Swimming Lessons - Ashland, OR

I started both my boys at 3 yrs. at the YMCA in Eugene. They loved it. It was a great start for them. I continued for several years. They are both adults now and love the water and are both great swimmers.

I took my son to the YMCA for swimming lessons at 8 months old. It was wonderful. I myself can't swim and I was always afraid if he got in trouble I couldn't save him. The younger the better. They have no fear and there's less chance of fear of the water standing in the way. He learned to swim so good that when he was 14 he swam all the way across a lake with a friend in a boat next to him so if he got tired he could climb in the boat. On the way back my son rowed the boat and his friend swam back. He never swims alone and the children were taught to associate the swim trumks with swimming so there was less chance they would jump in with regular clothes on if no one is close by.

I've heard of swimming lessons for babies! I don't think there is any limit. By 3, however, I think they've lost their ability to float as babies can.

No, the sooner the better. Did you know that you can take your newborn swimming and they will automatically hold their breath? Water babies should be done now so that your child doesn't develope a fear of the water.

You can most certainly start now and yes he will retain and continue to learn. I started my daughter at 7 months. I started at the Beaverton Swim Center (Parks & Rec district), but the water was too cold (even I got chilled standing in it). So, we switched to Children Of The Sea where the water is 92 degrees, it is super clean and it is a small pool compared to a community center, so it has a much safer feeling. My daughter LOVES her swim classes and I even sent her to a camp there this summer for 2 weeks. She is now 3.5 yrs old and swims independently. I have been very happy with the facility, instructors and owners. It is a great kids program. You can certainly start your son now. They have small class sizes (4 max per teacher) and experienced teachers who clearly love the kids. At 2.5 years old, you will probably be in the pool at the same time as he is, but you should call them and talk to them about which class is most suited. They are a wonderful program and everything focuses on safety and water skills. Check out the website www.childrenofthesea.com and you can read about the school and classes.

Have fun!!

Dear A.,
I am a swim lesson supervisor and I am certified in 3 different swim programs as an instructor not to mention many years of experience. Anyway, I thought I'd let you know that I have been teaching my 1 year old how to float and hold his breath etc since he was 6 months old, so it's never too early to start. It all depends on the temperature of the pool you intend to take your son to, and whether or not you are willing to get into the water with him. I strongly recommend doing mommy and me classes with him at first so that he feels safe in the water. Also, at home, practice simple things like pouring water over his head, and blowing bubbles. Make sure you always communicate with him that the water is fun and not scary. If you want to ask more specific questions please send me a note! Good luck, and good for you for wanting your son to learn a life saving skill at an early age!!!!!!
B.

if your goal is to have him learn how to swim, the research I have done suggests that a child should be around 4. If you simply want him to feel comfortable in the water, you can do it earlier (and should do it earlier). Developmentally, however, to perform the strokes correctly, things that I have read say that the children typically aren't ready until close to 4...Keep in mind that every child is different, so your son may be ready next summer!

Apparently I am in the minority on this one (I also have been certified to teach swim lessons to adults, infants, and children). I think that many peopel who respond didn't bother to ask your intentions...like I stated from the beginning, if you want him to learn to swim and to do the strokes properly, you should wait...if you want him to be comfortable in the water, you should definitely start.

I'm not sure what the "New Way" people as don't believe in raising their children like they did 20 years ago but I can tell you this, It's NEVER to early to teach your baby/child to swim. I never remember "learning" to swim because my Mother taught me when I was just a baby. I did the same with my daugther! We were in the pool before she could walk, just playing and then when she was "old enough" for swim lessons and they didn't know what to do with her because she already could swim at the age of 3. She loves the water to this day and is a Beautiful swimmer!

