I taught my son how to swim today!

RAM · #1 07-15-2009, 04:30 PM

Good to know I'm not obsolete...I only see him every other weekend plus a couple of scattered weeks of vacation time throughout the year. BTW: he just turned 5.

It started when we jumped in the pool today and he did a quick dog-paddle for about a foot. Seeing him do this I had a light-bulb moment (wish I had more of these, LOL). Anyway, after about 2 hours I had him swimming in 4 feet of water (he's just under 4 feet, so he couldn't touch the bottom) and he dog-paddled about 20 feet out!

Side note: he was screaming about having to leave the pool, yet fell asleep not 15 minutes after getting home. He is still 5, ya' know! LOL

bassteban · #2 07-15-2009, 07:11 PM

Good on ya, man. I need to do the same w/my 4-yr-old, who can't quite dog-paddle.

jonathan_matos5 · #3 07-15-2009, 07:44 PM

my dad taught me how to swim when i was 5 but it was more of being thrown into the deep end of the pool.

MakiSupaStar · #4 07-15-2009, 07:55 PM

Nice. Getting a kid in the water is a great thing. Good job dad. I'm also the father of a five year old. He's a great little swimmer. Currently he's on a little swim team and he's standing up pretty consistently when we go surfing.

**Mark Wilson** · #5 07-15-2009, 08:46 PM

Good!!
As a lifeguard, nothing pisses me off more than a parent who THINKS their 4 year old can swim, but ends up sinking to the bottom.

Good for you teaching him to swim though! Keep it up!

NJL · #6 07-15-2009, 09:02 PM

all i read was the title of the thread and it already gave me a:

and a

RAM · #7 07-15-2009, 10:03 PM

, to all of you!

MJ5150 · #8 07-15-2009, 10:08 PM

Will he be ready to take out Phelps at the next summer Olympics?

-Mike

kanonfodr · #9 07-16-2009, 07:58 AM

Dude, that is awesome! It's a great thing to get little'uns into the water. Scuba diving can start at 12, that will be fun for the both of you.

Peace,
Greg

MonetBass · #10 07-16-2009, 08:11 AM

We got our 5-year-old into swim lessons for the 2nd time this summer. On our vacation he was swimming (albeit mostly dogpaddle style) both above and under water very well. Good skill to teach your kid.

jwbassman · #11 07-16-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Good skill to teach your kid.

Yes. How ironic this thread is for me to see. I just found out this morning that a good friend, our church sound man, drowned in a boating accident yesterday.

I found out that he did not know how to swim. His fiancee could not save him. I am deeply grieved by this. Something that we assume everyone should know how to do, yet no everyone learns.

Good man for teaching you child this skill. If my friend knew how to swim he may still be alive.

DigMe · #12 07-16-2009, 08:43 AM

Currently finishing up parent/child swim lessons with my 2 year old (turns two on Sunday). He can't swim yet but we made some progress.

bc

RAM · #13 07-16-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwbassman

Yes. How ironic this thread is for me to see. I just found out this morning that a good friend, our church sound man, drowned in a boating accident yesterday.

I found out that he did not know how to swim. His fiancee could not save him. I am deeply grieved by this. Something that we assume everyone should know how to do, yet no everyone learns.

Good man for teaching you child this skill. If my friend knew how to swim he may still be alive.

I'm really sorry for your loss...my condolences.

RAM · #14 07-16-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

Dude, that is awesome! It's a great thing to get little'uns into the water. Scuba diving can start at 12, that will be fun for the both of you.

Peace,
Greg

I made myself a promise when I got divorced I was gonna learn to SCUBA. I'm sooooo looking forward to not only learning, but having something like this to share with the little monkey!

guitar ed · #15 07-16-2009, 12:12 PM

Good for both of you on the swimming. My 8yo daughter is now in her 4th year of swim lessons. It was my idea, more than the wifes. I just wanted her to be comfortable in the water, to be a decent swimmer. I have no desire that she be a competitive swimmer. But then, you never know.

As a side note: Olympus camera makes a series of waterproof digital cameras, called the "tough" series. Good to 10ft/3 meters, but a lot fun for the kids. I have an old Fuji in an underwater case, and we get lots of use out of it.

edg