Learning to Swim with Puddle Ducks

February 10, 2015

 

I was so excited when we were offered the chance to work with Puddle Ducks South Lancashire; I had heard of them already but was keen learn more and experience their swimming lessons for ourselves. To my shame, swimming skills have been low on our list of priorities in the last year or so. Lucas is not a natural in the water: even as a baby he would cry through every bath time and when we braved the swimming pool he would just cling on to us. It definitely left me feeling less confident to the point when I wasn’t even sure where to start with swimming lessons for him. I knew he would be a challenge to teach but I also knew the longer I left it the worse it would be.

After speaking to Puddle Ducks I felt totally reassured that these would be the classes for him. Their whole philosophy is to make babies, toddlers and children confident in the water, not just with swimming skills but also with water safety and survival skills. The Puddle Ducks swimming lessons are taught in a warm pool with a highly-trained teacher and each class has a maximum of ten children. They want it to be a positive experience for your child, whatever their age, and make it as fun as possible with songs and games. The classes start from birth and whatever stage your child may be with swimming there will be something for you. Lucas started in the Kickers class, for children 18 months plus, as he isn’t confident in water. I go into the pool with him for the half hour session and there is one teacher and a poolside assistant. We have only had a couple of classes and I will do a full review at the end of our lessons but I wanted to write about our first impressions. I’m sure there are other parents like us out there, dreading the thought of swimming lessons and you are not alone!

One of the things I love the most is that right from the start they put me at ease. I’m sure they could tell that I was worried about how Lucas would be in the water but they reassured me straight away. He went into the pool area quite eagerly but as soon as he hit the water panic set in and he started to get upset, clinging onto me. They were happy to let him settle in his own time while still encouraging him to take part. Our teacher engaged him in all the activities and had something ready for him to try on a lower level if he wasn’t ready to keep up with the other children. She reassured me that this was normal and not to worry and gradually he started to calm down. By the end of the lesson we had a few smiles and he was trying to join in – already he was happier in the water. Even better, on the way home he told me he had had fun and was looking forward to next week and ‘riding seahorses.’

There are still a few tears in the water but each week I see him try something new and do things I wasn’t sure we would ever see. It has also left me feeling more confident in handling him in the water; I am certain that the more relaxed I am the better it is for Lucas. The people at Puddle Ducks are always there for me to talk to if I have any concerns and I feel like they really will get the very best out of Lucas in the pool. This week is our pyjama party, designed to teach water survival skills, so we are really looking forward to it –  every week brings something new to try! Look out for more on our Puddle Ducks lessons and I’m excited to share how far Lucas has come on his swimming journey.  You can follow all the news from Puddle Ducks South Lancashire on Twitter and Facebook, they are very friendly and helpful and happy to answer any questions.

I had to share this photo taken of Lucas after his first lesson, so happy and I felt so proud of what he had achieved!

Puddle Ducks Swimming

 

Disclosure – We have received a series of Puddle Ducks swimming lessons for free but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

 

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29 Comments

  • Mel @mydaysni

    I really ought to take my boys swimming, I think it is an important skill, yet I can’t bring myself to go in the winter months! Looks like you guys had a fun experience #triedtested

    February 10, 2015 at 9:41 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      We have a lovely warm pool to go to so that does help! I have been very neglectful of ours but feel better now we have started!

      February 11, 2015 at 9:14 am Reply
  • mummyofboygirltwins

    So glad it is going well. That’s great news. I can’t wait to take mine to swimming lessons and will absolutely be looking for Puddle Ducks in our area. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Jess xx

    February 10, 2015 at 9:48 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      They really are fantastic, might be good for you with Lottie especially as I’m sure she would want you in the pool with you! xx

      February 11, 2015 at 9:15 am Reply
  • Jaime Oliver

    I must check to see if they have any near me, we are just looking for lesson for Joshua

    February 10, 2015 at 11:26 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      They are all over so you should be able to find some, I really would recommend them!

