Take baby swimming: Taking your baby swimming for the first time: top tips | Baby & toddler, Getting out & about with your baby articles & support

Taking your baby swimming for the first time: top tips | Baby & toddler, Getting out & about with your baby articles & support

They’re small, slippery, and frankly, it’s messy enough swimming on your own. But don’t despair. Here’s how to ace your first swimming trip with a baby…

Swim nappies are a must

No baby is going to enjoy the experience if they’re waterlogged in their standard nappy. Most pools wouldn’t allow them in wearing those anyway.

Instead, buy specific swim nappies – available in most big supermarkets or chemists – and a suitable swimsuit, trunks or wetsuit. Then you’re good to go.

Go prepped

Make sure you have everything you need before you leave the house. For example, towels and nappies (swim and regular). Some parents also get their own swimming costume on under their clothes too. But note: do not forget to take your own underwear. Many a parent has been there, doing the dash home without the underwear.

Get yourself changed first

It can seem like the right thing to do is to put your baby into their nappy while you’re dripping chlorinated water all over them and shivering in your swimsuit. Otherwise, you must be a truly selfish parent, surely. Incorrect.

Take it from us: it is in no way selfish. It’s sensible to wrap them in a big, warm towel while you get yourself sorted first. You can sort them out when you’re dry and dressed.

Think about a proper baby class

There are many organisations that run classes just for babies. They can be a bit pricey but they’re held in warm pools. See what’s running in your local area or ask other parents for recommendations.

These classes will help to guide your baby at the right pace in the water. They also do other handy stuff like having changing mats on the side of the pool for if your baby has a mid-swim accident.

Find out about toddler sessions at your local swimming pool

If you don’t go to an organised class, most swimming pools run toddler and child sessions. They make taking your child in the pool a bit easier and a lot more fun than a standard swim with those nonstop length swimmers.

Take a dressing gown or poncho towel for your older baby

If you’re taking your newborn baby swimming, a large towel with a hood to swaddle them in will do fine. But if you’re taking an older baby who will shrug or wriggle a towel off, go for a dressing gown or a poncho towel. You can slip poncho towels over their heads to keep them on.

Keep the dressing gown or poncho at the poolside. That means you can peel off their top layer as soon as you get out of the water. They’ll be happy and warm in their poncho or gown with their swim nappy underneath for five minutes until you’re sorted.

Try to time it well

It’s often easier said than done with small babies but it’s best to take your baby swimming when they’re fed, rested and not unwell. They’ll have a better experience of swimming this way and be much more likely to love it.

Take their favourite bath toy

Babies will take to the pool a lot more quickly if there’s something familiar there. So think about taking their favourite bath duck, watering can or cup with you.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

To find out more about swimming with your baby, visit Swimming.org.

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When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process.

A guide to baby swimming with advice from Rebecca Adlington | Baby

With babies spending nine months suspended in fluid, it’s no surprise that they love the sensation of being in the water and you’re probably wondering when you can take your baby swimming for the first time. Whether you’re already thinking about baby swimming lessons or are keen to know when your baby can actually go swimming, as well what baby should wear when swimming, then this guide will make sure you’re fully prepared for the experience.

We’ve also got all the expert tips and advice from Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who has shared her top tips for taking your baby swimming, as well as her advice for helping your little one love the water, with the help of her experience from when her daughter Summer was a baby.

When can babies go swimming?

According to the NHS, ‘You can take your baby swimming at any age, both before and after they have been vaccinated. It does not matter if they have not yet completed their course of vaccinations.’ So really, the choice is completely yours. While you might not feel comfortable taking them to a big indoor water park just yet, many pools and leisure centres offer quiet and calm baby swim sessions.

«I first took Summer swimming when she was three and a half weeks old. It sounds really early, but it’s fine for your baby to go in the pool at that age. Lots of people were shocked when I said I’d taken her swimming before she’d had all her baby vaccinations, but the NHS guidelines say that you don’t have to wait until your baby’s had them,» explains Rebecca.

«Most baby swimming classes won’t take you if your baby hasn’t had her jabs, but to be honest you don’t need to go to a class the first few times, as you’re only in the pool for about 10 minutes.»

If you’re recovering from a c-section or a difficult birth, it’s best to wait until after you’ve had your six-week check before going in yourself, but encourage your partner to take your baby.

