Equipment List

Important “tools” of our trade…

Swim diapers and goggles are mandatory… The rest is optional.

Below is a list of items that can be helpful when learning how to swim. Some are household items and others can be found in our retail department. Feel free to ask for help or additional tips at your site. You can also check out our homework tips.

Tub AND shower! – A tub is very useful once a child is ready to submerge part or all of there face, however, showers help desensitize children to splashing water around and on their face significantly better than a bathtub. They’ll be more prepared for the splashing and water that comes from ALL directions during swim lessons. Use the tub for light submersion of just to their ears or working on monkey cheeks. Try the tub for developing some floating skills, like keeping that giraffe neck long and their chin up.

A cup – A cup is most useful for pouring small amounts of water on “parts” of their face. A tub or shower can be an intimidating amount of water but pouring a little over their cheeks, nose, and hair a little at a time helps build confidence.

Goggles – Goggles help protect the eyes while underwater and aid in seeing a whole new world. They aren’t required and it is best to remind them they don’t need to wear goggles to swim but they do help a lot!

Spoons – Spoons can simply be a tool to help a child put their ears in. Tap them on the bottom of the tub and have them listen to what it sounds like with their ear in.

Proper swim suit – Don’t use big baggy suits. A snug fitting suit saves energy and helps them swim faster! It can take up to 2x longer for a swimmer to swim the length of a pool wearing a baggy swim suit. One piece suits for girls and “jammers” (tight-fitting from waist to above knee, think spandex) for boys are best. Infants and toddlers may benefit most from a Float Suit (one with built in floats). Keep in mind, a Float Suit isn’t a babysitter and the best protection for your swimmer is your eyes.

A plastic mirror – A plastic mirror is very helpful at aiding a child to put there face in.

Noodles – We use noodles in many ways. They assist swimmers in maintaining proper body positioning while isolating skills. This practice helps swimmers to gain appropriate strength for swimming efficiently.

Progressive Backfloat – Also known as a “powerpack” this tool has 4 layers of floats that can be removed one at-a-time. This type of float assists in teaching a child to “flip” or roll over for a breath. This is the correct way to breath while learning to swim. If a child breaths by pulling their face out of the water, a “pop up” breath, they will become vertical. When a child becomes vertical their forward motion stops and the affect of gravity causes them to sink. Remember, just ROLL with it!

Swim pants – Did you know it is a state law for children up to 3 yrs old to wear swim pants? We know some children are trained by this but you just NEVER KNOW what can trigger an accident.  Don’t let your little “CutiePie” spoil the fun for everyone, they must wear Swim Pants!

Fins – Your swimmer will develop strength and proper use of all body parts better with the aid of fins. Regular flippers just don’t work for the best development of a kick. We HIGHLY recommend you purchase a pair of fins. Fins are available for purchase at all Foss Swim School locations. Talk to a staff member… They can help direct you to the right pair for your needs.

Swim caps and dechlorinating hair/body care products – Take care of your body before and after you swim. You may need a little practice putting swim caps on, but once you’ve figured it out the benefits are worth the work! Hair is less damaged  by chlorine. Use shampoo/body wash that states it will specifically remove chlorine. Some of us react differently to chlorine and a little rinse off is just what the Dr. ordered!

Mesh bag – Get a Mesh Bag to keep your gear in and the air out. Goggles, kickboards, swim buoys, a shammy or towel… mesh breathes and helps items dry. Be less wet, less moldy, and less stinky! Plus… you can see what’s in there without even opening it! Don’t leave home without your goggles again!

Comments on “Swimming Equipment/Tools Guide”...

1. 
   September 16th, 2009
   9:55 pm
   Deb
   

   Do you have saltwater, chlorine, or moss pools? We are specifically looking for saltwater pools for swimming lessons for our toddlers. If you don’t do you know of any others in the east metro (Woodbury) area? Thanks!

2. 
   September 24th, 2009
   1:14 pm
   sfoss
   

   All our our pools are chlorine although we’ve tried many other systems throughout the years that drastically reduce the need for chlorine. In the end chlorine is the most consistent for us and keeps our pools safe and clean 24/7. I don’t know of any saltwater or moss pools here in the Minneapolis area. If you find any, please let us know what you found and how that water is or isn’t different? If we did use moss that would be quite a marketing gig….Swim in moss at Foss….!