Spotlight: Survival Swim Instructor

In the Greater Toronto Area, swimming skills are a necessity, not a luxury. We’ve had parents tell me they don’t want to do lessons, because they don’t want to see their children upset. When our children scream that they don’t want to go to bed or eat their vegetables or take their medicine, we don’t just give in and say “Okay. It’s up to you.” Keep in mind that it is not fear your child is experiencing, but anger. A child with no swimming or floating skills has no control in the water. We all know when we have no control over a situation, we get frustrated and angry. It is the same for our children. My advice, then, is to think of swimming as a vital part of your child’s development, and treat it accordingly. Be patient with your child, but do not give him the choice with regard to learning to swim.

Safety tips for moms of babies and toddlers?

Felix's Swim Schools: Avoid water wings! The only time your child should use water wings or other floaties is when you are there right beside him. Floaties give children a false sense of security. I so often see toddlers with water wings jump into water way over their heads and that is an accident waiting to happen. The wings can easily slip off or pop. Regardless, if a child can’t swim, the only time she should be in water over her head is in the arms of an adult.

The solution here is a life jacket, preferably one approved for boating by the Coast Guard, which are readily available. While that doesn’t eliminate the problem of your child venturing into deep water, a life jacket is a much safer alternative at times when you know you may get distracted.

General advice

Go to the beach more. It always seems like a lot of work to get us to the beach, but when we do, I always wonder why we don’t go more often.

Learn more about Leigh Ann and the skills she teaches at Felix's Swim Schools at his website at felixswimschools.com

315 Osler St, Toronto, ON, Canada, Pool access from rear parking,

M6N 2Z4

647-871-7171