Ask any swim parent why they love seeing their child join a swim squad, and they'll likely talk about improved fitness and water skills. But dive a little deeper, and you’ll find squad swimming gives kids something even more valuable - life skills that stick around long after they've finished their training. Here’s what swimming squads really teach our kids.
Confidence that lasts
When a child sets a new personal best or completes a challenging training set, you can see the pride and confidence bursting from them. Squad swimming is full of these small but powerful victories, each building genuine self-belief. This kind of confidence is lasting - kids carry it into school, other sports, and friendships.
The power of persistence
Swimming isn’t always easy - just ask any kid pushing through a tough set or trying to perfect their butterfly stroke! It takes patience, persistence, and practice. Kids quickly learn that staying committed pays off, a lesson they’ll use throughout life whenever they face challenges.
Working together
Swimming might seem like an individual sport, but squads show teamwork everywhere—in relays, during tough training sessions, or simply when teammates cheer each other on. Swimming squads teach kids the importance of supporting their mates, collaborating towards common goals, and celebrating each other's successes.
Setting goals and achieving them
From aiming to improve times to qualifying for a major meet, squad swimming naturally teaches kids about setting achievable goals. They learn to break down big ambitions into smaller, manageable steps—a skill that serves them well in school, sport, and life beyond the pool.
Safety and responsibility
Being part of a swim squad also instills a sense of responsibility. Swimmers learn to respect their coaches, teammates, and their training environment. They understand the importance of discipline, safety, and the responsibility they have towards their own progress and the wellbeing of those around them.
When you encourage your kids to join a swimming squad, you're equipping them with lifelong skills, both in and out of the pool.
At SwimmingSA, we love watching swimmers grow into confident, resilient, and responsible young people - and we're always excited to welcome new swimmers into our community.
Ready to dive in? We’ll see you at the pool!
