Regular readers will know that earlier in the year we were chosen by Konfidence to be Official Swimologists. I had wanted to take Baby swimming ever since she was born, but my own personal body image hang ups, had prevented me from taking the plunge! When we were given the opportunity by Konfidence, it gave me the necessary push to put my own insecurities to the side and say a big yes! I didn’t want to go to a local pool, as bumping into people I know while donning a swimming costume wasn’t high on my wish list. So, Konfidence booked Baby onto a Baby swimming course with Aquababies West, which runs from Marlborough Leisure Centre.
Aquababies West offer Baby and Toddler Swimming courses at various pools in Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol, Swindon and the West Country. All the instructors are qualified lifeguards and parents of young children. Aquababies West was set up by husband and wife Eddie and Lora (and their young son Zach, who was the inspiration).
Baby has been swimming with Aquababies West for just over four months. At the first lesson I thought that there was no way she would take to swimming, as she screamed and screamed. I was concerned for her and for the other parent’s ears! However, our instructor Kate kept reassuring me that everyone had been there, which did help. No-one likes to feel like they are ruining someone else’s experience. The group were also really friendly and supportive, which is just what I needed as a worried mum! Baby exhausted herself after the first lesson and I can’t say I was particularly looking forward to the following week, but glutton’s for punishment, we continued.
Each week Baby improved and by the fourth lesson, she was the same as the other children, even going underwater. By week seven Baby jumped in from standing on a float! I am not sure I have ever been as proud in my entire life. Kate has been our instructor throughout all our lessons, which I think has helped both Baby’s and my confidence. I trust Kate 100%, which is pretty important in this situation, Baby loves her too and often requests additional high fives, which Kate always obliges with! After the initial course Baby moved up to the Advanced Toddler group, which showed how much she had progressed.
Currently, Kate is encouraging the children to swim more independently, just short distances of swimming either to the wall or to mummy, which Baby is happy to do. I can’t wait to see how Baby progresses in the next course she is enrolled on.
I cannot recommend Aquababies West highly enough and am so grateful to them and Konfidence for sponsoring Baby’s swimming journey.
Disclosure: Aquababies West kindly gave us a five week swimming course. All opinions are my own and are 100% honest.