Our Methodology
Formal swimming lessons are essential to prevent drowning and keep your family safe around the water. At Lilly's Bluefin Aquatics, we utilize the Swim-Float-Swim technique as our foundation to safely enjoy water activities, focusing on providing children and adults with the knowledge and confidence to swim and survive in the water. Our swim instructors customize private lessons and gently encourage each child's unique needs and abilities. Our program teaches babies to hold their breath underwater and float on their backs first. Then they learn to rotate from a face-down position to a face-up back-float. Walking children learn to hold their breath underwater and propel themselves in a horizontal position for a short distance on their tummies by kicking their feet. They learn to roll over and float on their backs to breathe, flip back onto their bellies, and swim again to safety. Once children acquire the Swim-Float-Swim technique, instructors test them in regular clothes to better prepare them for unexpected falls into the water.
Teaching the Swim-Float-Swim technique, or rollback to float, is the most effective approach to help new swimmers (children and non-swimming adults) to get air in the water. We do not teach lifting the head to breathe because it is inefficient or unsafe for many reasons. Before the age of four, most children are not developmentally able to raise their heads in this manner without assistance. Even if they can, this impedes correct body position and water balance and reinforces bad swimming habits that must be corrected later. More importantly, lifting the head to breathe requires substantial energy for young, new swimmers. Even if a swimmer can lift their heads for a brief period, most will tire quickly. However, the Swim-Float-Swim technique can be repeated many times without getting tired. The child can always rest on their back, allowing them to swim much greater distances, gain confidence and independence, and become water safe.