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How To Choose A Swim Lesson Program

Swim lessons are important for everyone no matter what age or level they are at.

When you are looking for swimming lessons, there are many factors to consider to help you choose the right program. Here, we have assembled some of the important factors to help you determine what is best for your children and for yourself.

  1. Instructor Experience - While certifications such as a current WSI certificate is nice, NOTHING replaces an instructor’s experience relevant to the needs of your child, or your own needs if you are an adult learning to swim. Does the instructor have experience working with Special Needs children? Do they teach safety skills? Do they at least have CPR and First Aid certifications? Are they skilled in teaching children or adults with a fear of the water? Are they good with infants and children? Are they able to teach at a competitive level? Will they work one-on-one in a private setting with you or your child? Depending upon your needs, these are questions that you should ask.
  2. Class Size - One of the most important factors when searching for a swim program is the instructor-to-student ratio relative to the age of the student. If your child is in a class with a 10:1 ratio, even if the class is cheaper than one with a 4:1 ratio, spend the extra money! Your child will learn to swim much faster and it will be cheaper overall.
  3. Facility – Is the facility clean? Does it have a lifeguard in addition to the instructor? Does it have changing room and bathroom facilities? Is it heated? Is the pool deck uncluttered? Do they close and shock the pool when a child has an accident in it?
  4. Insurance – Does the facility carry liability insurance? If an outside entity runs the swim program at the facility, do they also carry liability insurance? Does the instructor who is teaching lessons at your home privately carry their own insurance?
  5. Age Appropriate Schedule – Does the swim program you are evaluating have programs that are appropriate for different age levels or will your 3-year-old be swimming with 9 year-olds? Is the program large enough to teach age-appropriate classes enough times during the day/week/weekend/evening in order to accommodate your schedule? Do they have flexibility to add more classes to help accommodate your needs?
  6. Background Check – Does the swim program run background checks on their new instructors? This is especially important if they are coming to your home for private lessons.

After reading the above, you now have some insight into things that you may not have considered when you decided to look for swimming lessons. Do your research and ask questions before you take the leap. Ask friends who have had their own children in lessons. Price is far from the deciding factor.

Get the Facts on Drowning from the CDC

Prevent drowning with swim lessons

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

  • 4,000 Every Year: An average of about 4,000 people die from drowning every year. That is more than 10 people every day.
  • 20% Are 14 and Under: One in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.
  • 5X More Are Non-Fatal: For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries

So let’s take a look at who is most at risk

  • Males: Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male.
  • Children: Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates. About 30% of children ages 1 to 4 who die from a fatal accident, do so by drowning. In fact, in this age group, drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death, behind car accidents.
  • Minorities: The fatal drowning rate of African American children ages 5 to 14 is almost three times that of white children in the same age range. In swimming pools, African American children ages 5-19 drown at rates 5.5 times higher than those of whites. In fact, African American children ages 11-12 drown in swimming pools at rates 10 times those of white children!

According to the CDC, factors such as access to swimming pools, the desire or lack of desire to learn how to swim, and choosing water-related recreational activities may contribute to the racial differences in drowning rates. Note that available rates are based on population, not on participation. If rates could be determined by actual participation in water-related activities, the disparity in minorities’ drowning rates compared to whites would be much greater!!!!!!!

With these facts in mind, it seems ever more important to find a good program for you and your children to take swimming lessons such as those provided by Hudson Valley Swim.

Can My Baby Take Swimming Lessons?

Start infants with swimming lessons as young as six months.

When your baby is 5-6 months old, you can join a parent-child swimming class such as the Pollywog class taught by Hudson Valley Swim. You'll be in the water with your baby during these classes, which are opportunities for them to be around other babies and become comfortable in the water – not learn true swimming skills. Your child probably won't be developmentally ready for formal swim lessons until approximately age 3.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says classes for children younger than 3 can be enjoyable and helpful but warns that many parents may become overly confident about how much their child learns in these classes. The AAP advises that an adult be within arm's length – close enough to touch – whenever infants and toddlers are in or near water.

