Seasonal Swim Tips: Adjusting Lessons for Summer vs. Winter

admin 01 Oct 2025

Swimming is an important year-round life skill and not just a summer activity. Whether you're splashing around in an outdoor pool in July or keeping your skills alive in a heated indoor pool in December, re-evaluating your approach to lessons is important for success. At Starfish Swim School, we know that the ideal swimming lessons are based on the environment. All swimmers of all ages need to feel safe and confident and always be making progress.

Here is our take on how to learn swim lessons through the seasons, along with tips for parents and swimmers.

Summer Swim Lesson Structure: Sun, Safety, and Fun

In summer lessons, the focus is on the opportunity to make the most of warm weather and open-air pools, building confidence in the water and improvising, while also sustaining endurance. As swimmers have more opportunity for practice at the beach, lake, or community pool, we make sure to facilitate water confidence and endurance.

Important Summer Reminders:

  • Sun Protection: Always use broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with the highest SPF, and apply at minimum 20 minutes before entering the water. Reapply every two hours or after towelling off. A rash guard provides another layer of sun protection.
  • Hydration: Just because you're in the water does not mean you are not sweating. Instruct your child to drink plenty of water before and after the lesson as well, especially on hot summer days.
  • Safety: Summer is for fun, but please don't forget the basics surrounding water safety. Be sure to help your child practise the skills learned in lessons, such as entering and exiting the pool properly, as well as always supervising kids around water.

Preparation for Winter Swim Lessons

While the summer months are focused on enjoying your time in the pool, winter lessons are the basis of long-term skills acquisition. Winter lessons are held in heated indoor pools, as the cooler months provide an opportunity to concentrate on stroke technique refinement, skill confidence, and retention of the summer skill set. Regular swim practice is vital, and a lengthy break could lead to a regression of skills.

Winter Tips:

  • Stay Warm: Have a warm change of clothes, including a hat and a warm jacket, to put on right after you are finished. A hooded towel or warm robe will also help keep heat and make the transition out of the pool much kinder.
  • Improve Techniques: The winter pool lesson takes away the distractions of the outdoors and provides an environment to focus on the finer details that elevate swimming. You can keep your focus on your breathing, body position and propulsion efficiency.
  • Build Confidence: The controlled, predictable, and soft surface of an indoor swimming pool is an ideal environment for many new swimmers to build confidence and overcome some fear of the water. By attending swimming lessons regularly over the winter, you will reinforce your skills and will be ready to make a splash this summer!

Conclusion

In the end, there is no wrong time of the year to learn how to swim. Our seasonal swim tips highlight some differences that we can implement during the summer when the main focus is on fun and endurance, versus winter when we can concentrate more on refining technique and skill in a distraction-free atmosphere. If you are looking into infant aquatics to get your little one in the water, or private swim lessons for a more personalized experience, then consistent practice is key to success.

At Starfish Swim School, we teach a lot including swimming safety tips so that our students not only learn to swim but can ultimately feel comfortable and secure in the water. Every season is a great time to jump into the water!

Are you ready to make a splash? Contact Starfish Swim School today to see what class is right for your family and what swimming journey you can undertake all year long!