Swimming lessons for scared 6 year old? Post Reply

[Mamaluca]

My 6 year old son has always been scared of the water. He just managed to put his head under water after a few private swimming lessons abroad. I'd like to capitalise on this act of courage by continuing swimming lessons here. I'm looking for one-to-one lessons, or a very small group, in a heated pool, and over the weekend so that we can take him. Any recommendations for a really patient and fun teacher?

[mragardner]

Not a qualified swimming instructor but taught chldren to swim.

Happy to do a Sunday mid afternoon. PM me if this is of interest.

My background, Male nanny for past 5 years in London. Currently looking after 4 children and teaching 2 of them to swim ☺

[Blueshorthair]

I'd recommend Deleen who does one to one lessons at Balham and Latchmere pools. She taught my very nervous 4 year old for 4 lessons - he was terrified of the water when we started and made real progress with her. Ring Latchmere and speak to Luke to arrange.

Avoid Water Nippers who operate out of Trinity Road hydro pool. Awful admin and the 3 teachers my son had were disinterested and at one point actually pushed him underwater despite his obvious fear and tears.

[wworthcommoner]

Following this as I am also looking for recommendations

Agree with the earlier poster about avoiding Water Nippers. My daughter is more terrified of swimming after these lessons as she too was pushed underwater even though she was clearly afraid.

[jg75]

We also had a bad experience with Water Nippers when my little one was very little. We didn't do swimming with her for another couple of years as she was very nervous around the water. We then went for lessons with Cindy's Swim School, who do lessons in private pools in Earlsfield and Balham (I think). She had a super teacher called Martina who has since left, and she now is really confident in the water and asks to go swimming all the time.

Maybe call up Cindy's Swim School and ask them which teacher would be gentle with a swimmer lacking confidence?

[Bubs]

We had a similar issue with our eldest daughter, we opted for 2:1 lessons at Emanuel and you would never guess now how utterly petrified she used to be - others now comment on how beautifully she swims. We've been v pleased.

Now have the opposite issue with our youngest who is adamant she will never wear arm bands or a float jacket because she's confident she can swim by herself (she can't, she sinks). So she's about to start lessons there too!

[Bubs]

That's SW Swimming at Emanuel school by the way - I realised I wasn't very clear!