At Hudson Valley Swim, we feel that your child is ready to take swim lessons on their own when they’re able to listen to an instructor for the whole class and follow their directions. Your child should also be comfortable around water before taking swim lessons solo – if they hate bathing or haven’t been around the water much, it might be a good idea to take them to an age-appropriate parent-child class first.

Feel free to ask if you can observe a class before you join. The instructors should run a well-organized class and clearly demonstrate what they're asking parents to do (how to hold a child in the water, for example). There should be a lifeguard on duty at all times.Other things to look for: A warm pool, which makes getting in much more comfortable, and a class with no more than 10 parent-child pairs – so you can hear the teacher and have plenty of room to play in the pool.

Benefits of Swimming for Adults

Swimming is a great skill to have no matter what age you are.

There are numerous benefits that adults can realize when they are swimmers. Often, doctors have begun advising their adult patients to begin swimming as a safe and enjoyable way to realize the health benefits of routine aerobic physical activity. According to the CDC, just a few hours a week of an aerobic exercise like swimming can decrease the chance of acquiring chronic or even serious health conditions. Here are several reasons that make swimming the ideal sport for adults.

1) Adult swimmers live longer

Studies show that weekly swimmers have approximately half the risk of death than their inactive counterparts. Swimming improves many health issues including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and even helps to deter certain types of cancer including colon, breast and lung.

2) Adult swimmers feel better physically

People with chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis benefit from water-based exercises like swimming because they can get the benefits of healthy exercise such as a decrease in pain in a low impact and low injury sport without worsening symptoms or further damaging joints. Swimming is also responsible for maintaining or improving bone health in post-menopausal women.

3) Adult swimmers feel better mentally

Like many exercises, swimming increases a feeling of well-being and is a great stress reducer. People who swim regularly also report less depression than non-swimmers of the same age, circumstances and socioeconomic group.

4) Adult swimmers are less likely to drown.

Although one may assume adults have learned how to swim, many have not and are at a great risk any time they participate in a recreational activity that centers around water such as boating, snorkeling or even just enjoying ocean waves. A strong wave combined with a significant undertow can drag a person deep into the water where non-swimmers are in danger.

The benefits of swimming

Swimming is an important sport and should be enjoyed by everybody as it has several health benefits.

Swimming is an important sport and should be enjoyed by everybody as it has several health benefits. Swimming increases the metabolism and helps energize your body and mind. Doctors suggest swimming to patients after surgery because the density of water takes pressure off of their bones and joints which helps them recover without additional pain. It really is the only exercise like it. Additionally, swimming is the only exercise that has an effect on the entire body.

There are numerous benefits from swimming such as:

  • It maintains your heart rate and takes away stress from the body.
  • It builds muscular strength and increases immunity.
  • Exercises your lungs and helps to keep you fit.
  • It helps to burn calories which in turn reduces weight
  • It is the only physical activity which involves and tones all of bodies muscles.

There are many more reasons for swimming, so it is important for children to learn to swim at an early age. It will help you in building a better and healthy life for your children. It will make your children healthier and energetic. Swimming is a skill that can be mastered at any age but is best when taught early on so the swimmer can have a life of enjoyment and exercise.

There are numerous facilities that provide swim lessons in Newburgh and New Windsor as well as throughout all of Orange and Dutchess counties. Pools are equipped with all the safety measures and there are always lifeguards on deck during each class.

If you have children and they do not know how to swim, then maybe it’s time to teach them. It is a good way to develop and enhance the growth of children, improve their posture and let them have a good time. And while they are learning and refining their aquatic skills, why not do the same for yourself!

Baby Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons can start as early as six months.

