Summer is fast approaching, and we are excited! The splash of cool water when you jump into a pool is an experience which we all enjoy. When the summer sun comes up, everyone is happily picking up their swimming gear and hurrying towards the pool. Whether it is to practice or it is to exercise, we are all going to have fun at the pool.
Tips to Know
For the experienced swimmer, fun is guaranteed, as his experience helps him or her know what to pack, how to pack, and what to do on arrival at the pool. This is not the same for the novice swimmer. Often, the novice swimmer finds himself totally confused over what to do at the pool, what skill to practice first or even the best gear to carry along.
So we will be giving a few tips that will help guide the novice swimmer and give him a couple of tips on how to get ready for the swim and how to get the best result out of it, in terms of the exercises to do, the preferred skills and the best gear to carry along. Get ready!
Swim Gear to Carry Along
Even though swimming gear is generally simple and at the same time easy to carry along, deciding on the gear to carry along and those that will be needed is sometimes a difficult decision for the novice swimmer. Here is some of the gear which is essential for your summer swim.
1. A comfortable swim swimsuit
Be sure to get a very comfortable swimsuit. A comfortable swimsuit should be firm on your body. Get a swimsuit that allows you to jump, dive and swim comfortably.
2. A towel
Whenever you think of swimming, a towel should be one of the first things that come to your mind. Remember that from time to time you would come out of the water. The towel will not only be necessary to dry you up but also to give you some warmth when you are fresh out of the water.
3. A good pair of swimming goggles
Swimming goggles are good for a wonderful experience. Whether you prefer a pair of tinted or clear goggles, the choice is yours. Swim goggles protect your eyes from water. When they are tinted, they will also give you some protection from the bright rays of the sun.
Be sure to confirm that your swim goggles have a sort of airtight cushioning and firm straps that fit you. You don’t want to keep your hands busy with holding and fixing your goggles while you are swimming.
Swimming goggles are very fashionable. They come in different colors, shades, and sizes. Different sizes are made for men, for women, and for children. Select a pair that you will like and that will be good on you.
4. Watch around for a Lifeguard
Safety is your priority. Before getting into the pool, make sure there is a lifeguard who is alert. If possible, walk up to the lifeguard and say hello. Let him (or her) know that you are a novice swimmer. This will help the lifeguard pay closer attention to you.
When the novice swimmer is an infant or a child the parent should also watch the swimmer closely and be ready to help when the need arises by either going in to rescue or calling the lifeguard to save. Remember, you are here to swim and have fun!
Some Safety Exercises:
Let us now consider a few safety tips for novice swimmers of all ages.
1. Breathing exercises
- Get your breathing stabilized and accustomed to the water. Blowing a couple of bubbles through your nose and mouth is a good start. You need to be in the water to do this, remember? So make sure you are comfortably geared up.
- Try the front float. This is done by extending your arms forward in a Superman position and holding your breath for a period of time.
- Back float is also helpful. This exercise is very similar to the front float. The only difference is that you flip over and have your face and belly to the sky. In all of this, you are still doing the breathing exercise.
- Kicking water is another fun exercise. Hold on to the edge of the pool, raise your body and legs till you are horizontal and near perpendicular on the surface or near the surface of the water. In that position, continue to kick with your legs swinging back and forth. This will keep you flat and help you exercise your back as well as your legs. Remember, that keeping a straight back is always a healthy exercise tip.
2. Swimming lessons
Sign up for some swimming lessons. It is always fun to get to the pool to practice what you have learned or what you have been taught. The advantages of taking swimming lessons are innumerable, especially when it is learned in a formal classroom setting that allows for improved concentration.
Here are some essential swimming lessons that can be very helpful for the novice swimmer:
- Confidence in the water
- Physical activity
- Less chance of drowning
Our swim schools have lessons for all ages. Sign up today and we’ll see you at the pool!