It looks like you have lots of responses to this, but as a former YMCA/Red Cross swim teacher, I have to agree with what most people have already said. 3 years old is a GREAT age to start lessons, whether it be in a Mommy & Me (if he's not ready to be apart from you) or in a class where you sit and watch him have fun with the teacher. As most people here have already said, just getting him to learn that the water is fun and getting him used to the motions is the most important part. At this age he will learn the foundation of how to swim, even if he's not able to do it completely on his own for a while. My first 2 kids, now 11 and 8, have always loved the water and were introduced very young. By the time my 3rd was born, we lived in a place where water was not as easy to get to, and at 4 he now loves it, but it took him longer to warm up to it. Just over the summer he has taken great strides and is actually swimming by himself for short distances. One suggestion would be to find a class where they don't force them to do what they're not ready to do. Some teachers are more pushy than others, and it may actually do more harm than good to force them to, say, go under water when they just don't want to do it yet. They'll get there, and it may take time, but it's one of those things you just have to stick with. Have fun!

I don't think it is ever too early to get kids comfortable in the water. I took my daughter to a mommy and me swimming class when she was 2 and I wish I would have done it sooner, I think the class was for 6 months and up. Once she turned 3 she was able to go the "goldfish" class on her own. Some of the community centers have nice indoor pools so you don't have to wait for summer, Mt. Scott for example. We are enrolled there for a fall class. They also have Saturday classes for busy single moms like us!

I have heard of swimming lessons as early as six weeks. There is actually a video on infant survival swimming, which is amazing. The YMCA usually has great classes all year round since their pools are indoor. And I have heard of Dolphin Academy (I believe it is) which does great lessons for every age.

This video about infant survival swimming technique is amazing!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0mUPr68x2U

The only reason I didn't start my 2 yr. old was because she was too short for the shallow end. I waited until she was taller not the age. She turned 3 in December so I signed her up this past summer. It was the best thing. Now my 3 yr. old and 5 yr. old can swim the length of the pool. Of course they aren't pros, but I can trust them in the pool now. Good luck

sign up now!! I have a 3 year old daughter and we started at the beginning of the summer. If you wait to long he will be the oldest in the class. It does not go by age but by skill level. We go to the Aloha swim center.

I was swimming by the time I was 2 and while I'm not Olympic material, I'm a fairly strong and competent swimming. We're starting our 14 month old in classes this fall.

No he is not too young at all. My girlfriend started her son at 6 months and my daughter is starting with in the next couple of months at Swim like a fish and she just turned 1 acouple of days ago. They (the kids) do supprisingly well.

We started at 6 month in "mommy and a baby class", it wasn't a real swim lesson but we had lots of fun. Now he is 4 years old and he is a good swimmer. He wants to be a diving man and he goes for that. My mother-n-low has a swimming pool and this summer he fell in it and manage to get out by him-self. Last summer we were in the sea and there were 3 unexpected big waves that took him from our hands. I nearly had a heart attack but he didn't swallow any water and he manage to get out on the beach before we did. I was glad that I started him early. He couldn't swim but he did manage to hold his breath under water and that probably saved his life. Both YMCA and All Star have swimming lessons year around. We like them both.

My son started swimming lessons this summer (he is three). I think the main idea at this age is for them to be familiar and comfortable with water. They learn to hold their breath, put their face in the water, float, etc. Most importantly, it should be a fun, positive experience. Three is a great age to start, some actually start as babies with their mom or dad in the water with them. So, some would say it is never too soon to start! S.

A.,
Check with your local aquatic center. Ours has lessons with babies and their parents. There are also lessons for young children up to adult.

never too early and yes, they remember once they get back in the water again

I took my little girl at 8mos. old to the local swimming pool and was told disdainfully "*We* start them at 6 mos. old." It put me off just a bit so I still haven't really started swimming lessons (she'll be 2 in Dec.) but I have taken her in swimming pools to get her used to the water, which I think is the big thing for littler ones. Kicking feet, dunking under the water, that sort of thing. I think the sooner they get used to the water, the better, but they can (of course) learn to swim at any age.
Lots of fun!
Jennifer

Hi A.,

I don't believe 3 is too early at all. Actually I started both of my children before the age of 3 when they were in the mommy & me classes. This helped them get used to the water and have fun with it so that when they started the classes by themselves after the age of 3 they weren't scared and were able to really learn how to swim.
Have a great day!
D.

I don't have any inside knowledge about retaining but I started my son this summer at 2.5yrs. He was very into it and a natural. My older son started at 3 and was also into it but took him a little longer to do some of the more "brave" things like going under water and such. It is worth a try at 3. My skinny little 7 yr old went without floatation or flippers this summer and it was amazing.

