Making a splash

Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington reveals her top kids swimming tips for a summer of fun.

Holidays 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.

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 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

“Having confidence in your child’s swimming will settle any existing nerves massively”

water may present itself cloudy or murky and may give off a strong, chemically smell.

If your child is sensitive to chlorine or any kind of pool water, make sure they are wearing a pair of goggles to prevent their eyes from stinging, and be on hand with soothing skin creams for after they come out of the water.

Take a dip

Your child may feel a bit anxious or scared to take a dip by themselves, so make sure you go in with them for the first time to make them feel comfortable. It will be fun! It is recommended you try and follow this tip as much as possible until you truly believe children are strong enough swimmers to go solo. Being in the pool with them will ensure you stay on top of their safety and are right on hand to prevent any dangers. Plus, it is safe to say your little one will enjoy you joining in the fun with them.

Keep your eyes on them

Following the previous point, if you do decide your child is a strong enough swimmer to be in the pool alone - always keep a close eye on their activities. It takes just a second for something to go wrong so stay vigilant. Never let your child venture into deeper waters or an unknown area of the pool without you checking it first, give them some toys in the shallow end and watch them enjoy pool time from a very close distance.

Pack correctly

Who wants to be an underprepared parent at poolside? No one does! Don’t forget these essentials:

Swimming costume

Bath cape

Swim nappies

Sun protection (hat, lotions and sunglasses)

Clean clothes

Loose change for lockers

Arm bands

Plenty of snacks

Sun protection

Religiously applying sun cream on your child is obvious during those sunny getaways, but don’t forget how important it is when you’re thinking about taking a dip in the pool - even around pools in the UK! Apply before your child takes a swim, taking time to ensure it has set in before they take a dip. Then reapply in regular intervals to prevent sunburn. Remember, even so called ‘once a day’ or longlasting sunscreen is likely to get whipped off after a dip in a chlorine-filled pool and a rub from a towel.

Lifeguard awareness

Never take your child to go swimming without a lifeguard present, and if there is one, don’t always rely on them to keep you and your little ones safe during splash time. If possible, try and do some research into the lifeguard at the pool, how long have they worked there etc? And feel free to ask them questions when they are off duty. Even if the lifeguard available seems top notch, it doesn’t hurt to get clued up on poolside safety that could save your child’s or another’s life.

Have fun!

There is a high chance that your behaviour during swim time will rub off on your children and if you’re constantly on edge during what is meant to be a relaxing time, then so will your child. Yes, it is important to be aware, but is equally important to relax and enjoy yourself. Make sure you enjoy every minute of the summer with your children.

The Sporting House Group is made up of several Olympian-led brands, all striving for one common goal - to break down the barriers to kids reaching their full potential. Through its various initiatives and programmes, Sporting House engages more than 20,000 children across the UK every week in physical activity, and has delivered more than 2,000 teacher and coach qualifications.

For more, visit: thesportinghouse.co.uk