Is it ok for a child to use flippers when learning to swim?

[Wallace]

Ds (just 4) has been swimming without armbands etc for almost a year, but hasn't been progressing very quickly. He can swim 5 metres easily, maybe a bit further.

He was given some flippers for his birthday and he loves them. He can easily swim 10 metres or more and they make it much easier for him to take a breath.

Any swimming teachers here who might know whether using flippers will help or hinder him in the long run? He doesn't wear them for the whole time we're in the pool.

Thanks.

I'm not a swimming teacher but when DD was taught swimming from 3 years old in Cyprus part of her lesson was with flippers.

This was taught by an ASA teacher BTW not Cypriot.

Anything that assists confidence in the water is ok. They are generally a training tool. Don't worry about it and let him swim with them in addition to conventional swimming.

That's great, thanks, we will keep using them. They help him get underwater more easily as well, he still needs a wee push down but then can easily get himself to the bottom of the deep end.