How do you decide who will tech your child to swim?  We are sure many parents ask that question. Since we have over 75 years of combined experience in the aquatic industry we thought it would be helpful to give all of our readers some helpful tips for that very important decision. First we would like to distinguish between a certified swim instructor and a certified lifeguard. Let’s start with a lifeguard. Lifeguards are very special people who go through intense training to learn how to rescue and if necessary perform the  medical assistance that a drowning victim could endure. They are trained for surveillance and rescue.  Most do not have a certification to teach swimming lessons as the two are very different. Don’t get me wrong, some lifeguards do get their swimming certification and do both as is the case at Baby Otter Andre Dawson Aquatic Center located in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Our swim instructors go through a rigorous training of months before we are certain they can work with a child in the water. Our philosophy is a child’s first experience should be private lessons one-on-one with the same instructor all week. They learn to bond and know what to expect every day they arrive.

In our experience going for lessons once a week is like starting over every week.  Our program is NOT reliant on the Red Cross or the YMCA for their certification as most swim school do.  We are a stand alone company that was recognized for our excellence and received our own state and national certification.

When you are looking for a good trained instructor remember to ask for the following: Where were they trained? How long have they been teaching? Ask to see a copy of their recent certification and also be sure they are licensed and insured. Many parents take this very important issue for granted and don’t think to ask. We also recommend that you ask for references. Finding a licensed, certified well trained instructor will be one of the most vital decisions you ever make. Don’t hire someone that you are not sure about because of  price. There is no dollar value when it comes to your child’s safety. What may appear to be cheaper up front could end up costing you more in the long run. Remember the key words used so frequently in this industry,”we will charge you $____ per class or per month  until your child swims”. In addition to checking the instructor’s qualifications find out what  UNTIL means in dollars. 

For more information on drowning prevention or finding a qualified instructor in your area please contact us at info@babyotter.org.  You can also find additional information on all aspects of aquatics on our new website www.babyotter.org.

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After returning from a day at the pool seeing all these amazing children learning to swim I reflect on how I got involved in this adventure of saving lives. When I was at a pool over 27 years ago with both of my children, my daughter decided to walk down the steps of the pool,  minutes later I found her laying on the bottom of the pool. I immediately pulled her from the water and started CPR. This one incident changed my life forever. I was now on a mission to make sure that what happened to me never happens to any other parent.

Being in the aquatic industry for over two decades I receive information on the drownings that happened. this article http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-nine-people-nearly-drown-sunday-in-palm-beach-county-20130428,0,1765684.story is what stops me in my tracks because every single one of these events were preventable. I can’t stress enough to parents, grandparents, caretakers, nanny’s child care centers, you must be sure that all layers of protection are in place and that someone knows CPR. Never leave a child unattended. Teach your children to swim. Know how to get out of a situation when going to the beach.

Be proactive when it comes to drowning instead of reactive. Understand that implementing the layers of protection will prevent a possible tragedy. At the Baby Otter Andre Dawson Aquatic Center in Fort Lauderdale Florida we teach life lessons through swimming lessons and educating parents. We are saving lives every day one child at a time.

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Two Year Old Saving His Own Life. 

If your child fell into the water would they know what to do?   Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the sunshine state spend most of our time wearing shorts, bathing suits and spending time at the beach or in the water.  The message that we hope this blog brings to parents is that once your child learns to crawl they need to take swim lessons from a licensed  professionally trained instructor like those at the Baby Otter Andre Dawson Aquatic Center near Fort Lauderdale Florida. Children do not understand fear, they learn to be afraid by what us as parents instill into their little minds. When taught to swim at  a young age  they learn a love for the water that they take with them throughout their life. Swimming is empowering, swimming is great exercise and swimming is a life saving sport. Our staff teaches with so much love, persistence, and patience  that the results of the 5 day private program are nothing short of remarkable.  The video in this post is of a child (age 2) who recently completed the Turn, Kick Reach private program. He now loves to swim and doesn’t have to be afraid. This little otterette jumps in and turns around all day long. If I can stress one important message it would be the following: Swimming is like anything else in life, you learn something new, you go home and you  practice over and over again.. The parents that put their children through our program and practice for the two weeks see remarkable results.—AMAZING SWIMMERS!!!!!!

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Swimming is  usually a favorite for kids when it comes to exercise. The movement while playing in the water gives more calorie burning than most anything else they could do while having the lowest injury rate.  There are many physical benefits of swimming, and because of the low impact children and adults with health challenges can still participate.

Overweight children and adults who don’t enjoy many sports find swimming very enjoyable. Movement in the water is easier making fitness fun for even those who have shied away from other forms of exercise. A perfect example would be a child with Juvenile Arthritis (JA). The water actually helps the stiffness and muscle aches  and prevents more extensive joint issues which occurs when there is no exercise. The therapeutic advantages of the water are undeniable and have been proven over and over again. Asthma can be an issue with other sports while the water helps strengthen the lungs and allows continual exercise.

