This summer, Miss M and AM went to day camp. It was a Pretty Big Deal (to them), because there was a bus and chocolate milk. ”Every day, Ema.”
It was a Pretty Big Deal to me because it was swimming camp. Oh, there were “arts and crafts” (which rarely made it home in one piece, to my relief) and “science” (I have no idea), but they were in the pool every day for a 45-minute lesson and another 45 minutes of free swim.
This camp was far from perfect but they absolutely became better swimmers. Miss M has actual strokes now. AM can move himself across the water really well, and can take breaths without standing up in the pool.
All through June, when they asked to go to the deep end at the municipal pool, I demurred. “Let’s see how you’re doing after camp.”
And after camp, I finally gave them my blessing. Suddenly I had a lot more work to do at the pool, rather than just putting my feet in the water and looking around every couple of minutes. I was in the water next to them, exhorting them to stay next to the wall, telling them again and again that no, I can’t stand up in 2 meters of water.
But they do really well, while respecting their limitations. Their tendency to roughhouse in the shallow areas disappears in the deep end. They float and paddle along the wall and take leaps off the side trying to touch the bottom.
Or they did. Now every time I try to take them to the deep end, the lifeguard (different ones) comes over to scold me. “They’re ok,” I say. “They can swim well enough. The are next to the side. I am right here.”
“They are totally not ok,” is always the answer.
So we move to the 1.1 meter part, where I can stand and Miss M can stand. AM swims out to me and back to the wall repeatedly. It’s fine, I guess, but I am worried that the kids will lose some of their hard-won confidence. How many times can they hear that they’re not ok before they’ll start to believe it?
I was never a lifeguard, so I can’t judge the situation. It does seem to be that the pool is low on lifeguards, just 1 or 2 for a really large area (I could easily imagine 3-4 at a US pool of the same size). Are they being overly cautious? Is it just that they don’t want to bother watching me and my kids so closely?
Weigh in!
I normally just read and don’t comment, but as a former lifeguard, I agree with what these lifeguards said. I worked at several camps and swimmers had to pass deep water tests to be allowed in that area. They were given at the end of a free or instructional session, so the swimmers were more tired. If they could swim a lap (there and back) of the length or width (whichever was longer) of the deep end of the pool without stopping or any trouble, then they were allowed in that area of the pool. Needing to hang on to the side of the pool constantly to me means that they need a bit more practice before being able to spend a lot of time in deeper water. Lifeguards who are watching a large area in a municipal pool like this need to know that parents are keeping their kids best interests in mind. You’re another set of eyes, and know your kids are right next to you, but from a bird’s eye view if they are seeing your kids struggle at all, I would err on the side of caution.
Thanks. I actually think Miss M can do this (the swim the length of the pool part), but if AM can’t it’s irrelevant because I can’t be in two places at once.
I hate to lose the momentum of the swimming camp–there is not much in the way of school year lessons, but I might have to try to dig a little further.
I’m not sure what kind of additional lessons are available, but as someone who grew up swimming a lot, it’s definitely important to keep the momentum going when they’re doing well. I think it’s great that you want them to get better and better. Too many parents don’t emphasize swimming!
It’s a tough one. My rule for the deep end is that my kids have to be totally comfortable and confident swimming their by themselves without assistance from me in order for them to be there. I watch them, of course, and sometimes I swim with them, but they earn the right to be there on their own.
Unfortunately, we don’t have an official deep water test at our pool–I wish we did–but I play by the lifeguard’s rules. My 5 yo particularly does a lot of gasping and splashing when she’s swimming, and every now and then the lifeguard will ask if she’s okay. She demonstrates that she is by swimming a length or what have you and that’s that.
You’ll just have to come back to Calf’s Pasture so we can all practice here. ;>
The deep end test that I’m familiar with also includes treading water for a minute. Maybe practice this with them in the medium depth water. As long as they are spending time in the water regularly I’m doubtful that they will regress.
Right, I just need to get them into the water over the winter. Modiin pool is only open until September 30.