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Original poster

Sea swimming for 9 & 11 year olds who are level 4 & 5 in pool grades?

34 replies

Stellanotbud · 13/04/2023 08:55

My dc are level 4 & 5 in their swimming lessons. I'm very nervous about letting them swim in the sea. How strong as swimmers or what level. do they have to be to swim safely in the sea?

OP posts:
Magaluf · 13/04/2023 08:57

Depends on so many factors- which sea? How well do you know it? Is it designated for swimming? Time of year?

PuttingDownRoots · 13/04/2023 09:00

Swimming or playing? Within depth, close to an adult, lifeguarded beach would be different to trying to practice their strokes on a windy day.

OutDamnedSpot · 13/04/2023 09:00

What do you mean by ‘swim’? Mine have never really swam in the sea, they more sort of run towards it, shriek a bit, run away, jump some waves, paddle…

Any child can do that (under close supervision). If you mean really swim, then I have no idea. I’m not sure if seen any child do that at a beach 😂

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Ifyoudreamofsanddunes · 13/04/2023 09:01

My children are level 5 and 7. We live by beaches so live in the water in the summer months. They can swim great in a pool but the sea is completely different, for that reason I have the nipple rule - don't go in deeper than your nipples. This means they can swim along the length of the beach and bob about but can ALWAYS touch the bottom. I'd say I'm a pretty laid back parent with most things but you don't mess with the sea.

Original poster
Stellanotbud · 13/04/2023 09:02

Yes swim out maybe 5 meters & back😁 just thinking ahead to our holidays in Spain. I have a fear of the sea.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stellanotbud · 13/04/2023 09:04

Ifyoudreamofsanddunes · 13/04/2023 09:01

My children are level 5 and 7. We live by beaches so live in the water in the summer months. They can swim great in a pool but the sea is completely different, for that reason I have the nipple rule - don't go in deeper than your nipples. This means they can swim along the length of the beach and bob about but can ALWAYS touch the bottom. I'd say I'm a pretty laid back parent with most things but you don't mess with the sea.

Yes that's exactly what I mean the sea is completely different. When we go to the beach they usually just jump around but now their pool swimming is improving I was wondering about the sea!

OP posts:
Dodgeitornot · 13/04/2023 09:04

Are you planning on taking them open water swimming? Or just the beach?

The stages are a national framework but realistically each swim school sets their own standards so their level can be really varied. My DD did a learn to swim course with our swim club that followed the stages, but when she finished stage 7 and tried out for the squad, external kids from the council pools also joined. They had all finished stage 7 and we're told they're done. I couldn't believe how badly they swam. They were all put in either stage 4 or 5 of the clubs learn to swim programme. It's the same framework but obviously different places hold different standards, so although you've given stages, it's hard to tell.
Regardless, no one should really ever go open water swimming without supervision, even strong adult swimmers. Anything can happen and many drowning victims are strong swimmers. Go to a beach with lifeguards, swim between the flags and keen an eye on them, they'll be ok.
Swimming in a pool will help much more with actual swimming skills though.

Xrays · 13/04/2023 09:06

I would never let my kids - of any swimming ability - swim in the sea. Paddle yep, but swim no. Too many dodgy currents, unseen dangers etc. Too risky.

PuttingDownRoots · 13/04/2023 09:07

For your holiday...

  1. Always be able to stand up
  2. No inflatables
  3. Follow the shoreline not go out to sea
  4. Always stay within sight of a parent.
  5. Bright t shirt and shorts so you can see them easily.
Xrays · 13/04/2023 09:08

Ifyoudreamofsanddunes · 13/04/2023 09:01

My children are level 5 and 7. We live by beaches so live in the water in the summer months. They can swim great in a pool but the sea is completely different, for that reason I have the nipple rule - don't go in deeper than your nipples. This means they can swim along the length of the beach and bob about but can ALWAYS touch the bottom. I'd say I'm a pretty laid back parent with most things but you don't mess with the sea.

The ground of the sea can be really uneven. Just because they are up to their nipples or whatever in one bit doesn’t mean it’s like that all the way along. They could suddenly find themselves above a deep hole and unable to touch the group, and then it only takes one wave or change of current to pull them out.

Original poster
Stellanotbud · 13/04/2023 09:08

Xrays · 13/04/2023 09:06

I would never let my kids - of any swimming ability - swim in the sea. Paddle yep, but swim no. Too many dodgy currents, unseen dangers etc. Too risky.