Your baby may not be able to walk but he or she can certainly start to learn swimming skills. At Hudson Valley Swim, our trained instructors use various techniques that we have honed over time to teach kids as young as4- to 5-months and older, swim skills that will stay with them for life. You’ll find some additional benefits to jumping into lessons now, like these Reasons to Start your Baby Swimming Before the Age of 1.

1. Born to Swim

You may be surprised at how naturally babies take to water. After all, they were little swimmers before you even met them. It is only fitting that you immerse them in water to keep them used to it. The sooner you introduce your baby to the water, the easier it is for them to enjoy and celebrate the environment.

2. Prevent the Fear

Once your child gets a little bit older, toddlers often enter phases where fear of many things becomes more prevalent. By having swimming as a natural environment early on, they will not have any new feelings to become adjusted to, when they start learning to swim.

3. Tubby Time

Maybe you’ve heard about the parents who struggle with bath time, or maybe you hate when your little one becomes agitated with water being poured over his or her head. Want an easy fix? Sign up your baby for swimming lessons! At Hudson Valley Swim, swim lessons teach babies that being in the water is fun and that translates to having a great experience in all water, including in the tub.

4. Beach Fun

Just because your little one isn’t walking doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the water when you’re at the beach. Sure, you’ll have to make sure your baby is properly protected from the sun. Because you’ve had your little swimmer in swimming lessons, you won’t have to worry that he or she doesn’t know what to do in the water and you can enjoy the splashing and feel of the refreshing water.

5. Pool Play

It can be a funny sensation for a baby to have their legs dangling in the pool with nothing to stand on, or just being wet in a pool if they haven’t been introduced to it previously. When your baby is in swim lessons and looks forward to playing in the water, you also get to enjoy the water. Babies who aren’t even one yet can learn how to go under water

Swimming lessons for adults

Swimming is not just for children. Adults enjoy swimming and like to learn to swim.

In our life, we often encounter moments when we think, “I wish, I would have learned this or done that”! Normally, it is never too late to learn new things, especially a skill that can be both enjoyable and lifesaving. One such skill that fits these criteria and is good for any age or gender, is “swimming”.

Swimming offers many advantages to our bodies. It not only is an incredible way to stay healthy and fit, but is also a must-have skill for safety reasons. Swimming is an exercise that uses all of our body muscles together to propel through the water. Hence, swimming is a boon for those fitness lovers who want to burn fat without the sweat. Additionally, no matter whether you are an adult or a teenager, you can drown in water as easily as a child can; unless you have sufficient swimming skills. Thus, you should consider enrolling in a swimming class, regardless of your age.

With an experienced instructor who truly understands your fear and your passion of learning, you can have an enjoyable experience while exercising and learning safety skills. Thus, you should always evaluate the swimming programs in your area to ensure their instructors are trained in your needs, are insured and have class sizes small enough for an enhanced learning experience. If you are looking for a swim school that meets these criteria, consider talking to Hudson Valley Swim.

Enjoy swimming in the summer months safely

Swimming lessons will help you feel confident and safe in the water.

Beat The Heat of a Blistering Summer….Safely!

There is no better way to beat the heat of the summer than by spending it in the water. Swimming is a great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by all ages at any time of the year; but of course summer is the best. But please…..keep safety in mind!

Calculated Risks

Swimming obviously comes with the risk of drowning, but it doesn’t mean that we should keep the kids away from the water; only that parents need to be more vigilant and extra conscious when their kids are in or around the pool. Parents also need to stress to children how to be safe while they are in the water and in the case where they get into trouble, what to do.

Water Safety

Whether it’s keeping kids safe at the local swimming hole, in the family pool or on white-water rapids, parents must sure to keep their families safe both in and around the water by teaching them about water safety.

However, do not forget that swimming time or bath time should still be fun. But how do you keep it fun while imposing your safety rules? For starters, there are safety-minded swim schools that can teach your children both swimming skills as well as safety skills. Enrolling children, as well as adults who are not comfortable in the water, in swimming class can give your whole family some peace of mind when you are in and around the water.

