Floatation aids for children who can already swim a bit - what do I need?

[AwesomeAvocado]

We’re travelling to Europe this summer and staying in some Center Parcs style resorts. Apparently they’re strict on children who aren’t good swimmers wearing flotation aids in all the pools.

DS (9) is reasonably water confident but couldn’t pass his 25m badge quite yet which is basically the standard they are looking for. He’s outraged at the notion of having to wear armbands (“babyish” apparently) and I can only imagine they’ll impede his progress towards actually swimming properly.

What kind of floatation aid should I be looking for that’s suitable for a 9 year old who can swim ok who actually wants to improve his swimming and not bob about?

[Newyeardietstartstomorrow]

Would a floatation vest be any good for him?

[Newyeardietstartstomorrow]

Would a floatation vest be any good for him?

[Hellocatshome]

A swim fin? It straps to their back and looks like a shark fin but keeps their body in the correct position for swimming.

[Spudlet]

DS is a couple of years younger than yours but he’s just started using a fin-shaped float that straps onto his back around his chest and stomach, and it really helps with his confidence. Would one of those be acceptable?

[Monkeytapper]

Swimfin , Amazon

[Jamhamlamb]

Get him down the local pool to practice before you go. Get him up to scratch

[2reefsin30knots]

A small buoyancy aid would probably be best.

https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/2023-crewsaver-junior-response-50n-buoyancy-aid-black-2601j-p-22380.html

[Piony]

They always used to have big racks of float vest things up. You just help yourself.

Don't know if they still do post-covid. We thought they were good though.

[Hellocatshome]

@2reefsin30knots

A small buoyancy aid would probably be best.

https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/2023-crewsaver-junior-response-50n-buoyancy-aid-black-2601j-p-22380.html

It will be pretty impossible to actually improve your swimming wearing one of these as it is designed to keep you vertical in the water not horizontal

[2reefsin30knots]

Ah, yes, I missed the bit about wanting to improve not just bob about. In my head holiday swimming = bobbing about.

I don't like those fins though.

[dementedpixie]

A swim noodle?
Kickboard/swimming float?

[BanditsOnTheHorizon]

We bought a float that attaches to the back like a small backpack. It means that the arms aren't restricted either

[Cantthinkofaname2203]

Think about those swim fins for a sec…or anything else that straps to the back

your child gets tired or has an accident, those things will force them to float face down in the water.

pool noodles are best but I don’t know if they’d pass centreparcs standard. Hold off and buy out there?

[Fresh01]

Watch if they are wearing a floatation vest in a swimming pool and jumping in and out. One of our children jumped in head first and it held them vertical but their head was under water and feet were in the air. Her dad was next her so immediately turned her the right way up.

They are designed to keep a child vertical whilst paddling about, they are not a proper life jacket, like you would wear boating, where there is a collar designed to keep the head out of the water.

We found the shark fins great for improving confidence in their actual swimming.

[AwesomeAvocado]

@Jamhamlamb

Get him down the local pool to practice before you go. Get him up to scratch

He swims twice a week (lesson + family visit) so may be “up to scratch” by summer but he’s been quite slow to progress so I’m not counting my chickens.

[CatsOnTheChair]

Fins are best for actually swimming, but for slides and the like I'd think they would be a nuisance.
I'd go for a vest/jacket thing - ideally one that has variable floatation levels so you can adjust to his skill at the time.

[SkankingWombat]

@Cantthinkofaname2203

Think about those swim fins for a sec…or anything else that straps to the back

your child gets tired or has an accident, those things will force them to float face down in the water.

pool noodles are best but I don’t know if they’d pass centreparcs standard. Hold off and buy out there?

We used to have a fin for DCs. You can float on your back on it too or even maintain an upright position. They're really good. Obviously if there is an accident DC is unconscious, nothing but a life jacket would stop them from drowning (although weak swimmers should be kept within eye sight and at a quickly-reached distance).

I would invest in more pool time TBH. I know they are currently going twice a week, but maybe invest in a couple of 1-2-1s or book a crash course over half term?

[pumpkintart]

If you are going to Centreparcs Europe they have float vests that they insist non swimmers use or an equal alternative. They don't really do arm bands

[AwesomeAvocado]

Swimfin looks interesting- though maybe not the best for slides!

Maybe he could swap between a fin and a float vest?

though if anyone can recommend a suitable float vest for swimming that would be great!

[Fresh01]

Float vests are usually done by weight of the child. We had ones there were polystyrene blocks in it, that you could remove them from the inside. You do need to remove blocks evenly from around the vest to make sure they float level.

[AwesomeAvocado]

I’ve just seen this which looks interesting…like a swimfin but maybe a bit less restrictive for messing around.

https://www.aqua-plane.co.uk/

[polkadotdalmation]

Puddle jumpers are great for non swimmers and very safe.

[AwesomeAvocado]

@polkadotdalmation

Puddle jumpers are great for non swimmers and very safe.

Haha not a chance he’d swear one of those, he’d rather sit on the side and sulk.

[AwesomeAvocado]

I would invest in more pool time TBH. I know they are currently going twice a week, but maybe invest in a couple of 1-2-1s or book a crash course over half term?

I’m hoping he might be there by summer but I’m reading various reviews from indignant parents who though their children could swim well enough but then they had to wear armbands because they couldn’t demonstrate their swimming to quite the required stroke standard. Had no idea this was a thing to be honest!

[SkankingWombat]

@AwesomeAvocado

I would invest in more pool time TBH. I know they are currently going twice a week, but maybe invest in a couple of 1-2-1s or book a crash course over half term?

I’m hoping he might be there by summer but I’m reading various reviews from indignant parents who though their children could swim well enough but then they had to wear armbands because they couldn’t demonstrate their swimming to quite the required stroke standard. Had no idea this was a thing to be honest!

How far through which Swim England stage is he currently?