Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2016 | Page 50

Summer Camp 2016
Dive into
Summer
Aquamania Swimming Limited is a
great programme to prepare youngsters
for the water. Initially children learn
safety skills in and around the water,
and later we provide the swimming
skills needed for competitive level.
Lesley teaches the Aquatots
(parent & tot) classes, which cater to
children 12 – 36 months. She says “at
Aquamania, we take the TLC approach
to the lessons. Rather than learn to
swim classes, they are an Orientation
to Water. We teach the parents how
to better help their youngsters in and
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around the water.” Aquamania also of-
fers lessons to 20 of the island’s schools,
preschools and nurseries. Aquamania
accepts children with special needs,
providing there is prior direct consulta-
tion with staff and parents, on how best
to teach their child.
The Three plus programme, caters
to non-swimmers, beginners and ad-
vanced beginners. Aquamania’s initial
goal is teaching them about water
safety. We teach submersion, floats,
glides, treading water, kicking, and ex-
its. We encourage submersion as early
as possible but do not force any partici-
pants under water if they are clearly not
ready. For the more advanced swim-
mers they are taught more involved
stroke techniques, turns and diving.
A few years ago we introduced the
RED CROSS’ Basic Water Safety and
Junior Lifeguard courses, and taught
them with the Basic CPR and FIRST
AID course. Certification for these
programmes starts at 12 years of age.
Instructor training is also offer to 13
and 14 years old and our instructors
range from 15 to 50.