Deep Down Diaper Divers

No one blinks as a 9-month-old baby floats calmly in the pool. At the Watersafe Swim School, it’s an everyday sight--about 1,000 children practice their swim techniques there each year with some infants starting as early as 2 months old. According to Ginny Flahive, owner of the swim schools in Seal Beach and Anaheim, most parents start their children with swim lessons between the ages of nine months and two years. It’s then that children become mobile and have less fear of the water.

Flahive, who has been teaching swimming for over 20 years, says most children can become water safe in 10 to 20 lessons. Although there are no guarantees, lessons offer much protection, especially for kids who have access to pools and spas.

Lessons include personalized instruction for beginners who learn to float and work on freestyle swimming and backstroke. More advance swimmers can work in groups to polish their skills including diving, butterfly and breaststroke.