Swimming is a valuable life skill. “I love making people enjoy the water and become water safe so if they happen to fall in the pool they can at least take care of themselves until help arrives,” said Janet Renner, coach at Valley Isle Masters Swimmers with United States Masters Swimming in Maui. The earlier your child begins the better. “I like to start at age 3 or for younger than that to find a Mommy and Me class that is about getting the parent comfortable handling their kid in the water,” said Renner.
Having a good attitude about swimming can make all the difference. “If there is fear around it, the kid picks up on it, so you want him to trust you and know that everyone can learn how to swim and enjoy the sensation of being in the water,” said Renner. Every child learns at his own pace. “Number one is to be held in the water, feel how the water moves around, get a sensation of weightlessness and be used to having water on their face and then you teach kicking,” said Renner. It can be hard for your child to move himself without first mastering how to put his face in the water.
Swimming can be a refreshing experience. “We are overly stimulated on land and when you have your ears under the water, the sensation is cool and you can shut everything out, play and splash around,” said Renner. Hawaii is the perfect place to take part in water sports. “You can enjoy the ocean, surf, paddle, canoe, snorkel or scubadive and the more capable you are, the more you can enjoy it,” said Renner. Swimming is a great sport. “Any size or shape can learn to swim; the bottom line is that if there is a desire to learn and become competent, persistent and patience will pay off and you will get better over time,” said Renner.
© 2015 Jamie Lober
