Seventy-five percent of our planet is water – can you swim?  ~Author Unknown

I started doing my taxes the other day. Yes, I’m a bit of an eager beaver, but who isn’t when it comes to getting money back? I noticed that you can now claim up to $500 per child for both fitness and arts! This is a welcome bonus for parents who put their kids in every activity imaginable. We haven’t gone overboard (yet), but I thought I’d share my opinion on one of the girls’ activities, swimming at Aquaventures.

Neither Mrs. Popthoughts nor I are able to swim, so we agreed it was a must that our kids would learn how. Nothing sucks more than being on a beautiful beach staring out into clear blue water, and being afraid to dive in. It is a life skill I think everyone should have, and it would be nice to know our kids might be able to save mom or pop should we need it. =)

Aquaventures is a private pool specifically for children’s lessons. You can start your kid as early as 6 months old, and I found it really helped our girls build the foundation of getting comfortable in the water, learning how to breathe properly, etc. The instructors are great with the kids and are very good at easing any fears and encouraging them. Class sizes are nice and small – 6 for kids under 3 with a parent, and 4 for kids 3 and up who go on their own. My 3 year old started going without one of us in the pool with her this year, and I was afraid she’d be terrified. She started out a bit tentative, but sure enough, after about 3 lessons, she’s back to her daredevil self.

I have to say Aquaventures is pretty pricey, but I am in awe seeing the older kids doing lengths and working on technique! Granted we haven’t taken the girls anywhere else for lessons, so we have nothing to compare to, but anyone I have spoken to that has tried a community centre and Aquaventures says they just doesn’t compare. If that doesn’t convince you, just try registering your kid. You need to email them the exact second registration opens if you want a good shot at the time slot you want, or else you’ll have to take what you can or get on a waitlist and cross your fingers. Luckily once you’re “in the club”, you can re-register for the next session earlier.

Would taking the girls to any old place for lessons be just as good? Maybe. All I know is that my 3 year old daughter is already a better swimmer than her dad, even though that isn’t saying much.