Get Ready for Summer Swimming!

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. You know what that means – summer is coming! Here’s what you need to know to be prepared for all the beach days and pool parties coming your way.

Swim lessons

Making sure your kid is safe around the water is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for a San Diego summer. Swim lessons are a great way to make sure your kid will be safe in the ocean or a pool.

Your baby can begin taking swim lessons as early as three months! San Diego has a number of small neighborhood swim schools like Murray Callan in PB that offer lessons for babies and toddlers. If your kid is three or older, you can enroll in group lessons at your community pool, the YMCA, or specialized swim schools. You can also take private lessons, and even have an instructor come to your backyard or neighborhood pool. 2.5 Kids has a complete list of swim schools in San Diego (link to http://2point5kids.com/swim-lessons/San-Diego-Swim-Lessons/).

To learn more about swim lessons and how much they cost, visit 2.5 Kids Learning to Swim/.

Summer is also a great time to enroll your kid in the local swim team. Swim teams offer a great way to improve swimming skills, allow your kid to make great friends and be a part of a team, and give you a great excuse to hang out at the pool during those hot summer months.

Swimming Safety

Splashing in the waves at the beach and going to a pool party are some of the most memorable summer activities…remember to be safe.  Keep these simple tips in mind:

1. Always supervise your kids in and near the water — even in shallow water (kids can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.)
2. Don’t rely on floating toys to keep the kids safe
3. Enroll them in swim lessons
4. Pay attention to surf conditions
5. Always wear a life jacket when boating – even if you are a strong swimmer.

Sunscreen

Not all sunscreens are created equal. The FDA recently changed the way sunscreens can be marketed. You will no longer find SPF labels over 50 or see the terms “waterproof,” “sweatproof,” or “sun block.” To best protect yourself and your kids, look for the following labels:

• Broad spectrum. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays contribute to aging and skin cancer, and UVB rays are the chief cause of sunburns.
• SPF 15 or higher. SPFs lower than 15 have not been found to prevent skin cancer or aging.
• Very water resistant. The FDA defines water resistant sunscreen as meaning that the SPF level stays effective after 40 minutes in the water. Very water resistant means it holds after 80 minutes of swimming.

Remember to always apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every 2 hours.

Don’t forget to wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing when possible. Rash guards offer a great way to keep kids covered at the beach or the pool.

About the Author

Shannon Sundwall is an expert parent at 2.5 Kids (link to http://2point5kids.com) and Certified USA Swimming Coach and Water Safety Instructor.  She is also a La Jolla Elementary School teacher, private tutor and mom to beautiful daughter, Cate.  Connect directly with shannon at LaJollaTeacher.com (link to http://lajollateacher.com/).