Contact Hudson Valley Swim to discuss an appropriate lesson program for you and your children so you can comfortably enjoy the summer and beat the heat of the summer!

Learn more about toddler swimming lessons

Toddler Swim Classes – A Refreshing Way to Learn & Develop

Nothing can be more energizing and refreshing in hot summers than swimming in a cool pool while enjoying the warmth of the sun and luckily when you live in Dutchess County (the place full of lakes and river beaches) you don’t have to go all the way to the ocean for this heavenly experience. Swimming is an exercise, a meditation and a sport that can benefit you in all the possible ways and make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated at the same time. It is equally important for the kids, teenagers, youths and adults as water knows no age bars, but it is better to learn swimming at an early age, so that the child can improve his skills with age and stay fit throughout his life. There are myriad of benefits of learning swimming at an early age. Some of them are discussed here:

Reduce the risk of drowning

Water can be risky and you don’t want your child to drown while he is playing around a pool, a lake or a river or at the time of any disaster, such as flood. Swimming is an essential life skill and make sure that your child has mastered it.

An Intelligent Mind in a Fit Body

Swimming is a cardiovascular exercise and a total body workout, which not only strengthens your kid’s physique but also develops your kid’s brain and mental strength. It has been proven that the kids, who know swimming, perform well in academics as swimming makes the brain sharper and your kids smarter.

More Career Options

Swimming provides more career options for your growing rock star and opens the doors for new opportunities. For example, your little kid can become a professional swimmer, a trained sports-person or a supermodel in the future and if that happens, no one in this world will be more proud and happier than you.

Learn From the Professionals

Last but not the least is to decide, whom to learn swimming from or where to join the training classes? Although, there are a number of swimming trainers and institutes and swimming centers in Dutchess County where you can go and train your child, but I would suggest you to go for ‘Hudson Valley Swim’. This is area’s premier school of swimming which provides year-round classes to make your child, a swimming expert and also the professionals take special care of your tiny toddler.

Feeling inspired and excited enough to make your kid a ‘water warrior’? If yes, then find a location and get your kid enrolled in HV Swim’s swimming classes where your kid will learn to swim, play, enjoy and develop!

Learning to swim is critical for everyone: infants, toddlers, and even adults.

We all know how important exercise is for a healthy mind and body. While there are many ways to exercise, swimming is widely known as one of the best and is also a lot of fun while working out.

What are the primary benefits of swimming?

  • It helps control your weight
  • It boosts your mood and heals you emotionally
  • It reduces your stress and depression levels
  • It makes you more expressive and confident
  • It strengthens your muscles and joints in a low impact way
  • It helps you sleep better
  • It improves your concentration power
  • It improves your immunity system
  • It helps control your cholesterol and blood pressure levels

Although swimming can be started at any stage of life, it is ideal to start at a young age. This does not mean that all hope is lost if you want to start as an adult to gain the advantages of a healthier living in a low impact way.

Some adults are afraid of water and consider swimming to be a risky activity. With a little skill, it really isn’t especially given that most pools are carefully supervised by certified lifeguards.

In most swim schools, students learn long distance swimming, safety skills, and various lap and survival strokes. They all exercise different arm and leg muscles as well.

Many studies have shown how swimmers are more active, balanced and coordinated, and perform great in aptitude tests. Moreover, regular swimmers, especially children, are shown to be more logical, positive and fit than the non-swimmers. And these children were far ahead in reading, writing and other intellectual activities, then the children who don’t take part in swimming.

If you live in the area, consider registering you and your children for swim lessons at Hudson Valley Swim. We have programs for all ages and abilities and year-round classes.

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Fall Swim Session is Underway!

Now is the perfect time to build confidence and water safety skills.

August 16 – October 24
Weekly 30-minute lessons
Ages 4 months through adults
Beginner to Advanced

Limited spots remain. Enroll today and reserve your swimmer's place!

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