Climbing & Submerging Skills

The teachers at Sailfish Swim Academy use a creative and engaging approach to teach infants how to swim using the “Row Your Boat” exercise. In this exercise, the parent or guardian submerges the infant to the island and helps them climb up, while hugging and encouraging them to turn.

The exercise progresses in three stages. In the first stage, the parent or guardian provides encouragement as the infant turns. In the second stage, they use their hand to guide the infant as they turn. In the third stage, the parent or guardian holds the platform and guides the infant to submerge for a certain count before swimming back to them.

The goal of the “Row Your Boat” exercise is to encourage infants to climb up to platforms, such as the side of the pool. Through submerging or swimming to the island and jumping down from a movable platform, infants develop their fine and visual motor swimming skills. They learn to submerge for different counts, ranging from 3 to 15, and to climb up to the island while singing and repeating the “elbow elbow, tummy, knee knee” motion.

The teachers at Sailfish Swim Academy provide personalized attention and guidance to each child, ensuring that they progress at their own pace and feel comfortable in the water. They create a safe and engaging environment where infants can have fun while learning important swimming skills, such as submerging, climbing, and swimming back to their parent or guardian.