Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sponsored Q&As

This topic is for Q & As run by Mumsnet. If you'd like to sponsor a Q & A, please email [email protected].

Created with Speedo Swim United

sponsored logo
MNHQ

Share your questions with Olympian Swimmer and dad Adam Peaty - £200 voucher to be won.

109 replies

EllieSmumsnet · 28/03/2023 10:36

Do you want to get your child interested in swimming? Perhaps you are unsure on how to do so? This is your opportunity to ask Olympian Adam Peaty (Speedo Swim United Ambassador) about why swimming is great for your children and how you can help make sure they don’t miss out on this vital and enjoyable life skill.

1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to swim; and it’s only set to get worse. Find out more information here and sign the petition to help children stay safe in the water.

● Anyone that shared a question below by the 02/05/2023 will be eligible for the prize draw.

● Once lucky Mumsnet User will win a £200 Amazon voucher.

● Adam will be back online in a couple of weeks to answer a selection of your questions.

About Adam:
“This isn’t just about or meeting curriculum requirements, it’s about physical and mental health and, most importantly, saving lives and safe-guarding our children.

We need the government to support campaigns and initiatives such as Speedo Swim United if we are to give ourselves the best chance of success in the future”.

About Speedo Swim United:
“Swim United is our commitment to greater equity in the water, through learn to swim programme work, partnerships and communications we are working to help ensure all children can find their joy in the water.

Currently 1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to swim, of which the majority come from socially disadvantaged or ethnic minority backgrounds. At Swim united we’re connected by the shared belief that everyone belongs in the pool.

Our programme supports 7-to-12 year olds and their families to swim, based in some of the communities we know need the most support in England.

Swim United communications feature diverse community of swimmers who stand for inclusion in swimming. Discover Swim United at Speedo UK."

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

This Q&A is now closed.

Share your questions with Olympian Swimmer and dad Adam Peaty - £200 voucher to be won.
DoNutSweatTheSmallStuff · 28/03/2023 21:29

At what level / stage / distance are children classed as swimmers and able to stop lessons?

My DS (10) is at level 5 and can swim 200m.
He doesn't want to be an Olympic swimmer or do competitions or join a club - I just wanted him to get the life skill of being able to swim. Has he got that now do you think?

Crumbcatcher · 28/03/2023 21:54

Could you give tips on getting the most out of group lessons please? With 8 in a class there seems to be hardly any swim time and progress is really slow.

WeWereInParis · 28/03/2023 21:56

I can't swim (I've tried for years!), but I can keep myself safe in a pool if I stay relatively near the edge. What's the best way to make sure my daughters are confident in the water? Is it enough to just pay for swimming lessons - I don't want to pass on my lack of confidence by them seeing me unable to swim.

DarkDarkNight · 28/03/2023 23:03

My 9 year old son is a strong swimmer and absolutely loves it, he’s keen to join a club but as a former club swimmer I felt I over trained as a child. What is the optimum training sessions per week to improve but not burn out?

sequincardi · 28/03/2023 23:07

How important is it to be able to do all
The strokes?
My kids can't rest do much more than breast
Stroke and lark about

Bunnycat101 · 28/03/2023 23:21

Do you think the current framework is in itself preventing children from becoming safe swimmers because the lessons are so focused on stroke work? I remember my 3 year old being upset because she couldn’t do butterfly. I was astonished they were trying to teach a child who was a beginner that in the first place when she couldn’t do front crawl. She is now in stage 4 and I’d like her to be developing stamina with her front crawl , safety skills etc but she’s again back to focusing on butterfly and is stuck until she can do that well.

WimbleOfWombledon · 28/03/2023 23:39

1 in 4 children are leaving primary school unable to swim - why do you think this is the case? What are you hoping to do to change this?

Pearfacebananapoop · 28/03/2023 23:50

Are you worried about pool closures / energy costs for pools etc?

Spendonsend · 29/03/2023 09:02

My son is a club swimmer and spends hours volunteering at his club to help the younger swimmers learn. We love the aim of increasing equity in the water so our question is are there were any schemes for volunteers like him to work with younger children in groups not currently experiencing equity in the water?

DanBenandBud · 29/03/2023 11:08

My local swimming pool is ffffreeeezng and my DS does not want to go back - he's a non swimmer (age 5) any advice (no other local pools)

DinkyDaffodil · 29/03/2023 11:12

What do you think is best for learning - going in with mum - or enrolling for lessons (DS age 7) - and why ?

ohdannyboy · 29/03/2023 11:27

How can we make this part of the curriculum - when I was at school it was mandatory every week - and even part of the weekly assembly where certificates were given to the children. Schools are so strapped for cash - and my local pool has just closed, there are smaller ones - but my DC's school are not taking the children there.