M&B expert Alison Duff, director of Calma Baby, a swimming facility for pregnancy to preschool in Cambridgeshire, (calmababy.com), says: «Although babies can go swimming at any age because public pools are busy and noisy, you may want to start the process of preparing your newborn baby for swimming at home. A relaxing bath with him the day after birth can be a wonderful welcome to the world.»

Getting your baby used to the water at home

• Fill the bath 20cm to 30cm deep with warm water at 32°C to 33°C, and ensure the bathroom is warm (above 24°C). Get in the tub and have someone pass you your baby. Spend some time cuddling him on your chest and enjoying the skin-on-skin contact.

• Then try laying your baby on their back. Cradle them initially, keeping them close to you and bringing their hands to the midline of their chest. If they’re happy, gradually lessen the amount of support and offer them the freedom to float with you, placing one hand under their head, and the other under their bottom. Let his ears submerge and use just enough support to stop their head sinking underwater. Take a breath, relax your arms and shoulders and let them float.

• Trust your instincts about how your baby responds to the experience and adjust the position or amount of support you’re giving them as necessary. Ten minutes of fun in the bath is plenty for the first session.

Typical responses to newborn floating can be intense eye contact, kicking, wriggling, smiling, crying and even complete stillness. But don’t worry if your first session isn’t a wonderful experience. If your baby cries then get out, wrap him in a warm towel and try again another time.

Benefits of baby swimming

If your baby enjoys their time in the water then that’s great, as Swim England share plenty of benefits to them having a splash about:

• It strengthens their little muscles

• It improves their balance, coordination and their motor skills

• A great time for you and your baby to bond

• Improves their sleeping pattern

• Improves their appetite (all that splashing about is hard work)

• Builds water confidence

Baby swimming lessons

If you would like some in-person support when taking your baby swimming, why not see if your pool offers swimming lessons or classes? It’s a lovely chance to meet other parents and for your youngster to see other babies in the same situation as her.

Make sure the lessons you pick are run by an instructor with a national recognised qualification and who has been trained specifically to teach babies and toddlers. This is not only important for your baby’s safety, but to also make sure they have a positive pool experience.

There are also plenty of swimming programmes available especially for babies all around the country. Here are a few you might want to look into:

• Turtle Tots

• Water Babies

• Aquatots

• Puddle Ducks

• Little Dippers

If you’re confident enough to visit a public pool check the temperature is no less than 32°C and choose a quiet time. If your baby is unsettled, keep them close, use a rhythmic bobbing motion and ensure their ears are submerged when back floating to help filter out any noise.

If your baby was born prematurely, then be sure to consult your health professional before visiting a public pool.

What do I need to take my baby swimming?

• Swim nappies

• A swimming costume

• A soft baby towel

• A snack if your baby is weaning (swimming is hungry work)

• A bottle of milk if you’re bottle-feeding

• A changing mat and your changing bag

Things to think about beforehand

• Find out what’s at your local pool. «I’d been to ours loads, so I knew it was warm enough and had baby-changing facilities,» says Rebecca. «If you haven’t been before, ring first or pop down and have a look. It makes it less daunting when you take your baby for the first time. Also, ask what the temperature of the water is. It needs to be at least 32˚C for young babies under three months.»

• Don’t be put off if you don’t have anyone to go with. «I often took Summer on my own and it’s absolutely fine!» says Rebecca.

• It’s also worth asking for a swimming timetable. There’ll be all sorts of stuff going on, including toddler sessions, inflatable sessions and even music sessions. Different experiences will mean your baby will do different things. Perhaps they’ll need to hold their breath or blow bubbles, and they’ll be so involved they won’t even realise they’re learning.

Baby swimming tips from Rebecca Adlington

1. Getting your baby into the pool

Most baby pools have big steps that go straight into the water, so it’s easy to carry your baby into the pool. When you go down the steps, hold your baby in a sitting position with their chest against yours, and support their bum with one hand and, if they’re really little, hold their head and neck with the other. Just treat it the same as carrying your baby downstairs at home.