Don't let the first lesson deter you either if he doesn't seem into it. I have seen a few kiddos cry through their first couple lessons and then get into it.

Babies can start swimming lessons as infants if your local pool or club offers them. Just check around- it's never too early.

Hi A.~

Sooner is better than later! My mom had me and my sisters in the water learning to swim while we learned to walk. I started walking at 7 mos. and swimming at a year. My sisters had similiar development. I've had my babies in the water, and my 2 year old is nearly at swimming level (my mom had a pool and I do not so it's been slower for my babies).

Also the sooner you get them swimming the less you have to worry about drowning. Children will retain! This is also a good age to get them into language classes if you want them fluent in a second language - thier minds are so wonderfully pliable they can learn so much!

The only caution I give is if your child has a somewhat meeker personality. My daughter is a fireball. She will charge into any situation and have fun no matter what. She never holds back. My second son, however, is terrified of everything! Taking him in the water scares him if not done extremely slowly. You may want to ease him into water if he hasn't grown up with it to get him used to it so he isn't just being introduced to water at the first lesson.

Best of luck!

C.

depending where you live, some centers do year round lessons from birth up to adulthood. Whenever you feel comfortable or he feels comfortable to try lessons is when you should do it.

Hi A.,

I would say that it depends on the child. Some of our friend kids were ready even at two and a half and some not till 4. Our daughter started just after she turned 3 and was very excited but once we stated going she became very nervous about putting her head under water.

Programs vary also some push children to do things they may not be comfortable with and other are more follow the child’s lead. You know your son best so go with your gut.

All that said I have heard great things about Vivian swim lessons; she has been recommended by many of my mommy friend her in the ridge. Her email is ____@____.com

Happy swimming.

R.

not too young at all, just don't expect them to do much in their first classes. our local swim place wouldn't let kids do lessons until they were 3 (for attention-span purposes). the first classes are about blowing bubbles in the water and just playing some little games. it didn't keep my daughter's attention at 3 so we didn't sign up again. now that she's gone to school, we may give it a try again.

My kids have all started swimming before they were 1 year old. I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old who can swim by themselves and two 6 year olds who have swam in competitions. If you find the right program it is NEVER too early. It is dangerous to put kids into the wrong program too early because it gives them confidence when they can't truly swim. Check out swimbabes.net. They have an amazing program. It is a survival swim program that starts with infants.

my daughter started at 3 mos and loves it...she still cant do alot but knows in deeper water (ie. not the bath), she is supposed to kick and knows how to balance so she can float on her back at 11 mos. they say it's never too early to start, but that they cant truly swim until about 3 due to coordination skills. We go to our local Y and they go all year for us...have fun,

A.,

I am a swim instructor at the YMCA in Bothell, WA. I also have two kids. My son we started last summer when he was 3 1/2 ish as something special that he could do that he didn't have to share with his newborn little sister. He had a hard time getting his ears in the water (I think a side effect from many unknown ear infections when younger). But now, a year later he can very nearly dive to the bottom of the "deep" end; it's 6 feet deep. He is now almost five.

My daughter I started in the water when she was about 8 months old, and she's now 18 months. She blows bubbles, does other things, and is totally comfortable in the water.

It doesn't really matter what age you start them they usually all have the same skills by 5 years anyway. In my case my daughter will be more willing to try new things that my son isn't so thrilled with. At my YMCA we have classes for babies as young as 6 months, which I help teach. There are also formal swimming lessons for the older kids like your son that start at 3 years. There's stuff in between as well.

If you have more questions, please send me a message or email.

Melissa
____@____.com

We started my daughter at 4 or 5 months. Of course, the lessons so far are just getting her used to water, not scared of it, and instilling basic water safety (hanging on the edge, backfloating, etc). She is now 22 months and doing a little "swimming" about 3 feet to us, jumping to us, and loves just playing in the water. I would say 3 is definately okay to start. I see 3 year olds that can swim better than me. :) Also, my nieces didn't start until they were 5 or so and they had a harder time overcoming their fear of the water. Not sure if that has to do with age or just their personalities.

