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Original poster

When to stop swimming lessons

37 replies

user63214 · 29/09/2024 13:27

DD really doesn't like swimming but she has managed to get to level 4 now. She can swim 50 metres unaided. I know this isn't enough to stop swimming lessons but I am unsure either to take her out now and then just take her to family swim and I will teach her. Or if she should at least get to level 5 and learn all her strokes?

Every week is becoming a battle but don't want to take her out too soon. Interested to know what other think/ have done.

OP posts:

IAmASpoon · 29/09/2024 16:36

My child is in stage 5 and has started learning how to save someone who is drowning, which I think is an important thing to learn. So swimming in clothes etc.

Maybe you could take a break from lessons for a bit and then resume again?

Jigsawpuzzled · 29/09/2024 16:37

We stopped at the end of stage 6 (or as near as we could get to the end for youngest as they don't let them do the last task until there's space in the stage up). After s6 the lessons where we go aren't anything new they're just about building up to the swim team which mine aren't interested in. We do swim as a family though on holiday as our holiday home has a pool so they're both strong and confident swimmers, I think when they stop you need to make sure they keep up some practice

ridingfreely · 29/09/2024 16:41

I have just let DD7 quit lessons. Our swim school doesn't follow the same levels as most seem to mention however she can swim front crawl (hasn't the breathing technique fully nailed though) confident on back stroke and breast stroke basics. She can float , swim at least 100 metres without stopping and has fortnightly lessons as primary school has a pool.

The battle to get her somewhere weekly that she doesn't enjoy was taking a toll. I'm happy that she is safe and can swim with supervision but doesn't not need an adult in the pool directly with her

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Lampzade · 29/09/2024 16:48

My DCs all went up to level 10. I was determined that all my DCs would be confident swimmers. It was non negotiable.
They then joined the swim club and dd2 used to swim for our local team
However, I took them swimming for leisure which was probably more useful than the lessons in terms of water confidence.
Op, I would continue with the swimming but get some one to one lessons . I would also take her swimming for fun every other week where she can just play in the slides or splash around. This may remove some of the pressure.

notacooldad · 29/09/2024 16:55

My aim was for the boys to be water confident and be able to enjoy themselves at holiday camps with pools and water slides.

They past that point and I let them continue with it until they were bored with lessons. Ds1 was particularly good and was asked to join the swimming club. However he declined ( I was pleased he did)
As teens and now adults ds1 won't swim in the sea or anywhere outdoors but swims at the leisure centre several times week but the other one hasn't set foot in leisure center in years but loves the sea.

Original poster

user63214 · 29/09/2024 17:25

Thanks all I think I am going to keep going abit longer (until level 5 at least) then reassess. Going to start taking her to family swim aswell and see how she is me.

She has been very up and down with swimming. At first she hated it and was petrified of her face getting wet. It took a while but she eventually began to swim without aids and up until level 3 she seemed to enjoy it/did not mind going. Since moving up to level 4 it all seems quite serious and stamina is definitely an issue. She came out the pool recently saying she felt like she was drowning as she felt so tired. Her teacher had been telling her to swim faster I could tell she was tired but didn't appear to me or the teacher to be struggling. She is now saying she doesn't want to go back. I do wonder if she would be better staying at level 3 for longer.

OP posts:

Gertrudetheadelie · 29/09/2024 17:34

My dad watched two men drown when he was younger because one jumped in to save another. Both men died. The former jumped in saying he was a strong swimmer. He wasn't stronger than the sea.

I do think it is easy to be overconfident about how much you can do. It's probably better to raise the kid that says 'don't be such a fucking idiot!' when their mate dares them to jump in the British canal after a pint.

Singleandproud · 29/09/2024 17:53

@Gertrudetheadelie which is why rookies is important because it teaches how to rescue someone from dryland, how to get help, and when not to put yourself in danger.

Just being a good swimmer isn't enough.

Gertrudetheadelie · 29/09/2024 18:06

@Singleandproud I can see that (I've just checked out the programme). I think that's the thing really - being able to swim is no guarantee of safety in the water no matter how good you are in the pool and I think it can offer a false confidence to everyone, parent and child alike, to think that it does.

dizzydizzydizzy · 29/09/2024 18:14

Honestly, I think that is good enough. I'm
A lifeguard so I really belief in swimming. Hopefully she will come back to it at a later stageZ.

dizzydizzydizzy · 29/09/2024 18:20

PS DC2 stopped at stage 2, but did go to the pool throughout childhood and was good enough to become a lifeguard at 18

djfjfj · 29/09/2024 18:53

There are no numbered stages here but mine started lessons at age 4 and stopped at 11 and 9. My 9yo was told to stop swimming by his GP, due to continuous issues with his ears. We’d have liked him to continue for another year or so but he is confident swimming in deep water which is the main thing I guess.

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