In our last post, we talked about why swim lessons are important. One of the reasons given in that post was water safety. Even though there is a difference between being water-safe and knowing how to swim, the two go hand in hand. As mentioned previously, drowning is one of the leading causes of death in young people. Whether you’re a strong swimmer or still learning how to swim, the best thing you can do is become water conscious. Drowning incidents occur in seconds so having a plan in place to help you stay safe is critical. Here are 12 tips that can help you and your family be water safe: Educate children and adults about water safety. The more people who are educated on water safety, the better. Never leave a child unattended near a pool, lake, river, ocean, or any body of water. Regardless of the child’s skill level, there is no substitute for adult supervision. All parents have experienced how quickly young children find a bit of mischief, I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “don’t turn your back even for one second”. The same goes for water, all it takes is a second for the unthinkable. It’s important to be aware that nobody in water is too small. This means a child can drown in inches of water in a bathtub, a toilet, in standing water on a hot tub cover, a bucket of water, etc. In fact, a child can drown in any amount of water enough to cover the mouth and nose. It’s important to remember to never let your guard down when water is involved. Swim near a lifeguard whenever possible and only […]

Summer is in full swing and some parents are still trying to figure out where to get their kids to swim lessons. One big challenge to making a decision related to swimming lessons is that many parents don’t know when to start and why it’s important to have lessons. Rest assured, this post will help you know at what age your kid can start swim lessons. School is out for summer and families all over the country are taking vacations to their favorite resorts, amusement parks, and watering holes. In a city like Houston, one will go to great lengths to escape the heat and humidity of this long hot summer. An easy and convenient escape is to the neighborhood pool (and boy, do we have a lot) or the beach which is not too far away. Regardless of where you choose, it’s important to make sure you and your kids are prepared when it comes time to hit the water. It only takes a few seconds for a dangerous accident to occur. What Age Can Kids Start Swim Lessons According to the Centers for Disease Control, ten people die daily due to unintentional drowning. Out of the ten, two are children aged 14 or under. Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children. Turning on the news or scrolling social media you will learn that in Houston alone there have been numerous mentions of drownings since the summer has started. It is a very frightening reality that can be prevented. Swimming lessons are a key factor to aid in the prevention of water-related deaths. By most accounts, the average age that kids start swim lessons is around […]

When I was six years old, I taught myself how to swim and that sent me on a journey that led me to where I am today. I turned my hobby into a career, and it has been amazing. Along the way, I learned water safety is a serious topic for everyone to know. In particular, why learning to swim is essential to life So, here it is: 5 Reasons Why Swim Lessons Are Important Water is fun but it can be dangerous. We live in a state where it’s warm (who am I kidding? HOT) nine out of twelve months of the year. Most states go through four seasons but we all know that doesn’t happen in Texas. And for that reason, there are pools everywhere. Not just pools but lakes, rivers, quarries, creeks, and the ocean. There are so many bodies of water in Texas. In fact, we have over 3,300 miles of coastline in this state. That’s a lot of beaches to go to! With that being said, there’s lots of recreational swimming to do and you have to know how to swim if you really want to enjoy it! Learning how to swim and be water safe can help you be aware of your surroundings and know what to do in case of an accident. In my previous post, we discussed how often drowning happens. Learning to swim is a way to change those statistics and decrease the risks associated with swimming. If we want our kids to stay safe around water, swim lessons are a must! Physical fitness is a major component of human life. It’s a necessity that’s often taken for granted. Numerous studies, […]