2. How to hold your baby in the pool

If your baby’s facing outwards they’re going to think, ‘Where are you taking me?’ If they can make eye contact with you, they’ll know everything’s fine because they can see you’re relaxed. Keep smiling and say, ‘Where are we?’, so they know it’s OK. If the pool doesn’t have wide steps then, depending on how confident you are in the water and the age of your baby, gently lay them on the side of the pool (make sure you have a towel with you to put down first), then slip in the water and quickly pick them up again. If you don’t feel confident, or the pool only has steep steps, ask the pool attendant for help.

To start with, keep your baby on their back, as it’s how they are in the bath, so the pool will feel like a similar environment. Make sure your baby’s head is supported by your arm, and cradle their back and bum with your hands. It’s important that they feel safe in the water, so cradle their body close to you, so they can see you. Chat to your baby all the time to reassure them.

Encourage your baby to experience buoyancy

«Stand behind your baby, so their head is resting on your chest. Put your hands under their back, so the rest of their body is floating. They’ll soon begin to move their arms and legs about and enjoy the feeling,» reassures Rebecca. «Let them float on their back at first, so they can see you. Summer preferred being on her front when she was crawling. To support her, I put a hand under her tummy and one under her chin, so her face didn’t go in the water.»

3. Getting your baby used to the water

Building water confidence before your baby hits the pool will make the transition easier.

Let your baby get used to the feeling of water on their face when they’re in the bath by gently trickling it over their head. «Summer had a toy that rains water and we took it in the bath every single night to trickle water over her head and face,» says Rebecca.

To try it when you’re in the pool, sit on the steps and put your baby on your knee and hold them around their waist so they’re facing towards you. Let water trickle off your fingertips onto their head. Even wetting your hand and rubbing it against their cheek will get them used to the sensation. «When Summer was older, I would dip her and quickly lift her back up, so she felt confident having her whole head underwater,» says Rebecca.

Once your baby is comfortable floating, try putting their ears under the water. The best way to do this is to hold them lengthways across your body with one hand under their head and one supporting their bum. Slowly lower their head so their ears are underwater. It’s a new sensation for babies, as the water muffles their hearing.

«We practised by putting Summer’s ears underwater in the bath. She wasn’t sure at first, so don’t worry if your baby is a bit squirmy: they’re just trying to suss out what’s going on. Try it for a couple of seconds to get them used to the feeling,» reassures Rebecca. «It’s a really good way to prepare them for putting their head fully under the water. Just keep reassuring them with lots of eye contact and encouraging smiles.»

4. If your baby is unsure of the water

If your baby gets distressed once they’re in the pool, there’s usually a reason why this happens. Maybe it’s too cold for them or something else is going on like they’re hungry or needs a poo. If they cry, hold them close and let them see you, so they feels safe. They’re probably getting grumbly because they’re ready for a feed, so don’t assume they don’t like the pool.

5. Getting out of the pool

Babies soon get tired when they’re in the pool, so don’t keep them in for too long. Ten minutes is about the right amount of time in the water when they’re under three months, then build to around 20-30 minutes when they’re about six months. It’s best to get out the same way you got in, so hold them close to your chest, with your arms around them and carry them up the steps. Wrap your baby in a towel as soon as they get out, so they don’t get cold.

Fun games to play in the water with your baby

Blowing bubbles

Encouraging your baby to blow bubbles in the water with you is great fun and a good way to help them feel confident putting their face in the water. Becky explains, “The best time to introduce this game is once your baby can hold their head up and is confident floating on their back. Place them gently on their front facing you and hold them under their arms, then blow bubbles in the water and encourage them to copy you.”

Lifting games

Holding your baby under both arms is ideal for playing lifting games, says Becky. “Summer loved it when I lifted her up onto the side of the pool then back down into the water. You could put a towel down on the side of the pool so it’s not too cold. You can also lift your baby up and down in the water as they’ll love the motion and it will help them get used to the sensation of being in and out of the water. ”

Splashing in the water

“Summer really liked splashing and smacking the water with her hands, which helped her get used to the texture of the water, as well as helping her feel happier getting water splashed on her face.

“I held her around her waist with both hands so she was facing me. This helped us keep eye contact, which was reassuring for her, and also left her with both hands-free to splash about.”

About the expert

Gold medal winning Olympic Swimmer, Rebecca Adlington runs her own swim school for kids aged 3-11. She also has two young children of her own, both of whom she has taught to swim.