"Swimming Lessons" - can be a relative term. Our community center offers a 0-3 year old class that mostly involves getting little ones comfortable in the water and introducing swimming concepts...blowing bubbles, kicking, using your arms to make swimming strokes...the rest is play and singing songs...Parents are in the water holding there children through all the activities.

We've done a round of 10 classes and have signed up for another session. Our 19 month old is just beginning to understand the concept of blowing bubbles...demonstrated it in the bath last week!

So, there may be lots of options out there from all out swimming lessons to simply playing in the water and introducing concepts of swimming!

Dear A.;
2/12 isnt too young to start a child to swim lessons..
My 2 boys started around that age and a re great swimmers..
Once learned..they never forgot how to..I took them to lessons for around three years..to make sure they really knew how and felt comfortable..around three times a week...
If you have a community pool that has a wadding pool..you might go into the water with your son to get him used to the pool area..and the routine and use a locked locker for your belongings.. While in lessons..always stay close and watch what they are learning day to day..My Best to You.

Younger is better. My girlfriend, who has taught swimming for many years says they should be in the water around 1, so they don't fear it. I had mommy and me classes with my daughter starting around 9mos or so.

Rogers HS has a "warm pool" that we take our daughter to. it's a little warmer than the big pool and she can play around in the water for as long as she wants without getting cold. they also offer lessons.

There are classes for babies at 3 months old. The earlier you start the better. The older they are the more fearful they get and harder it is for them to learn. Just make sure you find a Red Cross certified swimming class.

The sooner you start the better. The YMCA offers awesome Mommy and Me "swimming" classes for infants and toddlers. Kids don't really learn to swim but they get accustomed to being in the water and they have fun playing and moving thru the water. My kids continued on at 3 in to the guppy class. They all are good swimmers and several have gone on to became certified lifeguards with the Boy Scouts. As a family we spend a lot of time around and on the water. For us swimming was a huge safety issue. L.

I put my daughter in Parent and Me classes when she was 8 months old. This summer she was in her first solo class (she had just turned 3) but she could have been in that class when she was 2 1/2. She loved being in swim class with out Mom or Dad. She passed her level and now is ready for level 2 class when we sign her up again. Depending on your sons comfort level in the pool he should definately be ready for at least a level one class.

My daughter turned 3 in June and we took lessons at the YMCA this summer and she LOVED it, there were even some infants there (but I'm not sure how much they got out of it.)

Three has definately been the magic age for swimming for both of my kids!! Both were "self-taught". The best thing is to spend time in the water and have a fun time with your boy. Fear of water can be a big hurdle.

I know you have already responded but just wanted to add one more bit. In our family we have those who love the water and those who are terrified of the water so I wanted to get my son accustomed to it while he was small to try to override those who don't like it (I am one of the lovers of water). I did his first "classes" at 9 and 10 months - he had so much fun and it gave me something different to do with him that we went two months in a row. He LOVES the water after these classes. He had just started crawling but within the first 2 weeks he didn't even want to hold on to me as he had already learned the water could be fun.
Our pool does classes with them as young as 6 months and the point is just to get them in the water and play around with little songs to pour water over their arms and feet and learn to jump of the side into your arms therefore learning to get their faces wet. My little fish will sit on the side for about a whole second and he is back in. So I started putting him into a life jacket there at the pool and off he floated-pusing me away.
Having taught classes to infants when I was a teenager as well, I found that the younger they are at least introduced to a pool, the easier it is to actually have them learn something when they are older as the "newness" of being in so much water has worn off and they can be attentive. The younger they were, the younger they learned that they could control their actions, therefore how much water was in their face, mouth, and eyes and didn't panic when someone else might be splashing around.
Enjoy the water with your little one. Basic water awareness can lead to great things.

Right now! We started our daughter a couple months ago. I had also taken baby swim classes with her when she was 6 months (through the parks and recreation). She is just over 2 so we are still in the water with her. The first couple of lessons were a little discouraging as she cried, wanted out of the pool, and did not want anything to do with the swim teacher. We stuck it out and by lesson 4 she was loving it! She can now go under water and hold her breath. We take her to Le Petite Dolphin in Beaverton. It is a warm, salt water pool (no chlorine). I think the sooner you start the better! Have fun!