Are you looking to get leaner without heavy bulky weights? Are you trying to create a sculpted body without a gym membership? Are you trying to find a new recommendation for a way to boost your endurance and increase your muscle mass? Exercise Equipment for Swimming Pool Swimming is an excellent alternative to so many different workouts. It’s a great cardiovascular workout that can benefit your whole body in one sitting. With that being said, there is certain exercise equipment for the swimming pool you can use to target specific muscle groups. Whether you’re swimming or doing some kind of aerobic exercise, working out with exercise equipment for the swimming pool is always good for you. It’s gentle on your bones and joints too! Hence, the reason that the swimming pool is used by many athletes (not just swimmers) as well as physical therapists and their patients. Here are a few pieces of exercise equipment you can use to enhance your workout in the swimming pool. Dumbbells Foam dumbbells are an easy workout accessory that can be utilized in more ways than one. They come in different sizes usually between 1-2 feet. They can be used to target the arm muscles with various aerobic exercises. Simply walking back and forth in the swimming pool and moving your arms in and out can help improve your balance while the resistance will help to work out your arms. Jogging and jumping jacks are also great exercises that can be enhanced when used with foam dumbbells. Foam dumbbells are also a great accessory to develop a more efficient stroke technique. We use the dumbbells to teach our swimmers the proper way to kick […]

In the words of basically every character (ever) on Game of Thrones, Winter is Coming. It’s time to prepare for the cold (sometimes) and wet (most of the time) winter season here in Houston. Yes, it’s true, we’ll occasionally get some warm days but most of us are typically taking a break from the water around this time. But if you find yourself brave, here are some safety tips for surviving the winter, whether you choose to stay at home or go on a vacation. Winter Water Safety Tips At Home A large majority of Houston homes have a pool in the backyard. Not to mention, all of the master-planned communities in the greater Houston area are surrounded by lakes, ponds (manmade and natural), and various swimming facilities. With young children home from school during their winter break, it’s important to make sure that they are staying active and busy. It’s equally important to make sure that they are staying safe. It’s always best to have your swimming pool gated off so that your kids will be safe. Having a gate (or some kind of barrier) around your pool reduces the risk of your child having an accidental fall into the pool. It also removes the temptation of trying to get into the pool. A gate 3 to 4 feet high will typically do well in keeping your kids away from the water. A simple Amazon search will lead you to many different options. There are also tarps and nets that can be used to cover your pool. These, of course, can be installed by professional pool companies or builders (for those of us that can afford to be on […]

It’s that time of year again! When holiday music floods the radio, colorful lights and decorations fill the city and that tiny Elf on the Shelf pops up everywhere! During this wonderful time of year, our focus is on family, friends and the spirit of the holidays. It’s also a time when department stores all around the country are busy as we try to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones, to show them just how much they mean to us. If you find yourself racking your brain to find the best holiday gift, look no further! There’s one gift that will leave the biggest smile and cause the most excitement: the gift of swim lessons at Pengu Swim School this holiday season! If you’re asking yourself, “Why swim lessons? How can that possibly be the greatest gift?!”, it’s simple! Swim lessons are the ultimate gift because it’s the one gift that truly keeps on giving! Pengu offers swim lessons that your little swimmer can come to once a week (or more) the whole year through! While other gifts like Legos can be hazardous to your foot health (we’ve all been there) or end up forgotten at the bottom of the toy box, swim lessons stay fresh and new! Students are always learning new skills and being challenged outside of their comfort zone. It’s also a great gift to be given by grandparents and other relatives (yes, you should totally share this blog with your parents or siblings too #thanksgrandma #thanksuncle). Swim lessons are typically affordable and a great way to get your grandkids, nieces or nephews started in a new physical activity/sport. These kiddos will be asking each […]

What are you thankful for? At Pengu Swim School, we are thankful that each day we get to work with children and families and teach them ways to be safer in and around water. As you think about all that you are thankful for you may recall time spent watching swim lessons and learning new safety tips for your family. All those skills learned during year-round swimming lessons and summer clinics are helping keep your family safe. Did you know that even turkeys know how to swim? That is right, to ensure their chicks survive, their mothers encourage them to venture into large bodies of water. They tuck their wings in close to their bodies and kick underwater to enable themselves to propel. The importance of swimming is shared through many of the animal species in the world! At Pengu Swim School we provide swimming lessons year-round in a temperature-controlled climate with a toasty 90-degree water temperature. Our goal is to increase water safety awareness, teach invaluable lifesaving skills, and have fun doing so! Keep your family safe even during these cold winter days at one of our three (soon to be four) state of the art locations in the Houston area. And do not forget, if you have family visiting during the holiday season bring them in for open swim and let your little ones show off all those skills! We will see you soon!