Are you looking for ways to further develop your child's swimming skills, even after they've obtained their 'C' certificate? Many parents think their child is 'done' with swimming after getting the 'C' certificate, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The 'C' certificate is an important milestone, but it's certainly not the endpoint. Just like with a car, it's important to regularly 'inspect' and maintain your child's swimming skills. In this article, we'll discuss 5 crucial skills that go beyond the 'C' certificate and how you can ensure your child becomes a true water enthusiast!
Why an advanced swimming MOT?
The 'C' certificate is often seen as the Dutch Standard for Swimming Safety . However, skills can quickly be lost if they are not maintained . Research shows that children lose skills within 18 months of obtaining their 'B' certificate . So, continuing to swim regularly is essential . In addition, modern swimming pools are more challenging than before, with wave pools, rapids and water slides .
A 'swimming MOT' ensures that your child not only remains water safe, but also enters the water with fun and confidence. It's an investment in your child's safety and enjoyment.
5 crucial skills after the 'C' certificate
1. Condition and endurance
After the 'C' certificate, it's important to further develop your child's condition and endurance. This can be done by swimming longer distances and increasing swimming speed. Consider:
- Swimming laps regularly
- Participating in a swimming club or association
- Games in the water that require fitness
2. Improving swimming techniques
After the 'C' certificate, there is room to perfect the various swimming techniques. Think about improving the front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke and butterfly . Good technique ensures that your child swims more efficiently and gets tired less quickly.
3. Self-reliance in unexpected situations
The 'C' certificate already teaches your child some basic skills to cope in unexpected situations, but there is always room for improvement. Consider:
- Swimming with clothes on
- Orienting underwater and avoiding obstacles
- Climbing in and out of a boat
- Dealing with currents and waves
4. Rescue skills
After the 'C' certificate, your child can learn how to help others in emergency situations. Consider:
- Throwing a lifebuoy
- Towing a drowning person
- Alerting emergency services
Courses at the lifeguard are ideal for this .
5. Fun and confidence
Last but not least: make sure your child continues to enjoy swimming! Fun is the best motivation to keep practicing and maintain swimming skills. Encourage your child to try different water activities, such as snorkelling, diving or water polo .
How do you approach the swimming MOT?
There are several ways to maintain and further develop your child's swimming skills after the 'C' certificate:
- Swimming clubs: Many swimming clubs offer special programmes for children who have obtained their 'C' certificate . Here they can improve their technique, maintain their fitness and learn new skills.
- Swimming lessons for advanced learners: Some swimming schools offer swimming lessons for advanced learners . These lessons focus on perfecting swimming technique and learning new skills.
- Lifeguard: The lifeguard offers courses in which children learn how to save themselves and others in emergency situations .
- Holiday MOT: Some organisations, such as Reddingsbrigade Peel en Maas, offer a holiday MOT to prepare children for a holiday with lots of water activities .
- Regular free swimming: Go swimming with your child regularly . Have them practice the skills they have learned and encourage them to try new things. Make it a fun family outing!
- MOT swimming: Aqua Academy, for example, organises a monthly MOT lesson for children with an ABC certificate . Zwemschool Joke also offers MOT swimming .
Find and compare swimming lessons
Finding the right swimming lesson for advanced learners can be a challenge. Use ZwemlesWijzer to easily and quickly find and compare swimming lesson providers in your city. This way you can find the best option that suits your child's needs and level. For example, compare swimming lessons in Amsterdam, swimming lessons in Rotterdam or swimming lessons in Utrecht.
Conclusion
The 'C' certificate is an important step, but it is certainly not the end of the swimming journey. By investing in a 'swimming MOT' for advanced learners, you ensure that your child remains water safe, further develops his/her skills and continues to enjoy swimming. This lays a solid foundation for a lifetime of water fun!
Ready to take your child's swimming skills to the next level? Compare swimming lesson providers in your city and find the perfect follow-up course for your water enthusiast!
