5 Reasons why Everyone Should Learn to Swim

Have you been considering learning how to swim? You may be in lockdown and considering taking up a new skill and hobby in the water. Swimming is an important skill to have, and there are multiple reasons why everyone should learn it. Here, we take a look into why everyone should learn to swim, and the benefits you’ll receive from it.

For Safety Measures

Safety is the number one reason why people should learn to swim. You never know when a situation will happen that may cause you to be suddenly surrounded by water.

Whether having fun in the backyard pool, going to the beach or fishing by a river, knowing water safety skills is a must for all ages.

Learning to swim gives you the skills you need to know to safely stay afloat in the water, confident to move through the water, treading water, to name but a few. Kids Alive Do The Five has more information of the water safety programs for children.

A Great Form of Exercise

Swimming is one of the best ways to get some added fitness into your lifestyle while masquerading it as play.

Doing laps in a pool will feel less like a chore than if you were to run laps in a gym. It can even be a group activity, with social benefits such as group classes, and parent and infant classes, at your local swimming pool.

Skill building

Swimming is a skill that will last throughout your lifetime. It is one of those skills that no matter how frequently you use it, your body will retain and can recall it when needed. 

Skill-building can also teach you self-discipline. This, in turn, contributes to an increase in mental focus and has a positive knock-on effect in other areas of your like, i.e., work, learning other forms of exercise, etc. Laurie is a big believer of skill building for all ages.

Healthy Competition

Not only can swimming be a recreational activity, but it can also be a passion that drives you to competition events. If you do the work and hone your skills in the pool, you can start competing in in a swimming club, or join a synchronised swimming or water polo team.

This can lead to the possibility of competing on a local, state or national level, and you may even find yourself attending the Olympics in future. Laurie has some great motivational stories from the Olympics in his podcast.

It's Fun

Above all, swimming is fun! It is a joy whether you push yourself to touch the sides of the pool as quickly as you can, or just take your leisurely time to float and allow the waters to ripple away your stress.

Swimming can be great both solo, or with a group of family and friends. Be sure to enjoy it and reap all of the benefits it can bring to you.