Lets turn back the clock, B is one & screaming his head off in the pool after another failed attempt at a swimming lesson. Fast forward 6 months & he still hated swimming so I never took him back, thinking back maybe it wasn’t the correct decision.
Recently I realised how important being able to swim is so I decided to look into private, 1 to 1 swimming lessons.
After having a hunt around I chose ‘The Swim Academy’ for Bryson’s introduction back into swimming.
They could provide the 1 to 1 swimming lessons I wanted at a time that suited me.
In my infinite wisdom I decided to leave my house 45 minutes before B’s lesson, even though the place is only 15 minutes away. I wanted to give myself time to park & walk up to the house, however I may have got timings a little wrong & was there a good 20 minutes early. Let’s just say its not a great idea when you’ve got a very excited B in the back of the car who ‘JUST WANTS TO GO SWIMMING NOW!’
We walked down when it was closer to B’s lesson time, the classes are held in a private pool at a private residence. It did feel mega weird walking onto someones drive & through their garden but it is fully explained before hand & you are told exactly how to get to the pool.
The changing room is separate from the pool but exceptionally warm thanks to a heater! I was boiled in my clothes but clearly those in their swim shorts or suits would really appreciate the warmth.
B honestly couldn’t wait to get in the pool once we were in the pool house, it was so adorable to see him so excited about learning to swim. I have to say Britney, his teacher, really did help by being warm & bubbly on arrival. I always find the more happy & excited someone seems the more B warms to them.
B is quite shy & struggles with people, more so recently, alas we didn’t have this issue with Britney & he pretty much ‘dived in’ to his lesson.
B got to choose the colour of his swim ‘noodle’ which he found absolutely fabulous he got his little life belt on & off he went. I loved the activity Britney set up to warm B back into the world of swimming!
B’s task for the lesson was to swim & collect toys that were dotted around the pool, it was great to see him smiling in the water. B chose the pink toys & thoroughly enjoyed dotting around the pool to grab them, he had to be reminded to move his arms & legs but he sure did get around.
In-between grabbing his favourite toys B was asked to ‘talk to the mermaids’, I absolutely loved this concept & B seemed to as well. To ‘ talk to the mermaids’ you simply have to blow bubbles into the water, something he regularly does at home but was a it hesitant of in his lesson.
I really feel B thrived having the lesson on his own in a chilled out private venue, there were no distractions which meant he really concentrated on the task at hand. Whilst dotting around on his own he drunk some water & got rather upset. Britney did well at calming him down & distracting him, B has been delicate lately so it really did upset him. I’m glad Britney handled it how she did as some people really struggle with children when they get upset & can sometimes turn their brains off to the fact the child is upset & make it worse.
B’s 1 to 1 swimming lesson was half an hour long, prior to doing the class I would have said that was far too short but it was actually bang on perfect for B.
Nearing the end of his lesson he became rather uncooperative, but was tempted to try some ‘jumps’ into the pool, he found these rather hilarious but flat out refused to stand up & jump in. *SPOILER ALERT* As soon as he left the pool house he boasted that he was going to do that ‘NEXT TIME mummy, next time I do it!’.
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I was of B, he really tried his best! He didn’t really let anything bother him & really enjoyed himself.
He is thoroughly looking forward to his next lesson.
I paid for B to do 3 – 1 to 1 swimming lessons with ‘The Swim Academy’ & depending on how he copes this week I may continue these throughout the 6 weeks holiday!
Britney from The Swim Academy also runs 2 to 1 classes as well as group classes, you know your child well enough to decide what style lessons would suit you. I can say I thoroughly recommend the 1 to 1 swimming lessons, especially for those who are new to swimming or who need some extra help with the skills & water confidence.
By no means is it cheap at £25 per 1/2 hour session but I wouldn’t really have it any other way for the time being, it suits B to a tee & he gets the full attention of one person for that entire lesson.
If you are local to the Hertfordshire area then I highly recommend ‘The Swim Academy‘, I have only been to their Oaklands pool but the one in Luton also looks absolutely amazing.
I am going to keep you up-to-date on B’s swimming journey & both myself & B are thoroughly looking forward to continuing this journey with Britney!
This sounds really good and just the right length of time! I need to organise swimming lessons for my daughter, so will look into this option 🙂
Ahh swimming lessons are great for children, the earlier they start the better. My children wouldn’t take part in lessons, the girls hate group situations, but my husband takes them often. I love that he was so happy at choosing his own noodle, mine would be the same!
I paid for my little one to 1 to 1 lessons too and he picked it up so quickly I was really impressed. It’s great that he is enjoying himself now x
I think that swimming is a life skill that everyone should have. It’s great that he has taken so well to the 121 lessons, I’m sure his confidence will grow and grow now x
This sounds brilliant. I took C swimming for the first time last week. I’m not a confident swimmer and have shied away from it but we were invited to a pool party and he absolutely loved it so we will go again soon. I’d love for him to get trained like this though. Little B looks very confident in the water, so sounds like a great investment. xx
Wow this looks awesome! I completely agree swimming is an important skill to have. Max has lessons now and really enjoys it!
I agree with you that learning to swim is so important! Sounds like B’s on the right track now too so definitely persevere as my son is now 12 and a very strong swimmer and diver, he even free-dived in Mexico last year & I swear it was because of all the lessons he had when younger, his confidence is amazing xx
What a great idea. It’s so important for people to be able to swim not only for safety but so they can enjoy the water as well
Aww… well done B! It is so great to have not to travel so far for a half hour swim. I’m in Hitchin and I don’t drive – so I had to get the kids on the train to Stevenage for just a half hour swim. It was very tiring! B is doing so well – so well done B! I like the mermaids concept that’s so cute. E&E also loves collecting toys around the pool too. I will need to look them up and see if there is one near us too. Thanks for this. x
I regret my kids not learning to swim. My own fear of water is a big part of it but I should have sorted lessons for them beyond the required ones the schools provide. My son eventually taught himself when he would visit the pool with his friends. Now, my daughter is 10 and I am looking for a way for her to learn as soon as possible. They both have the same issues regarding splashing in the face that I have but I am hoping that my daughter will eventually be able to swim – even if I am still very poor at it! (I can make the motions but cannot treat water and struggle beyond more than a couple of frenzied strokes before becoming exhausted.)
I keep thinking taking Bobcat for swimming lessons but after reading this now definitely will look up classes nearby!
Well, let’s just say your kid is more brave than i am. Even to this day, i still can’t swim :))
I love that the lessons are in a private pool, I bet its such a nicer experience, I totally hate public pools! Glad B enjoyed himself, my two are like fish!
This looks so fab! Swimming lessons in kids are so important to me and we’ve been swimming since my boy was 6 months. Luckily he loves the water!!
Isabelle was terrified to swim to begin with and of course her brother then played off this too. They are both now finally getting the hang of it, best feeling to see them finally enjoy it! Look forward to reading the next update x
Sounds like he really enjoyed His swimming lesson. My girls have just started lessons and have half an hour, I think this is about right for them.