      February 11, 2015 at 9:15 am Reply
  • Donna

    These sound like such wonderful lessons. LP goes every week on a Wednesday afternoon to lessons at our local leisure centre but a program like Puddle Ducks sounds so much better! x

    February 10, 2015 at 12:48 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I think most lessons are great if your child is confident in the water but I know Lucas just couldn’t have done it without these tailored lessons, they have really made a difference to both of us xx

      February 11, 2015 at 9:17 am Reply
  • Kim Carberry

    This sounds fantastic….It sounds like things are going really well. x

    February 10, 2015 at 1:12 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      They are thank you, I am so pleased with him xx

      February 11, 2015 at 9:17 am Reply
  • Polly Mixtures

    Puddle Ducks is the *cutest* name for swimming lessons! #triedtested

    February 10, 2015 at 4:54 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I know! Lucas loves that I say we are going to Puddle Ducks 🙂

      February 11, 2015 at 9:18 am Reply
  • Katy {What Katy Said}

    I really need to get my act together with the girls and their swimming. Puddle Ducks seem like a lovely swimming school!

    February 10, 2015 at 7:15 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      That’s what I felt like Katy, I was ashamed to admit that we hadn’t taken Lucas to a pool in over 18 months but they were do good with us both. Better late than never!

      February 11, 2015 at 9:19 am Reply
  • rachel

    Both my girls love swimming yet I am petrified of water. I am so happy they haven’t developed my fear. Its great exercise too 🙂 x

    February 10, 2015 at 9:54 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      It’s so good that they love it, it is important for them isn’t it but must be hard when you don’t really like it! xx

      February 11, 2015 at 9:19 am Reply
  • SArah Christie

    Ah swimming confidence is so important, Joe lost his confidence when he was about 7, up to that he could swim like a fish, but has almost forgotten how to swim. He is slowly improving but it was awful to see him loose his confidence x

    February 10, 2015 at 10:45 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Oh that is a shame, it’s hard isn’t it because you can’t force them to be confident in water it is something that just needs time to develop. I don’t think Lucas will ever really love it, I just want him to know enough to look after himself! xx

      February 11, 2015 at 9:21 am Reply
  • Tina

    Ahhh I’ve been thinking about getting Lyla swimming lessons for her birthday in April! I wasn’t sure if it was pointless and entirely too soon but clearly it’s not!!!!! So glad he’s doing so well 🙂

    February 11, 2015 at 3:23 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      A lot of people start off as soon as they can here but these are more about learning to be happy in the water rather than actual swimming skills, which is perfect for Lucas. I bet Lyla would love it!

      February 11, 2015 at 9:21 am Reply
  • Mini Travellers

    So glad it was fab, we loved Puddleducks when Lily was a baby but couldn’t manage it with the twins due to no of hands required! At 3.5 and 4.5 they are all back swimming at local lessons. Love swimming.

    February 11, 2015 at 7:55 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I know it is hard with twins, Puddle Ducks have been very accommodating though and we are hoping to get the twins into lessons with their help!Good to know that yours enjoy it later on too though!

      February 11, 2015 at 9:23 am Reply
  • Not A Frumpy Mum

    We did a term at Puddle Ducks and they were great but O just wasn’t a huge fan and he was starting to get upset when I pulled up in the pool car park so we didn’t renew. I keep meaning to try again with him now that he’s a bit older to see if he’s a bit keener. He’s not bothered by the water, I just think he wanted to do his own thing! x

    February 11, 2015 at 1:37 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Ahh that is a shame, I know we couldn’t have done it with Lucas when he was young but now he is old enough I can explain to him (and bribe him) a little more it seems to have worked! These classes are just right for him as he can go at his own pace, O will get there when he’s ready! xx

      February 12, 2015 at 9:39 pm Reply
  • Jenna

    I’ve heard so many great things about Puddleducks.

    I think it’s great they are happy to ease children in gently and let them get used to the pool at their own pace! 🙂

    Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx

    February 11, 2015 at 10:31 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      That is what I love so much about them, Lucas isn’t forced to do anything…but gently encouraged 🙂

      February 12, 2015 at 9:40 pm Reply
  • Kat | Beau Twins

    Well done Lucas and well done you! Fab post darling! I can’t wait to take the girls. Bit awkward on your own thought right? I will have to convince Matt he HAS to come too! I bet they don’t have a Puddle Ducks round here!! xx

    February 12, 2015 at 6:30 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Kat you should look into it, ours are very accommodating and would try to help you even on your own with twins. You would think someone would have started twin swimming lessons by now!! I know my twins would love it but I need to get Lucas sorted first then we’ll try them! Thank you! xx

      February 12, 2015 at 9:41 pm Reply
  • Katie

    So glad he’s starting to get used to the water, he looks so proud of himself!

    February 14, 2015 at 11:27 pm Reply
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