Hi A.,

I don't know what the YMCA's swim class schedule is, but definitely check out Linda Riggins Swimming. They are located in Kirkland and is quite affordable. The parent-tot classes are small (4 max plus parent) and you can sign up for as many classes as you choose or you can stop anytime. If you give a week's notice there is no penalty. They are also great with vacations and sickness, so if you can give them enough notice, i think it is 24 hours but don't quote me on that, they won't charge you for the lesson. The instructors are really great too! My daughter had been going for about 6 or 7 months when the instructor felt that she was ready to move up to the next level and go into the pool by herself. They have a website too (www.lindariggins.com). i highly recommend it!

it is never to early to start swimming. my kids have been swimmimg since they were 2 or 3months old they are 4,2.9months. i started at 2 months and was swiming and jumping off the diving board at 1 year old and that was 28 years ago. the earlier you start them swimming the less they resist, and the least likely to have any fears.

It is never too soon! If the swim school will take him and your son expresses and interest in it, put him in. My son started at 3 and LOVED every second of it

3 is not too soon! If anything, its late. My kids started swimming at 1.5yrs old and my son is 10 and has passed all the classes, including the lifeguarding and cpr. I believe that the earlier they start the more they will get used to the water and come to love it rather than being afraid of the water. I belive that kids retain most of what they learn in swimming....start them early and keep them in it until they are super strong swimmers!

Hope this helps!

I think 3 is a great age to start. With my first son, we didn't start until he was 4, and I think that added to his anxiety level about the whole water experience. At 3, they're more "in their own world" and don't care as much about things going on around them, compared to at age 4. I think that works to your advantage. You might need to enroll in parent/child classes (I'm not sure what's available), but I believe the younger age is good to help quell the fear-factor about being in the water. With my second son, we waited until 4 because that's what we did the first time, but we wished we had started him at a younger age as he really took to swimming well.

Hey A.!
My kids started at two! They are never too young. Go for it!
Ang

The earlier the better. I have swam my whole life and I started swimming very young, actually I was a baby when my mom had me in the water with her. I was on a swim team when I was 6. I have three boys and started them with the mommy and baby swim lessons. When they turn 3 is when they can go in the water without you to take the lessons. I trully believe that everyone should know how to swim. It is one thing that will always stay with you.

Hope your child enjoys the water.

S.

Teaching them to swim young is great. By the time they get through the last level of swim lessons they usually have a love for it and it stays with them. Mine were 4 when they started.

I started swimming lessons the summer after my 3rd birthday (or was it my 2nd?) I was born in February. I loved it!!! I am a great swimmer now. I would start even now with your son. You can sign up for a Parent-Tot class where you are in the water with him. Lots of fun for both of you! Yes The YMCA has lessons year round.

The sooner you can get your son in to swimming lessons the better! If he's never taken any, go to your local YMCA or public pool and have them help you figure out which level to put him in (most likely beginners, even water babies where you would go in the water with him)and go from there. we started our daughter in swimming at 6 months so that she would be super comfortable in the water. I taught swim lessons for years and i could always tell which kids had started swimming early because they were more willing to get in the water. the earlier you get them started the less they will fear the water... Good luck!!

2 1/2 or 3 is good but then keep it up until 8 or nine then they can remember on their own. And if he is afraid of the water try the Mommy and Me, but go slow and go any way. Be very supportive but go anyway. Especially in this area.

3 is a great age. That is when my daughter took her lessons. She loved it. My parents have a pool and we were going to Sunriver. It taught our daughter to not be afraid to go under the water. When we were at Sunriver she would go down the big slide without a life jacket on and my husband would get her after she went in the water. She did great. I don't know if you are in Vancouver, but the lessons there were great. Both my daughters learned a lot.

D.

I first took my son swimming at five months and have been swimming with him ever since -- he's now almost 2. He loved the water from the get-go. There's definitely a school of thought that promotes swimming lessons as early as possible. When he was an infant, we took lessons from Dolfun Swim Academy, they run their classes out of the Salvation Army pool on N. Williams & Killingsworth. I think it's been a great experience for us all. My 6 yr old nephews also got into lessons very early on and are terrific swimmers...so I'd say go for it!