Thanks xray that was my gut instinct too just wanted to check.

OP posts:
Xrays · 13/04/2023 09:10

Stellanotbud · 13/04/2023 09:08

Thanks xray that was my gut instinct too just wanted to check.

Show quote history

I just think it’s one thing that isn’t worth the risk. You can still enjoy the sea / beach without swimming in it. (We live fairly close to the sea and it’s my favourite place). Every year we have so many stories on the news about people having to be rescued when they’ve been swept out to sea.

OutDamnedSpot · 13/04/2023 09:18

If you’re thinking about holiday swimming, choose a beach with lifeguards and a flag system, make it clear they are NEVER to go into the sea without supervision (at 9 and 11 that can be you on the beach) and that if they do get into trouble they should turn onto their backs and float, and make a lot of noise!

Newuser82 · 13/04/2023 09:20

My 10 year old has swum a few times in the sea but it was worrying me so I no longer let him do it. I say as high as his waist and no higher. I just don't think it's worth the risk with currents etc.

2bazookas · 13/04/2023 09:22

I learnt to swim in the sea. Our kids swam in the sea (and rivers) as soon as they could swim without aids, a width of the pool; our GC the same. Since they were about 9 or 10 they swim in lochs all winter in wetsuits. There is always an adult strong swimmer in the water with them for swimming.

Starlitestarbright · 13/04/2023 09:22

Im a swimming teacher swimming in the sea is totally different to a pool, you have currents, no access to the side to grab on. I wouldn't let a stage 4 or 5 swim out in the sea unattended. That's how kids get into danger due to over confidence.

Zola1 · 13/04/2023 09:25

Mine aren't allowed past waist deep without an adult in touching distance.

Triffid1 · 13/04/2023 09:27

A blanket "no swimming in the sea" rule is ridiculous as there are just too many variables.

Your younger one I would say should only be in relatively shallow water and with an adult in arms reach at all time. The older one will depend. However I would not allow any child to swim alone in the sea but with an adult, in calm, warm seas, ds is 11 amd stage 6 and I would have no problem with him and I swimming in the sea together. We have been at the beach recently and he didn't go further out as it was a bit rough so stayed in shallows but didn't need to be in arms length at all times.

Skybluepinky · 13/04/2023 09:29

Unless they were at least age 12 and competent club swimmers (swimming at least 5 sessions a week) a strong adult swimmer would need to be in there supervising.

FlickyCrumble · 13/04/2023 09:31

You go in the water with them and stand facing the sand. Your children play or swim in front of you. Grade 4 is barely swimming so never leave them in the water alone. Water level up to their bums

titchy · 13/04/2023 09:31

They're not going to want to swim in the sea practising their pizza legs or whatever! They'll jump over the waves, splash about, squeal at the seaweed. Just make sure they can always touch the bottom - shoulders out of the water when they stand up. And depending where you go wear plastic jelly shoes.

pointythings · 13/04/2023 09:32

I've just looked up the stages and wow, have they changed since mine were young. Based on those, stages 4/5 and swimming in the sea is a very hard no from me. Mine were way beyond that at ages 9 and 11, comfortably swimming 300 m plus at any stroke other than butterfly, able to swim underwater, tread water and dive. And even then I wouldn't let them swim in the sea without me in the water with them.

sleepwhenidie · 13/04/2023 09:34

IME kids don’t really swim in the sea they just play as a PP has said.

I think there’s also a distinction between different seas, eg in the Atlantic there can be changeable waves, rip tides etc and you do need to be extremely careful, but it’s not quite the same in the Med where the tides are much quieter. Often they are much calmer and safer, so you won’t have to be quite as concerned about them (not saying it’s perfectly safe of course, just a different beast). Find out what the sea is like where you are going and work from there.

TeenDivided · 13/04/2023 09:36

Nothing wrong with swimming in the sea in a sensible place with lifeguards.
Our rule of thumb was an adult was always in the water supervising and further out / with them.
Yes you should respect the sea, but better to learn how to be sensible with it with parents than jet off somewhere at 17 with friends and swim in the sea for the first time.

BumpyaDaisyevna · 13/04/2023 09:36

My kids swim in sea lakes rivers from up primary years.

They always have their father right there with them (strong swimmer).

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