As Queenslanders, learning to swim is top of the priority list for our kids. Our kids grow up surrounded by water, whether it’s by the beach, near a dam, pond or backyard swimming pool. But swimming lessons are about more than just correcting stroke and learning how to do freestyle.
Water safety is an integral part of swimming lessons for young children and we can teach our kids these important skills from 5 months old. With drowning the leading cause of death in Queensland for children aged 1 to 4, we couldn’t think of a better motivation to enrol little ones in swimming lessons as soon as possible.
Thankfully, Brisbane has some of the best swim schools in the state and one standout is Shapland Swim Schools.
At Shapland Swim Schools they’ve been perfecting their learn to swim program for several decades.
It all began in the 1930s, when Thomas “Pop” Shapland was teaching in the old Toowoomba Municipal Baths. Then, his son Bernard “Bernie” Shapland took over the reins and the lease at the Municipal Baths and began swim coaching at an elite level.
A tried and proven 5-step method of teaching kids to swim.
Now, the third generation of Shapland swim teachers, Chris Shapland, has built a franchise of swim schools and swim teachers who have adopted this simple 5-step process that was first used by “Pop” Shapland. And it doesn’t look like things will change anytime soon.
“Unless the basic laws of physics change, our unique approach to teaching swimming will continue until that day,” says Chris Shapland, when speaking of the Shapland learn to swim method.
During swimming lessons kids will gain essential water safety skills to help prevent accidents, as well as:
- Self-confidence, as they build their skills and improve technique.
- Coordination and breathing techniques.
- Skills to build upon to potentially start swimming as a sport or hobby.
- Fun! Most children love swimming lessons!
What to consider when choosing a swim school in Brisbane
When it comes to swimming lessons, we all want the best for our kids. It can be hard to decide where to send them and which swim school will suit them best.
However, there are a few important things to consider.
Class size
Chris Shapland from Shapland Swim Schools believes class size is an important consideration when choosing a swim school.
“We’ve trialled many class sizes and found a class of 3 is the most successful for a child to learn their aquatic skills”, says Chris. “A class size of 3 allows each child to receive more individual attention and accelerates their learning. Less time is wasted waiting for their turn, instead they spend more time with the teacher.”
Create a calm environment for swimming lessons
We all know how easily children become distracted, so it makes to create a calm environment for learning to swim. That’s why at Shapland Swim Schools they offer semi-private classes with only 2 classes in the pool at a time.
It’s important to take a ‘deeper’ look at the pool. Not all pools are suitable for swimming lessons for children. For instance, a Shapland pool is built with 8 depths, specifically designed to allow students to feel safe at all times, with no platforms where young children can step off into deep water.
The quality of the pool water is also an important consideration and something a parent needs to consider. When it comes to pool water, Chris Shapland believes the magna mineral water they use in Shapland pools is the ultimate ‘healthy water’. This water has been used for its healing qualities for centuries, and instead of your standard salt or chlorine pool, it’s a blend of Magnesium and Potassium Chloride.
With summer just around the corner, now is a wonderful time to enrol your kids in swimming lessons and get in the water with your children to practice the skills they learn from their swim instructors.
With a dozen swim schools across Brisbane, there’s sure to be a Shapland Swim School near you, making swimming lessons not only fun, but convenient!
With Shapland Swim Schools you can manage your swimming lessons online, with access to cancel a lesson, book a make-up and pay your account, all from the comfort of your home.
Contact Shapland Swim Schools on 1300 TO SWIM (1300 86 7946) or book a swimming lesson online.
From Shapland Swim Schools
