Menu

What Kids and Young Adults Love About Swimming and Diving

VWB Blog 2 years ago 31

Swimming and diving is an age-old sport that can be fun and rewarding. Improving water skills has numerous benefits for children and young adults, both in and out of the water.

Some of the main benefits of swimming and diving include:

  • Building endurance and strength
  • Becoming more flexible and balanced
  • Improving breath control
  • Building resilience

Kids like swimming and diving because it’s a way to be active, get some exercise, and have fun, but there are additional benefits outside of the water to consider as well.

It’s All About The Friends.

Swimming is a great way to meet new people and make friends. There’s something about being in the water that brings people together and helps them bond. Friendships are formed at the pool and on swim teams, and these bonds can last a lifetime.

For early swimmers, bonds can be formed around conquering the fear of swimming and building confidence in the water together, in parallel. For older swimmers, the thrill of competing together and supporting each other in practice and at swim meets will bring them together. In both cases the pool serves as a common space where children and young adults come together to build relationships.

It’s Fun to Compete.

Kids love the adrenaline rush from competing in front of a crowd. They also love having teammates and coaches who encourage them to do their best, celebrate their accomplishments, and learn from their mistakes.

Swimming and diving are two sports where kids can see instant results from their hard work by improving their times or scores. There’s no better feeling than watching your kid go from barely keeping up to being one of the fastest swimmers on their team (for both the parent and the swimmer).

It Can Be a Career.

Water is a great place to play, but it’s also a great place to work. If your child loves playing in the water and wants to make a career out of it, here are some attractive options:

Lifeguard

Lifeguard is one of the most popular jobs for young people who love swimming. This job allows people to enjoy the water while making money. Lifeguards can earn between $10 and $20 an hour depending on experience, location, etc. It’s also a great way to build and practice responsibility at a young age.

Aquarist / Biologist

Aquarists work in aquariums like SeaWorld or at zoos caring for fish, reptiles and other animals that live in watery habitats. They clean tanks, feed animals and answer visitors’ questions about them. Biologists who specialize in fresh or saltwater environments utilize diving skills for field work. Although being in the water only represents part of the job, you must be a proficient swimmer to qualify.

Professional athlete

For high performers, becoming a professional swimmer, diver, or water polo player might be a viable option. If your child demonstrates a high level of competence early on, and enjoys their sport, don’t rule out the possibility of professional athletics.

Coach

A coach is a great part- or full-time job for someone who loves water sports. Coaches train athletes at all levels, from beginners to Olympians. Teaching others how to swim, or how to perfect their craft to be the best at what they do is extremely rewarding.

It’s a Life-Long Skill.

Swimming is an important skill for everyone to have at a base level and for those who really enjoy it, can be part of a health career path. Most cities have a summer programs for local children and young adults to learn and improve their swimming. For young adults interested in competing at a higher level, dedicated swim and dive programs at schools can put them on the right track to achieving their goals.

Written By