SP O RT4ALL - SUMMER 2022
MAKING A SPLASH Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington reveals her top kids swimming tips for a summer of fun.
H
olidays are meant to be enjoyable, but parents and guardians may find themselves stressed, anxious and on edge as their little ones race towards the resort pool. But don’t worry, Swim Stars founder and fourtime Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington is here to put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy your holiday in the sunshine, whether just a day trip to the local lido, or a holiday abroad. With the weather finally starting to warm up and school holidays looming, Rebecca has shared her top tips for making a splash safely this summer, from packing the right equipment to considering swimming lessons ahead of your trip. It’s not about panicking, it’s about preparing - and with that in mind check out Rebecca’s pointers below.
Scope out the pool
Before your little one dives in, don’t be afraid to familiarise yourself with the ins and outs of the pool you are visiting ahead of time, to help keep your mind at ease. Ask yourself the obvious questions – are there any notable dangers? Sharp edges, broken tiles or where exactly is the deep end of the pool? Finally, although this may seem obvious, identify if this swimming pool is child friendly – don’t make the mistake of setting up for the day at an adults-only pool! Once you have made this assessment you will be able to feel much more prepared for your child entering the pool.
ones in the pool. Having confidence in your child’s swimming will settle any existing nerves massively and allow you and your family to truly enjoy that sunny getaway this year. A good swimming coach will take into account not only your concerns, but any worries your child may have about getting in the water. It’s normal for little ones to be anxious when it is their first time in a pool (or even first time in a while) and swimming lessons with a well-trained coach is a great way to combat this before you get on holiday. Swimming lessons offer you a great way to monitor your child’s confidence in water and allow you to gauge how hands-on you will need to be at the hotel pool.
Test the water
If your child suffers from sensitivity in the eyes or on the skin then this tip is a must read. If possible, ask the hotel/pool manager about the pool, is it sanitised often and if so – how? Examine the colour and smell of the water. Contaminated
Practice beforehand
With the summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get some swimming lessons booked to strengthen up your little
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