Swimming is magic. It burns energy, builds confidence and gives our kids a life skill we pray they’ll never need, but absolutely must have. And as mums, nothing hits harder than knowing water is one of the biggest risks our little ones face. It takes seconds for things to go wrong.
And that’s why it counts. With 50% off learn-to-swim classes from Parent and Child through to Adult this January, there’s no better moment to boost your child’s confidence and set them up for a safer summer.
Because behind every splash, giggle and kickboard is a parent quietly hoping their child is safer today than they were yesterday. Swimming lessons are an investment in our children – a key element of their education. Not only are they a confidence builder and life skill, but most often, they are also the difference between panic and survival.
But here’s the problem … water safety myths float around like half-deflated pool toys – they’re comforting, colourful and completely unreliable. And believing them? That’s where families can get caught out.
Kingswim gets it. Their mission is simple – build confident, capable swimmers and help families understand the layers of protection that actually matter. Lessons for babies, kids and even adults all stack up to a calmer, safer summer.
If you’ve ever stared at your child in the water and wondered, “Are they actually safer?” let’s clear the air.
Here are the myths mums need to stop believing, like yesterday!
Myth 1: Babies Are Born Knowing How To Float
Oh bless. As if babies arrive with their own pool licence.
They don’t.
Those cute reflexes look impressive, but they’re not survival skills. Babies also try to eat lint off the floor, so we’re not trusting them with buoyancy.
Early lessons build comfort, trust and familiarity, so babies don’t freak out like startled possums the moment water hits their face.
Myth 2: Swimming Lessons Make Kids Waterproof
Imagine! Sadly, no.
Swimming lessons give kids confidence and skills, not a magical Aquaman force field. Kids get tired, distracted and overwhelmed. Lessons are the foundation, not the fantasy.
If only kids came with submarine mode.
Myth 3: Floaties Mean My Child Is Fine In The Water
Floaties: cute look. Colourful. Photogenic.
Also: completely unreliable.
They tip. They flip. They roll. Sometimes they float off to another postcode.
Floaties boost confidence, sure.
They are not safety devices. At all. Ever.
Myth 4: Kids Only Need Lessons When They Can Swim Alone
If we waited for kids to be ready, half of them would still be screaming about water in their ears at age 12.
Early lessons (as early as three months!) build comfort, awareness and safer movement. They’re about swimming confidence and routine — not perfection.
Waiting for “ready” is a trap, and kids lose precious time.
Myth 5: A Pool Fence Means My Kids are Safe
If only it were that simple.
Ah yes, the magical fence that does all the parenting for you.
Pool fences are essential for stopping unsupervised access, but they don’t replace you.
You’re still the first line of defence – hovering, watching and yelling “No running!” on repeat. And yes, we mean actual supervision, not a group of adults chatting around the BBQ while someone assumes someone else is watching
Myth 6: Kids Remember Their Skills Even After Long Breaks
We really want this to be true.
But swimming skills fade when they’re not used, just like confidence. A long break can turn a once-capable swimmer into a hesitant one, and hesitation in water matters.
Regular lessons keep movements familiar, breathing calm and reactions quicker. Consistency doesn’t just build skill — it builds muscle memory, and that can make all the difference when kids are tired, scared or caught off guard.
Myth 7: If My Child Can Dog Paddle, They Are Good Enough
Dog paddling is cute… but it’s basically enthusiastic flailing.
It burns energy, offers zero control and won’t help them in unpredictable water.
Proper lessons teach floating, breathing, strokes and survival skills — the real stuff that keeps kids safer.
Myth 8: Adults Do Not Need Lessons Because They Already “Know How To Swim”
Oh, they do.
Many adults can “stay alive for a bit” — that’s not swimming.
Adult lessons build strength, technique and real confidence (and show your kids what safer behaviour looks like). It’s powerful role-modelling.
Also… you finally stop panicking when dragged into the deep end by a toddler.
Myth 9: Pool Skills Equal Ocean Skills
Nope.
Pools are warm and calm.
The ocean is… moody. Personal. Dramatic.
Currents, waves, cold patches, mysterious seaweed … everything changes.
Myth 10: A Few Lessons Earlier in Life Are “Enough”
If only it worked that way.
Kids forget skills faster than they forget homework.
Swimming requires ongoing practice, technique and refresher lessons.
Consistency builds capability. Capability builds safety. Safety builds calmer parents.
Quick Tips for a Safer Summer
- Enrol kids early and keep lessons consistent
- Supervise always, even in shallow water
- Swim between the flags
- Look for holiday accommodation with proper pool fencing
- Keep home pools properly fenced
- Celebrate progress to keep kids motivated
Swimming Skills For Life
Kingswim isn’t just a swim school – it’s a place where confidence is built one splash at a time. With a legacy that spans decades, they’ve helped shape safer summers for families across Australia.
Kingswim has:
Over 30 years of experience: Three decades of teaching means they’ve seen every stage, every personality and every wobbly moment. Their programs are built on a real understanding of how kids learn, grow and thrive in the water.
Taught more than two million people to swim: That’s generations of babies, toddlers, school kids, teens and adults who now move through the water with confidence. Every lesson adds up — and millions of families have felt the benefit.
Nationally qualified teachers: Every teacher is trained, accredited and supported with ongoing professional development. They’re not just good with kids — they’re experts in technique, safety and building trust.
Small class sizes: Fewer kids in the water means more attention, more correction, more progress and a whole lot more confidence. It’s personalised learning without the overwhelm.
Warm, welcoming pools: Warm water, indoor facilities and calm spaces help kids feel relaxed, safe and ready to learn — especially those who need extra reassurance. When kids feel comfortable, they learn faster and enjoy it more.
A proven approach that builds confidence and capability, not just “lessons”: This is about real skill, real strength and real safety. Kingswim’s programs grow with your child – from babies who learn to feel confident in the water, to older swimmers mastering strong, efficient strokes and life-saving skills. It’s progress with purpose.
And beyond the pool, Kingswim invests back into the community.
They also support local families with free water safety programs in Early Learning Centres and Primary Schools, helping kids understand risks, build awareness and learn safer habits long before they ever take their first lesson. It’s education that saves lives, and they deliver it where it matters most.
This is what decades of experience look like, not just teaching kids to swim, but helping whole communities enjoy safer, happier summers.
If you want this summer to feel calmer, safer and a whole lot more fun, now is the time.
Get 50% Off Swimming Lessons Across January
If you want a calmer, safer, joy-filled summer, now’s the moment.
Build confidence.
Build capability.
Build a safer summer.
Most of these myths stick around because they sound comforting. But once you know what really keeps kids safer in the water, things get a whole lot clearer. Water becomes fun again. Parents feel more at ease. Kids grow braver and more capable with every lesson.
Swimming should feel joyful, not stressful, and a bit of solid knowledge goes a long way. With the right support and the right skills, families can enjoy the water with much more confidence all year round.
This is a sponsored editorial for KingSwim