The most important issue concerning the benefits of swimming is the safety aspect. Learning to swim at a young age allows children the ability to participate in swimming activities like  swim teams, and for parents to know that their child can survive any water incident that may occur. The peace of mind is priceless. As one of the owners of this swim school I know very well  that a drowning can happen to anyone. When my child was 17 months old she walked down the steps and was lying on the bottom of the pool. I was one of the lucky ones because I knew one of the” layers of protection” CPR, so  my child survived and is now 29 years old and a mother herself. Her children (my grandchildren) learned before they were a year old the “Turn, Kick Reach” swimming technique. Now, my 4 year old  grandson (who has gone through all of our advanced programs) swims on our swim team and my 2 year old grandson jumps in the pool all day, turns around and gets out of the pool. Even though they are great swimmers they know to never swim alone. Parent Supervision is vital. 

Spring is in the air, the weather is beautiful and swimming is on the minds of everyone. Actually, with that said swimming should be on the minds of everyone all year round here in Florida. I never  understood why parents think that drowning is seasonal (LOL).  Make swimming an important part of your families activities. It is great exercise for the entire family and an amazing bonding experience. My grandson and I sit on the bottom of the pool together making faces at each other and swimming all around picking up toys. I know he will take these experiences with him through his entire life and remember our bonding time in the water.  Teach your kids to swim young so they never know to be afraid of the water. The longer you wait the deeper the fear sets in their minds. While they are young they don’t understand to be afraid of anything. We find at Baby Otter  with over 50 years of combined experience in this industry children learn better at a younger age. For more information tour our site www.babyotter.org.

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At Baby Otter we believe in the following and live every day at the pool by these standards.

“One Hundred years from now it will not matter what our bank account was, the sort of house we lived in, or the kind of car we drove

But the world might be different because we were important in the life of a child”  

Every day another child loses their life to a senseless drowning. Our mission is to save children from drowning one child at a time.

Please visit our new non-profit website at www.babyotter.org

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We get several calls asking why we charge a set price which to a parent seems to be more expensive then other schools they call. Our unique five day private program is a loving and structured program that teaches your child to swim in just five days for one set price. If for some reason your child does not master the skill we stay with your child until they do at no extra charge. Other schools charge per month UNTIL your child learns to swim. Many parents opt to take the route that appears to be cheaper but in the end they spend twice the amount of money because it takes months to accomplish what we get done in just five days. Children are 3o year old midgets. They understand everything you say even if they can’t talk yet.  The repetition of our program with the one on one technique builds on what they learned  the day before and their confidence goes through the roof by the end of the week.  When anyone is calling for swim lessons be sure to compare apples to apples. Just because the monthly price seems cheaper that doesn’t mean that it truly is the case.

At Baby Otter Andre Dawson Aquatic Center we pride ourselves on making sure that all children know how to save themselves if they should fall into a body of water. We have many levels above that initial one but the survival comes first. Our programs are structured in a very systematic way so the children go from private to groups and then the next level of privates, and then another advanced group. In our experience we found that a child’s first experience should be private as each child has different fears and personalities.  Once they bond with the instructor (which is the same one all week), they learn to love the water in a much quicker period of time through tender loving care and knowing what to expect the next day.

Our 55 years of combined experience speaks for itself. We understand the psychology of children and teach with choices and special commands.They always know what to expect and there are no surprises to scare them.  It works famously.

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Now is the time to sign up for Swimming Lessons in the Fort Lauderdale Area

Summer is approaching and we wanted to introduce ourselves to those of you who might not know us and “reintroduce” ourselves for those who do. We are The Baby Otter Swim School, a private swim school located on the grounds of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El.  We have programs for all ages, starting at 3 months to senior citizens.

We have our own state and national certification with over 50 years of combined experience in the swimming/drowning prevention industry.  Baby Otter is a member and participates in every Broward County organization concerning drowning prevention.

As a special courtesy to those who are attending summer camp, we will gladly walk in and pick up your child, give them their private lesson and bring them back into their camp class. We will require a parent or guardian to come for the last swim class only so we can show you the proper way to practice with your child.

 

Otter Babies Infant Program (ages 3-9 months)

Your child’s first approach to the water with a parent or guardian introducing the basics of the pool in a fun and loving environment. This is a great program to get your child prepared for the private survival program.

Turn, Kick, Reach Private Program (ages 9 months and up)

Our nationally recognized unique 5 day private program that teaches your child how to save themselves if they fall into the water. The original Turn, Kick Reach technique pioneered by the owner over 40 years ago.

 

TKR Group Classes (ages 2-4)

Group classes that build on your child’s skills.  These groups make them stronger and more confident swimmers.  This class is not for beginners.

 

Beginning Strokes (ages 3 and up)

This is a 5 day private class that teaches your child how to use proper arm strokes, rolling over for air and floating on their back.  We also teach how to dive to the bottom of the pool for toys. Your child must be able to swim to start the strokes program.

 

Swim Team (ages 4 and up)

A team experience that shows swimming is a fun team sport and a great way for kids and teens to stay healthy while making lifelong friends. The swim team experience builds confidence and endurance.  Swim team is one of the safest team sports.

 

Adult Private Swim Lessons

Whether you are just learning how to swim or need to refine your skills, you are never too old to learn. Andre Dawson (the hawk) took lessons from Baby Otter at age 50.

 

Call the office today to schedule the class that best fits you and your child’s needs.

Call 954-704-0080 or email us at info@babyotterswimschool.com

Visit our website

www.babyotterswimschool.com

Like us on Facebook for promotions, updates and class schedules www.facebook.com/babyotterswimschool

 

We look forward to hearing from you!!

 

“Your Child Otter Be Swimming”®

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