimming without an adult yet.

OP posts:
Longwhiskers · 20/03/2023 20:33

I’m really surprised they’d be allowed in too. At our local which has the giant inflatable course thing they have to be 8+ and a strong swimmer. I’ve also seen the one at the Olympic pool in london where everyone wears a life vest thingy. But even then you y children not allowed on. If be paranoid child would get knocked underneath and get disorientated.

Starlitestarbright · 20/03/2023 20:39

I work at a swimming pool as a teacher no way would we allow kids on an inflatable without a parent in the pool it goes against out ratios especially if they cannot swim.

Pascha · 20/03/2023 20:42

At one local pool children aged 8 and over who want to have a go on the inflatable have to swim the 25m from the deep end to the shallow end without touching side or bottom, then they are given a wristband and let loose on the thing.

Another has a life jacket rule and nobody else other than the inflatable-ees are in the water (so no public).

Honestly having seen the kids on it, it's hard work and really quite treacherous for a poor swimmer.

I wouldn't be letting mine on unless competent swimmers.

FinallyHere · 20/03/2023 21:05

If they can't swim then I wouldn't let them go, sorry.

This.

Do the hosts know that two of their guests are either not confident swimmers or plain can't swim ?

how I can explain to the host without causing offense

If they genuinely have no issue with having non-swimmers at a pool party, then .... I honestly wouldn't want any DC to go.

At least ask them how they plan to deal with non confident swimmers.

Original poster
elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 21:53

The hosts know how well my dc can/can't swim. I know the birthday child can swim but not sure about the other guests. The more I read this thread the more convinced I am that they shouldn't go. I honestly thought I was being too nervous and over protective at first and most parents would let their dc go so it's been really reassuring to know that it's not just me. Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 20/03/2023 22:15

I would ring the pool and ask how deep the shallow end is as it might be one that is graduated so you kind of walk down a slope into the water rather straight into 1.20m deep for example (just a guess cos don't really know how deep an average shallow end is)

That would be slightly safer as the non swimmers would be able to get to where they can stand safely

You might find out other parents are having 2nd thoughts if you ask them

When you and DH go swimming with your non swimming children do they cling to you or do they go off and try to swim doggy paddle

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 20/03/2023 22:21

Actually just realised the non swimmers would not be able to get to the shallow slope if they couldn't swim - so
a stupid comment

sanityisamyth · 20/03/2023 22:22

NoLostCause · 20/03/2023 14:13

If they can't swim then I wouldn't let them go, sorry. Inflatables are hard to lifeguard properly, there are blind spots and so many places they can fall off and get into trouble. Plus I'd be wary of any floatation device - what if they were pushed under a big inflatable by momentum and then because they were being pulled upwards by armbands they couldn't get themselves out from under it properly?

This. They need to learn without armbands or floatation vests. My DS has never worn them.

SkankingWombat · 20/03/2023 22:55

At one local pool children aged 8 and over who want to have a go on the inflatable have to swim the 25m from the deep end to the shallow end without touching side or bottom, then they are given a wristband and let loose on the thing.

This is the rule at the pools near us that offer inflatables too. Over 8s only and must be able to swim 25m, which is tested at the start of the session.
We have been to an outdoor inflatable aqua park (think Total Wipeout) which had an over 6s policy with U12s needing to be accompanied by an adult, but all participants needed to be able to swim 50m for that (which would discount most at the younger end), everyone had a life vest, and there were loads of lifeguards stationed across the inflatables.
I definitely wouldn't be allowing my non-swimming DCs on them even if they had life jackets and an accompanying adult. It was stressful enough at the privately-hired well run aqua park chasing my strong (but young) swimmer DCs around, trying to keep up just in case they did something silly or an accident occurred.

SnowAndFrostOutside · 20/03/2023 23:12

@SkankingWombat the outdoor ones are the only ones I have been to. It’s really hard to swim the distance in wet suit even with a life vest. The clothes are very heavy! It’s easier in an indoor one with only swim suits on.

SkankingWombat · 21/03/2023 07:15

SnowAndFrostOutside · 20/03/2023 23:12

@SkankingWombat the outdoor ones are the only ones I have been to. It’s really hard to swim the distance in wet suit even with a life vest. The clothes are very heavy! It’s easier in an indoor one with only swim suits on.

We didn't find it hard to swim in the wetsuits, although the bulky vests cause a fair adjustment of technique, but we are all good swimmers (the aqua park trip was organised by our swim club).
I'm not sure what your point is though, as these DCs aren't just weaker swimmers, they are non-swimmers. The pool inflatables may be easier to move about on as wearing just a cozzy, but it would still be insane to allow a non-swimmer to take part. There are fewer lifeguards, none of whom are in the water or on the equipment IME (unlike the aqua park), and you need to be able to swim to the inflatable and back to the side again when you fall/jump off. Being comfortable in deep water and able to swim 25m comfortably would be a minimum requirement for me as a parent, and for any reputable pool too.