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How to teach a child to swim in the sea and how to teach children in a swimming pool

Many parents want to know how to teach their child to swim without hiring a sports coach. Is it possible to do this on your own, or is it better not to skimp and pay for a professional teacher? And in general, at what age should a child be taught to swim — at 3, 5, 8 years old? We will talk about all this in this article.

The optimal age of a child

A lot has been said about the benefits of swimming, hardly anyone today will refute the obvious. Speaking specifically about the advantages of this sport for children, we highlight the following points:

• Swimming develops the child physically. Trains muscles, posture, strengthens the musculoskeletal system, improves coordination;
• Children who go swimming regularly get sick less. Training contributes to hardening, strengthening immunity;
• Sports swimming improves endurance and strength and improves self-esteem;
• Moreover, it gives positive emotions, helps to relax, calms the nervous system.

At the same time, you do not have to force the baby to pass the standards for a rank or rank. It is quite enough to simply teach a child to swim in the pool and turn these activities into a useful and regular habit.

The best age to teach a child to swim is between 3 and 4 years of age.

Children under 3 years old are not yet ready to study purposefully, they come to the pool to splash and frolic. It will be difficult to explain the technique to them and force them to obey the routine and training schedule.

However, it is necessary to accustom the baby to water since the infant period. He should not be afraid that water will get on his head, flow into his mouth and nose, and, ideally, he should be able and love to dive.

When bathing, we recommend pouring water on the baby, encourage him to dive, teach him to hold his breath.

The most important thing for a child to learn is that you shouldn’t try to breathe underwater. As soon as he reflexively learns this skill, the fear of diving and depth will go away.

But do not think that it is difficult for children after 10 years to learn how to swim. They successfully master the skill at 5, 8, and 15 years old — the most important thing is to properly prepare them.

Where to teach a child faster?

Let’s continue to figure out how to teach a child to swim at age 7 or later. First of all, decide where you will study. The best option is a shallow pool in a sports complex. The child should feel safe, so the water’s edge at the deepest point should not reach him above chest level.

Many people are interested in how to teach a child to swim in the sea, but we do not recommend getting acquainted with this sport in open water. Firstly, the natural environment creates obstacles — waves, uneven bottom, salt water, which is unpleasant to dive into. Secondly, being in the sun for a long time is harmful to children’s skin. Well, and thirdly, the pool has sides that you can stick to at the initial stage of training.

Also in the pool you can ask for special sports equipment — boards, rollers, etc. These devices help to overcome the fear of depth and master the basics of technology.

Toddlers 3-4 years old are taught to swim in a playful way. Children 5-8 years old can explain the technique in simple words. From the age of 10, feel free to treat your child like an adult.

Well, we answered where you can teach a child to swim, but we emphasize that our position is advisory in nature. If you live in the south and have the opportunity to often travel to the coast, a teenager can learn to swim in the sea. Just make sure he is always supervised.

How to teach a child not to be afraid of water?

Do you know how coaches teach children to swim in the pool, what method do they use? A good specialist practices special exercises that help the child get used to the aquatic environment and overcome the initial fear:

• Float. The child holds his breath, wraps his arms around his knees and plunges into the pool. Releases air and floats. By the way, you can scatter bright cars along the bottom so that he has an incentive to dive;
• Footwork. The child holds on to the edge of the pool with his hands and makes the movements “scissors”, “frog”, “Bicycle”, swings, etc .;
• Hearts. Let the child draw on the water surface of the heart, provided that the base of the figure should be under water. The body at the same time lies horizontally, the legs help the body to maintain balance;

To quickly teach your child to swim, help him overcome his fear. As soon as children stop being afraid, learning begins to go by leaps and bounds. The child tirelessly and with pleasure flounders in the pool, with pleasure repeats the movements of mom and dad and instantly absorbs the technique.

At this stage, it’s time to teach the baby to stay on the surface.

Balance exercises

To teach your child to swim correctly, let him feel that the water is able to hold his body. An ideal exercise for this purpose is the Asterisk.

• The child lies down on the water, spreading his arms and legs wide, plunging his face into the pool. You can hold on to the side with one hand. In this position, you need to lie until you run out of breath;

Help your child learn to balance.

