Whirlpools and PFD's

Today is the last day of Jalen's Swimming and Water Safety Program. Harri and I have gone to watch about 4 times and it is amazing to see how much the kids have improved just in 9 days! The women who run the program are excellent and have got the kids doing some great things.

A few days ago the kids were asked to all walk around the edge of the pool to create a whirlpool affect. The kids then had to do different things with the whirlpool going - float with the current, try to swim against the current and then try to swim away from the whirlpool. The kids thought it was great fun, but it also taught them a lot about how to be safe if they are in a current, and how to get out of it.

During this week they also had to bring along some clothes to wear in the pool. They then had to practice survival strokes, in case they ever fell in while they were in a boat etc.

They have also been using PFD's (I have even learned some things this week - I would have just called them life jackets, but the kids know the difference) and have practiced what they would do if they ever fell in with a PFD on.


Everyday after they get back to school from swimming they have a swimming journal that they have to fill out which reinforces what they have learned that day at the pool. It is amazing to see how much confident Jay is now in the water, and good to know that he has learned some survival techniques in case he ever needs to use them. This morning his teacher and I were saying it is a great program run by the Ed Department but it is a pity they don't start it in grade 1, rather than grade 3. Jay is looking forward to doing it again next year.