squidkid.

The best time to teach your kids to swim is in the “off” season. I’m not talking about getting a jump on things in the spring. I’m talking about getting your children enrolled in a great swim plan during the coldest months of the year — December, January and February.

I begin my first squidkid swim blog post (welcome!) on this chilly pre-New Years Eve Day by taking apart one of the biggest misconceptions about swimming: That swimming is an activity we do in warm, or summer, weather.

I can name the Top Five reasons why the coldest months of the year are the best time to teach your children to swim:

1. Swim Instructors are well-rested. Your kid will not be treated like another number and will receive better one-on-one attention, guaranteed.
2. You’ll get the consistent lesson times you want & need. Because 500 other families aren’t competing for instructors, you’ll find more flexibility when scheduling lessons. This makes a difference when juggling meals, naps, and traffic.
3. More pool peace = better progress. From more parking spaces at the facility to less crying chaos in the pool, you’ll see your child swim safer, faster, and more comfortable than if you tried the feat in the traditional busy months.
4. The best swim programs offer a year-round program in a warm, indoor pool. Definition of warm means at least 88 degrees where you can see the steam rise off the water. Call and ask.
5. Swimming becomes a year-round skill. It’s a fact of life kids can fall into a pool at any season. Need I say more?

By the way, August is one of the worst months to teach your child swim. Shall I name the Top Three reasons why?

1. Swim Instructor burn-out. You’ll be lucky if your instructor remembers your kid’s name, let alone what he needs to learn, at this point in the game.
2. Lack of Swim Instructors. All the college kids who treat teaching swimming as a summer job are going back to school and/or taking some time off for fun before they leave. I always plan for my own vacation during the last two months of August and first week of September.
3. Last minute cancellations = lost $$$. I’m talking about the cancellations you’re going to initiate due to last-minute vacations, school starting back up, and general summer burn-out. This the reason why I plan my time off at this time. Believe me on this one — I’ve measured your August swim patterns for years and you’re just not around.

For year-round swimmers and swim teachers, there is no such thing as an “off” season. Do you have your children enrolled in an “off” season swim program? Is it working out for you?