Your swimming questions answered

12:10pm Saturday 17th February 2007

IN this week's swimming tips column by swimming teacher Victoria Pettit we look at some of the questions asked by parents.

Are intensive courses worthwhile?

Over the half-term periods and summer holidays intensive swimming courses take place.

Most parents are unsure whether an intensive course will benefit their child.

At Splish Splosh we believe that it does. It gives a child a boost in terms of being able to practise over a smaller amount of time.

Normally in most intensive classes children tend to progress over the week and by the time they have finished they have developed their skills ready to go back to their normal weekly lessons or indeed ready for them to go off on holiday.

Are swim discs better than blow-up armbands?

I learnt to swim with blow up armbands and while it didn't hamper me, as I became a backstroke swimmer for my school and even beat the girl who went on to swim for England.

There has to be something to be said for the restrictions blow-up armbands place on a child's arm.

At Splish Splosh we believe in using the swim discs, they allow more movement in the arm and they can also be added to or deducted.

Most children start off with two swim discs on each arms and then we can work with the children to progress them down to one, then none. With the blow-up armbands, you have only the option to deflate them.

More hints and tips next week.

Meanwhile if you have any questions you would like answering in the column, whether it be for adult, babies or children.

Please send your questions to splishsploshswimmingschoool@yahoo.co.uk and we will answer your questions in the next column or by return email.