Just a thought OP, but is it definitely an inflatable party in the main pool? Our local leisure centre does these, but also offers parties in the variable bottom teaching pool with floats and 'inflatables'. They set the depth so the water is at shoulder height on the kids, and the 'inflatables' aren't slides etc but blow up toys.

Bananasinpjamas4567 · 21/03/2023 07:20

This wouldn’t be allowed at my pool. All children under 8 and non swimmers under 18 have to be supervised by an adult on a 1:2 ratio and are not allowed in the inflatable sessions. I can’t imagine the rules are much more different anywhere else. You need to check with the leisure centre as you could end up with some very disappointed children that are asked to leave through no fault of their own.

emmathedilemma · 21/03/2023 07:20

Our local pool has an inflatable obstacle course thing and everyone has to wear a buoyancy aid issued by them but it’s aged 8+ and I’m not sure if they allow non swimmers. Even if they did, I can’t see a non swimmer having much fun, particularly if they’re not confident in the water.

Original poster
elliejjtiny · 21/03/2023 12:20

Thank you everyone. I've not seen the inflatable in real life, only in photos but it's an inflatable obstacle course, only it's wet and slippy so only the most able ninja like kids will get to the end without falling off. When we go swimming normally middle child will attempt to do a few strokes and then put his foot on the floor. Youngest will mainly cling to me or the side but sometimes will attempt to tread water for a bit with his arm bands on, before getting tired and clinging to me or the side again. Tbh I don't think they will enjoy it that much, they just want to go because birthday child has been excitedly talking about it for about 6 months as kids do. I have contacted the pool and am waiting to hear back.

OP posts:
FlounderingFruitcake · 21/03/2023 14:04

Youngest will mainly cling to me or the side but sometimes will attempt to tread water for a bit with his arm bands on, before getting tired and clinging to me or the side again.

No matter what the pool say in response, and forgetting the safety aspect for a second, aren’t you worried that he’ll be teased if his peers see this? Sorry as I don’t want to sound harsh and in an ideal world the kids would be kind to each other but presuming based on your updates that they’re all 8 years old or thereabouts, he will stand out and I’d be concerned about how the others would react.

sanityisamyth · 21/03/2023 16:30

elliejjtiny · 21/03/2023 12:20

Thank you everyone. I've not seen the inflatable in real life, only in photos but it's an inflatable obstacle course, only it's wet and slippy so only the most able ninja like kids will get to the end without falling off. When we go swimming normally middle child will attempt to do a few strokes and then put his foot on the floor. Youngest will mainly cling to me or the side but sometimes will attempt to tread water for a bit with his arm bands on, before getting tired and clinging to me or the side again. Tbh I don't think they will enjoy it that much, they just want to go because birthday child has been excitedly talking about it for about 6 months as kids do. I have contacted the pool and am waiting to hear back.

In these circumstances I wouldn't go. It's not safe and they will feel humiliated when they see their friends swimming like fish.

Sugarfree23 · 21/03/2023 16:37

Op would a combination of tampon and swim wear not do the job?

I'd be surprised if the pool allowed non-swimmers on the inflatable but you could still take the wee ones for a splash about at the shallow end and a ball or something else to play with.

QuillBill · 21/03/2023 16:46

I agree with @FlounderingFruitcake . You can't put an eight year old in a position where he isn't going to be able to participate in the party. He will be miserable. That would be more unfair than him not going in the first place.

I'd use this as a kick up the speedos to get them more confident in the water generally.

LittleBrenda · 21/03/2023 16:49

I'd be surprised if the pool allowed non-swimmers on the inflatable but you could still take the wee ones for a splash about at the shallow end and a ball or something else to play with.

I don't think she's got any wee ones has she? Didn't she say her youngest was in junior school?

Sugarfree23 · 21/03/2023 16:52

How old is junior school ?

FlounderingFruitcake · 21/03/2023 16:59

Sugarfree23 · 21/03/2023 16:52

How old is junior school ?

Juniors is 7-11 years old (years 3-6)

OP has also said that the pool has the typical no under 8s unaccompanied rule and that none of the other parents are planning on swimming themselves. So I’m guessing the kids, including her youngest, are Y4 so 8/9 years old.

Sugarfree23 · 21/03/2023 17:06

Em I was thinking younger than that. Scottish so didn't completely ignore the juniors bit. Was thinking 7 maybe 8 at a push.

They must be tall enough to at least stand at the bottom end of the pool. But with covid and stuff they probably aren't the only 8/9yos who can't swim. I'd maybe go for arm bands for them. But I don't think I'd embarrass them by sending in Grampa.