Teaching Swimming: Pros & Cons Of Shallow Water Over Deep

Pros & Cons Of Shallow Water Over Deep When Teaching Swimming

Beginner swimmers often learn faster and with more confidence in shallow water than in deep water but with a lot of help and plenty of encouragement, there should be no problems teaching students in deeper water. Sometimes however only shallow water will do because of students' fear.

Shallow Water Is Sometimes The Best

I have worked in several swimming pools over the years and had plenty of opportunities to observe the pros and cons of both learning in shallow water and deep water and I have to say that I far prefer to teach children swimming, in shallow water.

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More Willing To Experiment

Students learning in shallow water, once you get a student to overcome their fear of getting their head underwater, are far more willing to experiment with what they can do in the water than they are in deep water. This is true, particularly for learn to swim adults because they have usually had many years of fear programmed into their psyche. Knowing that if things go pear-shaped you can always stand up is very empowering.

But if you can help a new student feel safe, deep water then becomes the same as shallow water. In fact, there comes a point in every swimming student's life when they have to graduate to deep water or they cannot improve. At some stage, you have to learn to feel safe in the deepwater especially when you cannot touch the bottom of the swimming pool or the sea.

There is no question in my mind that getting a student through the first stages of learning to swim is easier when they can touch the bottom, but once those first stages are worked through, it is my impression that most swim students will improve faster in deep water. You must be safe in that deep water of course, with an instructor or other responsible person who knows what they are doing enough to keep you safe.

Enjoy     
Richard