Aqua Phobia

When being exposed to a new environment, it is not uncommon for children to feel uncomfortable and afraid. Fear is very subjective and uncontrollable, stemming from many factors. One factor could be having seen a loved one struggle. Another could be having inadequate exposure to water play in their development years (0-3 years old).

Adults also get anxious due to past bad experiences. Fortunately, the mind is a powerful thing and it can overcome fear in small steps. Practise calming, breathing exercises and get comfortable in the water with friends you can rely on.

If you or your child has a strong phobia, private swimming lessons are the way to go. One-on-one time will allow the coach to give you his or her undivided attention. They will be able to keep you calm and assure you every start of the way. For kids, they can hold your child so that they don’t act out in panic. This reduces their chances of injuring themselves unwittingly, as well as, putting others at risk in their struggle.

Social Butterflies

Some children thrive in environments where they can be social and interact with other children. By seeing others picking up the skills, they come to believe that they can do the same too (or, at least try). Children love to mimic others( you know they imitate you), and it is no exception when they are in a group class. They also enjoy the company of their friends, so they will look forward to classes and not feel as anxious in water with the distraction.

That is not to say that they won’t be hard at work! While the pace may be slower, as the coach has to attend to other students, they will have plenty of time to catch a breath. This also means they have time to practise by the side.

And kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy doing the butterfly stroke with friends. Adults stand to expand their social circles and if you are single, maybe you will even meet the love of your life.

Competitive Streak

Kids naturally love to compete. On one hand, this is due to influence from parents’ competitive mindsets. On the other, children may also be using achievement to gain attention from their parents. Regardless of their motivations, they will pick up skills faster, with greater precision when competing amongst their peers.

If your child hates peer pressure, private lessons would be a good way of advancing their skills at a faster pace. The coach will be able to progress them more readily than in group classes. He or she will also be able to fine-tune skills that your child is particularly struggling with. Therefore, in this case, your child will only need to impress his or her coach, which takes the pressure off them.

Affordability

Group lessons are definitely more affordable than private. Requesting for a female coach usually also costs more as they are in higher demand. Lessons range from $20-$120 depending on many factors, including that of location and club memberships. Do consider other costs when planning your budget for training like equipment and competition fees (if that is the route you are pursuing).

Depending on your goals, spending more money on private swimming lessons could be worth your while. Children can start swimming from as young as one years old, and start learning strokes at 4 years old with different degrees of success. They start competing at about six to eight years old. Private swimming lessons will ensure their safety and the kids will come to trust and rely on their coach. This will aid them as they go on to compete.

Conclusion

So, what is your verdict? Do you prefer private or group lessons in other settings? Do you like going for group dance classes, or do you prefer playing individual sports? You can always start with group classes and switch to private, or vice versa. Some swimmers take group lessons with different coaches to figure out which style they prefer and who they are more comfortable with. Others are fearful from the beginning and prefer a coach giving them constant attention.

SwimRay provides private condo swimming lessons, and can arrange for private group lessons. Your children will be able to take the class together and not have to be separated into class groups based on age. We are also able to go to your condominium for your convenience. Regardless of what you choose, the key is to remember that swimming should be fun and it is an essential life skill.

Hi Readers! A peek into my life consists of figure skating, traveling, writing and doing many things to keep up my fitness like yoga and swimming. As a skating coach and former music & movement instructor, I hope to shed some light on how fitness and swimming in particular, can benefit and aid you. Cheers!