Enjoying Community SportsEnjoying Community Sports

When you enroll your children in swim lessons, you want them to have fun, but to also excel at what they're learning. Even if you're not an accomplished swimmer, it's valuable to encourage them and consider going swimming together so that your children can practice what they're learning in their lessons. One thing that children commonly learn in swimming lessons is the stride jump. It might not be as fun as getting into the water via cannonball, but it's an important type of jump and one that your children must master to advance in their lessons. Here are three reasons to master this jump.

1. It's The Lifesaving Jump

The stride jump is synonymous with getting into the water to rescue someone who is struggling. Lifeguards use it when they need to help someone, and anyone who is an accomplished swimmer — including your children as they progress through their lessons — should be good at this type of jump in case of every being in a lifesaving situation. A swimmer who correctly executes a stride jump gets into the water quickly and in an upright position, all without putting his or her head underwater. When trying to save someone, this is integral because you won't lose visual contact with the person who is struggling.

2. It's A Safe Way To Enter

Stride jumps aren't just about saving people — they're also about protecting yourself when you go from dry land into the water. Because you enter the water feet first, the stride jump is an effective way to get into the water when you're unsure about what is below the surface. Whereas a head-first dive or another similar method of entry can lead to a serious injury, a stride jump is the safest way to get into the water other than slowly walking in.

3. It Keeps The Hair Dry

Keeping the hair dry might not be as important as attempting to save a struggling swimmer's life, but there's little question that it can be useful. Not every swimmer wants to get his or her head wet, and while your children may certainly enjoy diving below the surface, there may be times that they want to experience the fun of jumping into the water but not get their hair wet. Because your children will learn how to keep their head above the water when they perform a proper stride jump, they don't have to worry about getting their hair wet.