• Lay him on his back, let him spread his arms and legs, relax. The spine remains straight, without deflection in the lower back. Lie down for as long as it takes for him to find a balance in which the legs and head do not outweigh each other. At this point, the parent can discreetly remove their hands.

How to teach a child to swim at different ages

There is no unequivocal answer to the question “how many lessons will a child learn to swim in?” Everything here is very individual and depends on the initial skills. Consider how to organize the process depending on the age of the child:

1. Up to 1 year. No need to specifically try to teach your baby to swim. Have fun swimming with splashing and diving. The ideal environment is a home bath full of colorful toys;
2. 1-2 years. At this age, come up with interesting games with your child. For example, put a boat on the water and blow into its sails to make it float. This period is considered ideal for explaining the breath-holding technique. Ask the baby to take a mouthful of air and dive. And then blow a whole bunch of funny bubbles when exhaling into the water;
3. 3-4 years. It’s time to start doing sports exercises: frog legs, swings and rows with arms, «bike», jumping in place, etc. Combine strokes with your hands and pendulums with your legs, show what you need to do in order not just to flounder, but to move forward;
4. 5-7 years. We have already said where you can teach a child to swim, and we will raise this topic again. In the pool you can take special equipment with which the child will master the technique of water style, breaststroke, crawl on the back. Holding on to the plank with his hands, he will be able for the first time to feel what it is like to swim on his own. Over time, the need for inventory will disappear. Please note that only those who are fluent in them can teach swimming styles. Therefore, parents should carefully study the technique, and, of course, be able to swim.
5. 9-12 years old. A child at this age is already old enough to understand how swimming is good for his health. Many themselves willingly come to study in order to keep up with more developed peers. In order to quickly and independently learn to swim, a child of 11 years old sometimes only needs strong motivation. If your son has shown an ardent desire to go to the pool — do not reject this impulse for anything. The learning process here is the same as in adults. First, they learn to stay on the water, dive, explain the technique on land. Then, with the help of equipment, they begin to swim. Further, there is a development of technology and improvement of speed indicators.

If you are on a holiday in the countryside and are wondering how a teenager can learn to swim fast in a river, feel free to apply the tips given in this article. However, remember that natural reservoirs are fraught with various dangers — strong currents, whirlpools, sharp stones at the bottom, etc. Never let children go to the river without adult supervision.

How not to teach a child to swim

In conclusion, here is a list of points that should never be used when teaching children to swim:

• Never force;
• Don’t get nervous or irritated in the process;
• Encourage children with praise;
• Helping to stay on the water, do not take away the task from the child. It should lie on the surface on its own. Dad holds the baby by the torso, and the child rows diligently with his arms and legs, rejoicing at how well he is doing. At the same time, his stomach is barely submerged in the pool. As soon as dad releases the child, he instantly contracts and begins to sink. A familiar picture? You don’t have to do that!
• Do not allow the use of an inflatable ring. In it, the child hangs like a float, instead of taking a horizontal position;

The most important thing at the beginning of training is the attitude and ardent desire to learn. Swimming should be associated with something fun and interesting. Then the child will attend classes with pleasure. And yes, you need to teach your child to swim! Believe me, when he grows up, he will say “Thank you” more than once.

«RG» tips: How to teach a child to swim

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How to teach a child not to drown

Anna Kozina

Summer, sea, sun. The swimming season is open. Children love to splash in the water. Even if they can’t swim. This skill is not innate, but is necessary. How can a child feel comfortable and safe in any body of water? Here are 5 tips for parents on how to help a kid or already a schoolboy not be afraid, teach them to stay on the water and swim.

1. Count up to four

Professional trainers and specialists believe that up to four years old a child can simply enjoy water procedures — swimming, splashing, splashing, jumping from the side (of course, under adult supervision). And at the age of four, when the movements become more coordinated, you can take the first lessons. This is the most optimal age. But neither at 7 nor at 10 to learn the basics of swimming is not too late and not ashamed.

2. Start in the pool

It is best to start learning to swim in a shallow pool so that the child can stand confidently on the bottom and the water does not rise above the lower part of the chest. It is very important that in the first stages the child feels protected from any failure on the water. Therefore, classes in the pool for adults, when the baby needs to hold on to the noodle (water stick), is not a good idea. Choose a paddling pool at least five meters long so that you can perform various exercises, such as sliding, pushing off the side.

