With a race here, a splash there and shouts of “Marco Polo” everywhere, children may not be able to overlook the fun of a pool to see the fitness aspects of swimming.
But the fitness component of swimming shouldn’t go unrecognized, area instructors say.
“It really works your body,” said Emily Krause, aquatics coordinator at the Downtown YMCA. “(Children) are exhausted after a 30-minute lesson. They play, and it’s good for them. They tread water, and it gives such resistance — more than (similar movement) would on land.”
John Woods, swimming coach at Girls Preparatory School and head coach of the Scenic City Aquatic Club, said unless a child is just floating on a inner tube or raft the fitness aspects of swimming are evident.
“It’s not usually five or 10 minutes,” he said. “They’re in and out of the water, splashing around, staying active. They’re jumping off the diving board, swimming to the side. It’s such a fun thing that they end up spending more time in the water.”