Feeling pretty crap that Ds can't swim.

[Usernumber37374737985]

Ds just turned 11 cannot swim.

he actually loves water, which worries me as worried he'll just jump in one day. But he does have a good knowledge of deep water, rivers, the ocean etc. We live on the coast which worries me more.

he's had swimming lessons at school but of course 2 years missed due to covid. We haven't been able to find him suitable lessons locally , he wouldn't manage a group lesson.

we've took him swimming quite a lot.

it just hasn't come naturally to him.

anyone else??

I keep looking out for 1:1 lessons but seems limited where I live.

any advice?

Is there a reason you didnt think he would manage group lessons? That's how most kids learn.

School lessons aren't really enough to learn to swim properly, it takes years of proper lessons. Children don't really just "pick it up", it is something they have to be taught.

I think he would get too distracted, he struggles to follow instructions with lots going on. He has had 1:1 support at school too.

of course, we could try but I feel at his age they would been a group with younger children which would trigger him.

1:1 seems the right solution. The swim school near us has no space and there really isn't much around 😪

I agree, school swimming isn't great!

hoping to take him lots in the summer holidays and see how it goes. He gets the idea on how to swim, he just can't do it...

*ps sorry I mean a specific reason - is it struggling with peers, noise, learning difficulties etc?

In some areas there are teachers/groups who specialise in teaching swimming for kids with additional needs but I think it depends what your child struggles with

You could try private messaging teachers directly if you can ask around for contact details. If you can explain his struggles someone might make a private arrangement for you.

At 11 I agree now most groups of beginners would be much younger (they are mostly 4/5/6 where I live, occasionally as old as 7 but not often).

If nowhere has space now, at least get him on a waiting list, something will come up eventually.

Thank you. I will do some more research tomorrow. I've found a lady who does 1:1 swim lessons now but she only does it on a weekday in school times which is no good - unless he did it in the school holidays as a short term thing 🤷‍♀️

Where do you live, OP? Are there any disability swimming clubs near you DS could join.
Swim England can probably tell you.

My DS (8) struggles with coordination due to ASD etc. We joined a club for SEND children and 10 months later he's just got his 10m badge. He can swim underwater, on his back and is basically part-dolphin now. Regular swimming lessons didn't work for him. Teachers didn't understand his needs and the pace of instruction was too fast....

I was worried about my dd doing swimming lessons. I took the plunge and put her in my local leisure centre
Luckily the lesson I put them in was empty as was new and the swim manager capped the class so no other kids can join and this will happen when she progresses too.