To overcome a fear of water, or deal with anxiety around the swimming pool can be difficult. It can hold many people back from learning to swim, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Many Olympic swimmers were afraid of the water as young children, but they worked to overcome it and became champions.
A few tips to help overcome anxieties around swimming.
Watch our Evans swim school videos with your child, we show for each venue what the changing room is like through to the swimming pool environment.
Please watch the “Fear of water “ you tube video we have linked on this blog from one of our favourite teachers all the way from Texas USA, Johnny Rocket!
Arrange a visit to the venue to watch a class with your child. This can give you and your child a chance to experience the noise and sounds in a big pool hall and to see what happens in a swim lesson.
We normally start by getting their feet wet and try to gradually get them to get in and to feel what it is like to stand and walk in the water and get used to going deeper into the water.
When they can stand in water deep enough, we get them to splash water on their face as if washing it. At the same time thinking of positive images while they are splashing their face.
Next. they try to learn to blow bubbles with lips and nose in, and then how to hold their breath.
We have lots of games and activities to get them used to moving through the water and being comfortable with a wet face.
We may get them to hold the side and practice kicking with their body stretched out and get used to floating wearing a noodle with support from a teacher.
Practice at home is encouraged in the shower/bath or sink/basin, with adult supervision of course! Get used to a wet face and blowing bubbles. and holding the breath.
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