This post is in collaboration with Foss Swim School, however all opinions are completely my own.
Oh my goodness, the excitement behind me starting this post is unmatched today. My girls seen the pictures I am adding here and they are circling me like sharks thinking maybe we’re getting ready to go back to swim lessons!
After swimming nearly every day in Florida while we were there for FIVE months, these girls got back to Minnesota and instantly felt like a fish out of water – quite literally. We wanted to not only embrace their love for water but also give them the skills they need to be strong, smart and safe swimmers. That’s when we found Foss Swim School, and it was a game changer.
Now, when we were in Florida I helped the girls swim the best I could. I took swimming lessons growing up, so I felt like I knew enough to get them started but it’s one thing to know how to swim and it’s another thing to know how to teach kids how to swim. They came back from our trip good swimmers, but Foss gave them the tools to be great swimmers.
First Day of Swim Lessons
On our first day of lessons, we found our lane number for each of the girls (I was able to get their lessons at almost the same exact time, which was amazing) and waited for their instructor. Once they started lessons, it went fast and they were very engaged nearly the whole time (my two year old isn’t engaged in anything for a full 30 minutes, so that wasn’t anything new there lol) but they loved it and looked forward to swim lessons every week! It was not only great exercise, but they taught them the evolved skills that have come a long ways since my day in swim lessons. They helped my 6 year old no longer feel the need to plug her nose when she went underwater, and they helped my 2 year old feel more comfortable doing basic floats and climbing in and out of the pool – both essential things to know, and even better to learn at such a young age.
My 6 year old never wanted swim lessons to be done, she always wanted to stay longer! That’s the good place to be, because each week it was never a fight to bring her there, it was more like a privilege for her that she worked hard at maintaining.
Foss Swim School Facilities
Facility-wise, I was also very impressed with Foss. They had nice family shower areas where you could shower off your kids and get the chlorine off right away, plus plenty of changing rooms and bathrooms for all the kids and families going in and out, passing through on their way to, and after getting done with, their swim lessons.
Preparing for Swim Lessons
If you’ve never brought your kids to swim lessons, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know when to start lessons and because of that they maybe get a late start at it. That’s okay, the important thing is you are taking the steps to keep your kids safe and give them a beautiful life skill they will use their whole life. Preparing for your first swim lesson might involve the following, depending on the age of your children:
- Towel(s)
- Chlorine Removing Shampoo/Conditioner
- Clean clothes for after class
- Shower before entering the pool
- Wait with your child outside of the pool until the instructor has arrived
- Prepare your child with what might take place during lessons that day (putting face in water, getting hair wet, meeting new friends, etc.)
- Bring goggles if you’re child is old enough to be going underwater on their own
- Be attentive to your child during their lesson
- Bring a ‘wet bag’ for carrying swim suits after lessons
- Use reusable swim diapers for little swimmers
If you have any questions, you can always ask the employees at the front desk before or after, or see if your instructor has a quick minute after class for any questions you might have.
—
If you haven’t enrolled your child in swim lessons yet but would like to, you can see Foss Swim School Locations here to find the location nearest to you.
Foss Swim School Giveaway
I’m elated to offer an amazing little gift pack from Foss Swim School in today’s giveaway! They’ve put together an awesome set of swim items that any winner would be lucky to receive!
As you can see here, there is a LOT to this giveaway including Foss Swim towel, chlorine-removing shampoo and conditioner, reusable swim diaper, new Foss swim goggles, Foss Swim School t-shirt, notepads and stationary, reusable ‘wet bag’, and a $50 gift card to Foss Swim School. So basically, anything you could ever need when getting started with swim lessons!
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your multiple chances to win! Giveaway ends Saturday July 24th at 12:00AM CST. Entrants must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to US citizens only.
Anita Jude
I would sign someone up who needed it awesome prize package
Jessica
Awesome post!! On my to-do list of stuff to sign my kids up for this winter!
athena graeme
I would send my daughter with her grandma while she stays with her for a few weeks at summer break!