Sebastián Vaca Quintana is director of Club Once Unidos and trainer in children’s swimming. Naty Torres has a degree in Physical Education with a master’s degree in education, passionate about children and swimming. We are happy to announce that both are ToSwim partners.
In the episode #16 of their podcast “Hola Natación”, they talk to us about the fear of water.
Fear of water is often the first obstacle that many people who start the path of learning to swim encounter. Naty Torres and Sebastián Vaca Quintana answer: What happens in our brain when we are afraid, how do we react to fearful situations in swimming lessons, and how can we manage fear?
Fear arises because the body and brain are programmed to react as if we are in a dangerous situation.
Sebastian mentions that, “…in the swimming school it is important to identify the aquatic biography of the student who enters and makes his first participation in the swimming school, whatever his age. It is also important to ask important questions such as whether there is a history of any risky situation in the water or with the child’s parents if they are afraid because they do not know how their son or daughter will build this bond with the water.”
Understanding the aquatic biography is crucial because the goal is for the child to enjoy the water. Pool coaches and managers play a key role in helping children overcome their fear of water. They create strategies tailored to each child’s specific fears.
What strategies can be applied to help eliminate fear of water in swimming students?
01. First, understand that fear needs processing time.
Fear needs processing, just as it is true that no process can be rushed. If a child is afraid, it is important for their brain to understand the fear so it can be managed. What happens over time is in relation to the reaction—in how one reacts to that survival situation. Many people make the decision to face the fear or run away without resolving it.
Sebastián Vaca gives an example, “…a child of 2, 3, 4 years old, when they are afraid they express it because they have no social filter. But a child of 6, 7, 8 years old can be embarrassed and not express it, but it shows in their body language. It’s shown by how he raises his hands, you can see his neck with hypertonia and unnatural movements in the water. So he is not resolving his fear, but he accepts to enter and it is very important to be very attentive to these signs”.
02. Empathize with the fear of water.
Empathy is the second pillar where, here too, it must be built at the institutional level. Sebastián Vaca begins by explaining an example with the secretary or receptionist who gives the first information to the family.
For a child, possibly arriving directly in a bathing suit may be a trigger leading to believe that he or she is already going to enter the water. Sebastián Vaca says, “…it is better to tell him, well, the first classes bring a change of clothes because he will probably be around the pool or with the assistant teacher and it is possible that he will get wet. Then, well, it is better to start living with the space and get to know it, see how other students enjoy the water and the class, or have the teacher involve him as a helper to hand out the toys”.
03. The brain has to be available to be able to learn and have a happy learning.
We return to the first pillar by explaining why time is needed. The brain needs the processing time to understand and relate that there really isn’t a dangerous situation. That is why it is important to give time to fear. As well as, prepare an intervention strategy so that this fear begins to diminish. Naty Torres says, “…also understand that no one can learn with fear. The brain has to be available to be able to learn”.
We invite you to follow Naty Torres and Sebastián Vaca Quintana’s podcast “Hola Natación”, available on Spotify. Their podcast gives informational content on the development and wellbeing of kids in the swimming pool.
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