XpatAthens Events has organised English language swimming lessons for babies and toddlers in Glyfada. The lessons will last about 40 minutes and will be conducted by an English qualified swimming instructor. The lessons will take place at the Palace Hotel private pool in Glyfada so it's not necessary to obtain the doctors certificates required for public swimming pools. Whatever the age of your child, if you are interested in introducing them to the water and taking the first important steps towards water confidence, safety and swimming then sign up for the first session taking place on Wednesday the 23rd of June at 11.00am.
Please not that is is not a heated swimming pool. The water temperature is approximately 17 degrees.
First session – Wednesday 23rd of June at 11.00am
Class size – 10 maximum on a first come first served basis. Email events@xpatathens.com and leave a phone number to request a place each week and we will phone or email to confirm. If you confirm but do not turn up we unfortunately will not be able to accomadate you in further sessions.
Cost: 20 euros per session per child
Payment: Per session to the Instructor at the pool before the lesson commences.
Equipment: Please bring a “noodle” swimming float.
Further information
The initial lessons are for children aged 3-36 months however the ages are flexible but the exercises will be directed towards this sort of age.
The parent is required to be in the pool with their child (one parent per child)
The pool covered and suitable for use during the winter (there is a sliding roof that can be activated in the summer if necessary.
Please note this is a hotel pool and pictures can be seen of it if you follow this link
http://www.xpatathens.com/news/21575
The pool is a good size and the lesson will take place in the shallow end.
Surrounding the pool is a café with comfortable seating where coffee can be ordered should both parent attend.
As this is a hotel pool and not a municipal pool designed for the general public the changing facilities are not ideal. There is one changing room with a toilet independently available for use by people who are just using the pool. This is however accessed by a short outdoor pathway. It may therefore be advisable to dry and change the children at the pool side.
Session breakdown
The following are examples of exercises you will be doing in the pool and the first steps of showing and helping your baby some survival technique's when in the water.
Holding your baby in the water under both arms and splashing make him/her feel comfortable in/with the water.
Showing baby how to breath by encouraging him/her to copy you blowing bubbles in the water.
Encourage baby to float and kick his/her legs using a noodle float.
Help baby to float on his/her back while cupping your hand under their lower head, while gently turning around in a circle while baby kicks his/her legs.
Gently throw baby slightly in the air never leaving your hands splashing in the water.
Throw baby as above and put babies head under water only for a fraction of a second.
Let baby jump off the poolside into your arms towards you while holding them under the arms.
As above however when baby enters the water walk backwards allowing them to swim towards you as you hold them.
As above but this time when baby jumps into your arms allow babies head to go slightly under the water.
These are just a few of the exercises that we will be doing as baby gets more used to the water we will start to include more exercises of swimming through hoops while baby is on top of the water and then under the water.
If you would also be interested in aqua aerobics please e-mail
events@xpatathens.com to express your interest.