steve66 3,745 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I always thought schools took them swimming and thought them to swim ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Borr 7,694 Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 1 minute ago, steve66 said: I always thought schools took them swimming and thought them to swim ? I think some do some don't , some have pools nearby or on site. My pair had lessons which were rubbish so I said to the missus find something better or don't bother with it, she landed on a private school with two pools that does lessons as part of their charitable percentage, it's been brilliant tbh and they're in the academy swimming. I think the secondary they will end up in will take them swimming but I'm not sure and they really need to learn whilst little imo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downsouth 8,334 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 44 minutes ago, steve66 said: I always thought schools took them swimming and thought them to swim ? I taught my daughter to swim when she was still a nipper.She could do a length of our local pool before she started school.Its a schools job to to teach them to read and write etc not to teach them to swim 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downsouth 8,334 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 We're lucky in that we've got an amazing pool in our local town.When I was a kid there was a big pool with diving boards and a smaller pool,both outside and surrounded by big grassy areas.I can still remember as a kid it was 25p for a morning session and 35p for an afternoon/evening.I can still remember my mum giving me 8quid so I could get my first season ticket and spending the whole summer holiday at the pool.About 15years ago they did away with the biggest grass area and built an indoor pool which is great as its now open year round.Id be down there 2/3 times a week with my daughter when she was still primary school age.Now she's at secondary and just turned a teenager she's not so keen but I still drag her down there once or twice a month as she won't go swimming for pe with her school 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
antg 1,805 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 my kids were in the pool from babies. was a thing the wife and i were keen on as its so important imo. swimming come easy to them as they were confident in water from so young 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel cain 48,476 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 2 hours ago, steve66 said: I always thought schools took them swimming and thought them to swim ? They don't normally start them round here until the last yr of junior school so 11/12 yes old...no good if your on holidays regularly abroad...them pools are a lot deeper than the UK ones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,583 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 My daughter pays £15 a lesson for my Granddaughter just past 2 years and she's like a little fish and loves it 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mel b 3,540 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Both of mine could swim before they went to nursery . Both my late wife , and myself, saw it as an essential life skill , that could keep them alive . They were also taught to cross a road safely , not long after , for exactly the same reason. When I watch my kids cross the road now ( theyre 28 and 30). They still , stop , look , and , listen. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Borr 7,694 Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 6 hours ago, downsouth said: I taught my daughter to swim when she was still a nipper.She could do a length of our local pool before she started school.Its a schools job to to teach them to read and write etc not to teach them to swim My father was taught in the serpentine as a kid ( god forbid full of aborted kids and dead puppies) he swam in London clubs , pools were everywhere then. It was more about opportunity to learn than school responsibility. But if schools feel they are responsible for sex education, religious education, inclusive education and whatnot then I'd rather they taught swimming.... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
South hams hunter 8,986 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Ours did water babies; 9yr old was 4 months and could swing competently by 3 and 7 year old started at 6 weeks and was also swimming well by 3. We're lucky here in Plymouth; we have 7 pools in Plymouth, 2 of which are outdoor plus we have several others within 15 miles and a few private hirable ones. We also have several rivers , the hoe and local beaches - swimming and tombstoning is how kids spend their summers. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NEWKID 28,440 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 30 minutes ago, South hams hunter said: Ours did water babies; 9yr old was 4 months and could swing competently by 3 and 7 year old started at 6 weeks and was also swimming well by 3. We're lucky here in Plymouth; we have 7 pools in Plymouth, 2 of which are outdoor plus we have several others within 15 miles and a few private hirable ones. We also have several rivers , the hoe and local beaches - swimming and tombstoning is how kids spend their summers. We done the same mate, water babies.. first time I took my lad 3 or 4 months old and you put them under the water and take a step back and they push to you...spun me out, as I pulled him up and out I expected screams and tears, but none at all.. As all the lads have said its an essential life skill imo, we've spent out life on or near water, I learnt in an outside pool as a kid, it was bloody freezing... but was prepared for sea and river soon enough lol 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
South hams hunter 8,986 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 26 minutes ago, NEWKID said: We done the same mate, water babies.. first time I took my lad 3 or 4 months old and you put them under the water and take a step back and they push to you...spun me out, as I pulled him up and out I expected screams and tears, but none at all.. As all the lads have said its an essential life skill imo, we've spent out life on or near water, I learnt in an outside pool as a kid, it was bloody freezing... but was prepared for sea and river soon enough lol Misses did the older 1 and I thought at first it was borderline child cruelty Snap mate, we're always close to water so kids swimming isn't optional. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PanzerSchokolade 0 Posted June 2 Report Share Posted June 2 (edited) I had similar questions a while back and found loads of useful info and shared experiences on https://backyardpoolspa.com/forum/index.php. There’s everything from pool setups to basic swim tips. Might be worth a look if you're after more day-to-day stuff too. Edited June 11 by PanzerSchokolade Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mC HULL 15,697 Posted June 2 Report Share Posted June 2 On 19/02/2025 at 14:32, downsouth said: We're lucky in that we've got an amazing pool in our local town.When I was a kid there was a big pool with diving boards and a smaller pool,both outside and surrounded by big grassy areas.I can still remember as a kid it was 25p for a morning session and 35p for an afternoon/evening.I can still remember my mum giving me 8quid so I could get my first season ticket and spending the whole summer holiday at the pool.About 15years ago they did away with the biggest grass area and built an indoor pool which is great as its now open year round.Id be down there 2/3 times a week with my daughter when she was still primary school age.Now she's at secondary and just turned a teenager she's not so keen but I still drag her down there once or twice a month as she won't go swimming for pe with her school easy done 3-4 times a week mate when ya on the pip lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downsouth 8,334 Posted June 2 Report Share Posted June 2 6 hours ago, mC HULL said: easy done 3-4 times a week mate when ya on the pip lol Easy to pop 5 mins to the pool and have an hours swimming after work.Unlike travelling up and down the country coursing 4 times a week you dole dosser.Bet you carry a pair of crutches everywhere with you just incase 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.