Swimming is one of Australia’s favourite sports enjoyed by children and adults of all ages and abilities.
It is a sport people simply love to do.
Swimming is widely accessible – whether it is at the beach, your local swimming pool, adventure parks or even in your own back yard.
Having three swimming children of my own and spending almost 25 years teaching and coaching the sport, I have extensive experience knowing why learning to swim is vital.
Swimming is not only a lifesaving skill but has many physical and mental health benefits, including:
- It’s a social experience
- It improves mental health
- It’s physically challenging, yet safe
- It’s a great complement to other sports
- It improves self-discipline
At the Artemis Centre, we are dedicated experts in the physical, social, emotional and academic wellbeing of our members, and want to help them to perform at their best.
Today, we’ll be unpacking why swimming is a great sport for kids and how you can get your child involved.
Let’s get started.
WHY SWIMMING IS A GREAT SPORT FOR KIDS
SWIMMING CAN HELP SAVE A LIFE
Swimming is one of the most important life skills children need to learn and it should be a part of their early learning development.
Learning how to swim is a high priority, particularly for children, as knowing how to swim could potentially save a life, whether that be their own or someone around them.
We must reassure and support our children to recognise that water is not frightening, and instead, that it is a fun way to learn and build confidence. After a swimming lesson I always allow my kids to have some free time to play water games. This gives them something to look forward to and gets them excited to participate.
IT’s A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE
As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to meet new people and make lifelong friends. It is not just the swimmers who have all the fun, parents are also getting the enjoyment out of watching their little one progress and grow in confidence.
Socially it can open an avenue for many to explore something new and exciting. Spending time at swimming meets, carnivals, club nights, fundraisers and training camps can create lasting memories.
Swimming is a versatile sport – whether it is in school swimming sports, a water polo team, diving, local nippers or surf lifesaving club, the list is endless. Skills learnt in the pool can be transferred to other activities, opening up a range of options for swimmers to pursue.
Many children I have coached become learn to swim instructors themselves, which is amazing to see.
IT IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH
Swimming can create many opportunities for children to become part of a team and make friends. Feeling part of a team is so important for children and their self-esteem.
I see my swimmers thrive, willing to learn, listen, follow instructions, cheer on their fellow teammates and get excited to swim.
Children with low self-esteem show a lack of enthusiasm and find it difficult to become motivated. Swimming, like all exercise, releases feel-good endorphins in your brain, increasing your positively, bringing a sense of wellbeing.
Children suffering from anxiety, depression or a hormone imbalance have found swimming can reduce stress levels. The feel of the water and having their focus shifted has been known to have a calming effect on the mind and body.
IT’S PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING, YET SAFE
Swimming is a great form of exercise that can improve kids’ overall health and wellness. It can increase your heart rate without putting stress on your body. It tones muscle and builds strength and endurance.
Swimming can be a safe exercise for people with an injury, disability or other issues that can make high impact exercises difficult. It is a great way to aid recovery.
Many other sports recommend swimming to help them rehabilitate from an injury or to simply recover from a tough training session.
COMPLeMENTs OTHER SPORTS
Swimming is a great sport that everyone can enjoy and can be supported by many other sports.
If you are wanting to improve in your running, rowing, soccer, or football, swimming is a great and effective way to improve your aerobic fitness and conditioning without the additional impact on your joints.
Gymnastics along with swimming has shown to help build body awareness and coordination in young children. Incorporating these two sports, swimmers build strength, flexibility and the fundamentals that can further their swimming.
IMPROVES SElF-DISCIPLINE
I like to think of swimming as a disciplined sport. Swimmers from a young age learn that with hard work and dedication, they will achieve their goals.
Through goal setting, lesson planning, training, and participating in competitions, kids are motivated and want to achieve more. They are structured and focused on their swimming. I love seeing this dedication and commitment in swimmers.
in summary
Swimming is a sport that has been a part of my life since a young age.
I encourage all families to get involved whether it be swimming lessons, a leisure swim with the family or a sport to take up for exercise. Swimming has many benefits not only physically but socially and mentally as well.
Swimming is a life skill and a sport that can be for the whole family.
What we Offer
Artemis Aquatics provides an enjoyable, safe and healthy environment to develop swimming skills no matter your age, gender or ability.
To find out more about our Swim Club or Learn to Swim program visit Artemis Aquatics.