HobNobAddict · 29/03/2023 11:36

I've signed the petition, thank you for raising this - is there anything done to lobby MP's, with a general election around the corner - perhaps Richie with take notice of this issue and make it one of his election promises - will you be raising the profile of this issue.
I take my DS swimming and he's just able to stay afloat without his arm bands, but school do not take them on lessons -which I find really sad. Do you feel that the are a lack of swimming instructors ? and why

Fluffodils · 29/03/2023 11:47

When did schools stop doing swimming lessons? Can't they make it a legal requirement?

littlecottonbud · 29/03/2023 11:48

My DS's learned on holidays when they were carefree and jumping in and out of the pool - with armbands and rings - and there were swimming lessons which helped. The reverse is so in our local pool used by schools it's a grey soulless building, awful changing facilities- cold showers - it's dirty and not at all welcoming. I would not want to take my child there - are there ?? - do you think there should be pool inspectors to rate and help improve local pools to make them more inviting ?

Swimjourney · 29/03/2023 11:56

Hi Adam.

My son is 11. He has a November birthday and is smaller/shorter than everyone in his squad, and most of the boys in the age group below him, with no signs of puberty coming any time soon. He meets qualifying times for the age group below on every event, but didn't qualify for 12 and unders this year and unlikely to qualify for more than one event in 13 and unders next year (when he'll only just have turned 12 and will still likely look about 10).

He loves swimming and is desperate to make it all the way to international competition.

  1. When did you first make counties?
  2. I heard you were a Nov/Dec birthday, how was that for you?
3.Do you think late developer and late in the year birthday kids can ever make it?
  1. Why are counties etc.. always end of year not age on day? Is it likely to ever change?
  2. Have you got any advice for a tiny, late developing, end of year kid who works their butt off, loves swimming, but never seems to get any reward?
  3. My son's coach is v mean to him, tells him he's the worst swimmer in the club etc.. shouts at him, gets cross when he doesn't get PBs. Have you ever had a coach like this? How did you handle it?

Thanks for any tips :)

Swimjourney · 29/03/2023 12:02

Another question!!..

We've noticed that most kids in my son's swim club are really rich! And on top of all the club sessions, a lot of kids go to private school where they get even more coaching. There definitely seems to be a wealth advantage in swimming.

Do you know of any initiatives to widen access to competitive swimming? How can clubs support families with less money to access their clubs? With the club fees, petrol to sessions, jammers, Google's, fins etc.. we r really struggling to afford the club, and I know that some families just simply would not be able to afford it at all.

Montydoo · 29/03/2023 15:54

Leisure services are always ones which takes a hit when there are budget cuts - I think that it it time for private pools to help step in with lessons - whilst there are pools in my city, they are always busy and there is little space to learn, and I cannot afford lessons, school don't run them til year 6.
What are your thoughts on such as JD sports stepping in with a quick teach programme ?

I've signed the petition

itsywitsy · 29/03/2023 16:08

How safe is swimming pool water on a young child (age 4) ? the chlorine in the air makes my eyes water - never mind being in it - how often is pool water changed (on average) - I know it's not 100% swimming related but the thought of swimming in water infused with chemicals and other nasties (bodily fluids) makes my skin crawl.

MumC2141 · 29/03/2023 18:08

Any suggestions for helping children with additional needs keep developing their swimming skills when no longer needing swimming lessons? Unlikely to be able to engage with clubs as easily distracted and required 1:1 lessons.

BristolMum96 · 29/03/2023 18:19

Do you think schools need to overhaul how they teach swimming? I didn't go in a pool for 15 years after primary school lessons as they were so horrible, teacher rude and mean! Freezing cold water and shared changing rooms. Put me off 'for life' until I had my own child and wanted to improve the experience for them.

Cotswoldmama · 29/03/2023 18:23

My youngest has been in stage 1 for nearly a year and a half now! Any tips to help him gain more confidence? Is it worth investing in one to one lessons?

lljkk · 29/03/2023 18:35

What do pros do to get a good goggle fit?
How can I do that without spending thousands on goggles that still leak?

I spend too much time in pool trying to get my goggles to not leak. I suspect my face is asymetrical because my left eye is usually ok but right eye usually has leaks; except sometimes the fit is perfect both sides immediately. 1 pair of goggles that "stick to your face without a strap" tickled my eyelashes: I would have had to trim my eyelashes (is that a pro tip?) to get them to comfy fit. My husband would have had to trim his nose to get a good fit ! That was a pair of fastskin or some brand like that.

Face App scanning, I don't know whether to trust this. Honestly, what do pros do??

Currently using Zoggs Predator Flex.

lljkk · 29/03/2023 18:38

ps: I have some Arenas. Supposed to very good. They still leak!

My kids learnt to swim without goggles, their preference, but I never learnt to swim a stroke until I was an adult, moved to Uk ,and someone told me to use goggles.

CatNamedEaster · 29/03/2023 18:51

What do you think about the framework or guidelines for stages? My son is 11, stage 5, finds it so boring because it's only focused on technique: no fun warm ups, no team tag or something else to bring a bit of fun in. He is desparate to stop (but I won't let him until he finishes stage 7) and there must be so many kids who drop out because it's too boring.