Sometimes it happens that a child who has mastered the pool feels insecure and uncomfortable in a natural reservoir — a lake or the sea, being afraid of depth and open space. To eliminate these phobias, train your child in different waters.

3. Make an «asterisk»

First of all, teach your child the basic things — to lie on the surface of the water and not be afraid to put your face into the water while holding your breath. Three effective exercises will help you with this:

«asterisk»: lie on the water, stretch your arms and legs to the sides, keep strictly horizontal;

«float»: grab your knees with your hands, lower your head to your knees, «hang» on the surface of the water;

«arrow»: push off from the side of the pool and slide, arms and legs outstretched, on the surface of the water.

4. Breathe freely

It is very important to master «swimming breathing»: quick inhalation through the mouth, long exhalation through the nose. And you need to form the habit of exhaling into the water. For starters, it’s best to practice on dry land. For example, take a bowl of water: inhale and then exhale into the water. The main thing is not to hold your breath and do not wipe your face with your hands while inhaling.

Proper breathing can be difficult to coordinate with the work of the legs and arms. Therefore, everything must be done gradually: first, master sliding on the water, then add movements with your feet, then with your hands, and only after that — inhale and exhale.

5. Put your back up

The ability to swim on your back is an additional safety net. First of all, because it is much easier to swim in this way. Lying on your back, you can easily restore strength if you are in the water for a long time. In addition, this position of the body in the water allows you to breathe better.

Important

How to train

Extreme under the prohibition of

Extreme option to push or throw a child into the water and wait for the instincts to swim out and get to the land, is not a proven «grandfather’s method», but a merciless and dangerous way. Being in a stressful situation, floundering in the water and numb with horror, a child can get psychologically traumatized. The most likely result of such experiments by parents is a staunch rejection or even a panic fear of water in a novice swimmer. In no case do not force children to learn to swim by force and immediately. Encourage, interest, create comfortable conditions so that water procedures are associated only with positive emotions.

Taking off the armlets

Professional coaches unanimously say that the only correct aid for learning to swim is a swimming board, which allows you to lie down on the water strictly parallel to the surface, lower your face into the water and slide, working with your feet. All other accessories — colored armlets and vests, circles in the form of dinosaurs or cars — only slow down the process, reinforcing harmful skills and creating a false sense of security and confidence in the child. For example, in sleeves, a child gets used to holding his head vertically above the water, leaning on his hands. At the same time, he does not feel the buoyancy of his body, and therefore cannot learn to float on the water on his own.

Not «dog-like», but «frog-like»

It’s better not to teach children to swim «somehow», for example, the well-known «dog-like» method. Then it will be much more difficult to relearn how to swim correctly and complete tasks for the technique. But the repulsive movements of the legs «like a frog» are one of the classic exercises.

Expert opinion

Dmitry Volkov, medalist of the Olympic Games and World Championships in swimming, four-time European champion, former world record holder, editor of the Swimming magazine:

— There is a vivid saying that is attributed to the ancient Greeks. Of an ignorant person they said: «He can neither read nor swim.» Not being able to swim even in ancient Greece was indecent, and even more so in the modern world.

Swimming is the most harmonious kind of sport, it develops all the muscles and has a fruitful effect on the psyche. Plus, water is magic, because in water you can feel free from gravity. Once having found himself in this state of real, only hydroweightlessness, a person will never forget him and will strive to return to him.

Begin training in shallow water. It is possible to master the simplest skills in one session, despite the fact that state regulations provide for more than 20 hours.

First step: holding the breath while diving. If you think that everyone can do it, you are sorely mistaken. Even at the Institute of Physical Education, if we are not talking about athletes, probably no more than 50 percent will do this exercise without problems.

The second step: the fight against fear. A huge number of people have aquaphobia. But it is overcome. With the help of a competent coach. When a person masters holding his breath, he understands that when he inhales, with air inside, he becomes unsinkable. At this moment, the fear of the aquatic environment immediately disappears and you can work any miracles.

Third step: learning to glide. A person pushes off from the side, holds his breath and, feeling his unsinkability, slides in a streamlined position, in the pose of the so-called «arrow».