Fall Registration Still Ongoing!!!!

Although classes have begun, registration is still ongoing.

Build you swimming skills here at SwimJim.

Call today to sign up  for all levels of swimming.

1-877-SWIMJIM

FALL CLASSES BEGIN TODAY!

Fall classes have begun at SwimJim! Register today!

Summer is over, but swimming never ends.

Please call (212) 749-7335 to reserve a spot!

Happy Labor Day! We are closed today for the holiday.  Fall Registration starts again tomorrow.  Call Now

FALL REGISTRATION STARTS TODAY

FALL REGISTRATION STARTS TODAY.  Call now to not miss out.  New locations on upper East and upper West sides.

We are back from Summer and ready to start blogging. Hope everyone had a safe and fun summer!

Check back with us often for great info.

REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER BEGINS TODAY!

Summer is the season for swimming! Call SwimJim today to sign up. We have lessons in Manhattan, Long Island (Including The Hamptons!), New Jersey, and Texas. Join us for all levels of swimming.

SwimJim, 877-SWIMJIM

Ever wondered why your skin wrinkles up like a prune in the water? Or why you get so tired swimming in the sea?

Anyone who has taken a long bath or gone for a swim can attest to a certain pale pruniness of the skin that goes away harmlessly after a little while. And anyone who has spent a day at the beach splashing around can vouch for the fact that you get unduly fatigued from it all.

The answers are pretty interesting: did you know that your skin is water proof! I myself had never thought about it until now but truth be told none of us soak up water like a sponge. The reason is that the sebaceous glands in your skin produce an oil called sebum (SEE-bum) that acts effectively as water-proofing while also lubricating and protecting your skin. We tend to think of ourselves as walled off under our skin but it is actually this sebum that keeps us from bloating up with water every time we get into the pool.

When you go swimming, you lose this protective layer and your skin suddenly becomes more porous. Perhaps you remember the concept of osmosis from high school biology. Well, essentially, without that protective layer, the lower density of water in your skin relative to the pool, pulls water molecules into the top layer of your skin and stores it in your fat cells, via osmosis.  This process tries to  balance the water pressure difference between you and the pool and stopping at saturation point (i.e. wrinkly pruny skin.)  This layer is attached to the layer below that does not absorb water and the combination of being fixed down and the increase in size of the top layer leads to wrinkly skin.

An interesting aside is that swimming in the ocean, whether just a quick jaunt or a dive for pearls, will never leave you pruny and water-logged. Why? Well, it goes back to osmosis. When you are in a pool, the salt concentrations of H2O in your skin are higher and so the water from outside goes in. Well, when in the ocean, the salt content in the sea water is much higher and therefore draws the water in your skin, after the sebum has rubbed off, out into the ocean.  Can you imagine?  Your body trying to equalize the salt content of the ocean?  That’s a lot of water to give off.  So…

This highlights the important fact that should be remembered in the Summer when you are making a trip to the beach. If osmosis is working against you in salt water (taking water from your skin cells), then you need to counteract this by drinking extra water or a drink like Gatorade that is full of electrolytes. Doctors suggest about 8 cups of water a day, more if you are going to be active. We suggest 15 cups of water to drink a day, which is roughly equivalent to about 10 cans of soda. This might seem a lot but just remember that with the combination of that sun beating down on you, and the salt water sapping H2O from you, it’s crucial that you stay hydrated while having fun in the surf and sun!

Pre-natal Swimming, part one

Get exercise and go weightless! As swim instructor and five months pregnant with my first child I have found that being in the water has incredible benefits for not only me but my baby as well. The added weight and tension on my body is completely lifted in the water, even when I’m teaching a group of four children! Swimming is a low -impact way to get cardio and improve muscle tone, not to mention how great you will sleep in between night time bathroom runs. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise through your entire pregnancy. Whether you are getting to know moms-to-be at a pre-natal swim class or enjoying the solitude of you own swim lane, water exercise is a fantastic way to benefit you and your baby before and after your due date. As with any new exercise regimen it is always best to speak with your doctor or midwife before beginning. Please check back for more information about pre-natal swimming, exercises, and class information!

-Randi-

Swine flu, like the avian flu in 2006, has gained a lot of press as it quickly spread throughout the developing and emerging world.

The imagery of large crowds wearing surgical masks and wholesale slaughter of entire livestock populations adds further intensity to an already serious situation.

At SwimJim, we are not doctors but, as child educators, it is incumbent upon us to educate ourselves with information from national and local authorities. We want to be prepared and help you prepare yourself and your family.
Following the National & Local Authorities

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s site has the lastest statistics and information for swine flu around the entire country. It also has recommendations for public health professionals at the local level. You can sign up for real-time email or RSS feeds from the CDC on their site or follow them on Twitter (“CDCemergency”).

Because decisions like school closings are made by local government agencies, we also went to county health websites for our various locations, such as Houston’s Harris County Public Health website. They have a special swine virus resources page that contains several useful PDFs including how to protect yourself and your family and key facts about swine flu in humans. The majority of these documents are available in both Spanish and English.

What Did We Learn?

We learned some interesting things about swine flu, how it is spread and how to protect ourselves.

1) Every single resource we read mentioned vigorous and vigilant hand-washing as a primary means to minimize infection.

2) See your physician immediately if you or your child feels ill or demonstrates the following symptoms: fever over 100′; exhaustion; lack of appetite; coughing, sneezing and other flu-like symptoms.

3) You can’t get swine flu from eating pork.

4) If you are sick, stay home.

5) Swine flu is very treatable in humans but widespread immunization is not being pursued. At the moment, the authorities are focusing on immunizing hospitalized patients and other minorities with increased predisposition to getting flu and flu-like diseases.

6) Swine flu is not believed to be more dangerous than the common flu we are all familiar with.

Thank You
We hope you find this helpful.

Please give us your feedback and comments. We’d love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

The SwimJim team

Water Safety Rules

Safety Rules

1. Take swim lessons.

2. Never swim alone.

3. Swim only where there is qualified supervision. A supervisor should know:
a. CPR
b. First Aid
c. Rescue procedures
d. Have a cordless phone poolside.

4. Never leave toys in or around the pool when not in use.

5. Swim in pools where the water is clear and you can see the drain.

6. Follow pool rules:
a. No glass containers.
b. Dive only in designated areas.
c. No running.
d. No eating or chewing gum while swimming.
e. Wear a swim suit.

7. Use only Coast Guard approved flotation  devices while boating and fishing. Do not substitute inflatable toys for adult supervision.

8. If someone is in trouble, find something that will float to throw, or reach out to the person … if nothing is around, YELL WHILE RUNNING FOR HELP!

9. Evacuate pool and deck at first signs of thunder or lightning.

10. Use layered protection:
a. Fences surrounding pools.
b. Self closing, self latching gates.
c. Dead bolts on doors leading to the pool.
d. Weight-bearing pool covers.

Helpful Hints for Having a Successful Infant Swim Class

Demonstrate: Your instructor will show you what to do. Make sure you understand completely before trying it yourself. Doing it wrong can do more harm than good.

Repetition: Do it over and over again. You will get tired and possibly bored, but for your baby’s sake, make an extra effort. Practicing a skill helps reduce the fear of the unknown. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT !

Praise is their reward. Make it sincere and from the heart. You want to accentuate the positive and ignore the negative. Let your child know you are proud of every task they attempt.

Be on time for swimming lessons. Give your child time to relax, observe other classes, and become familiar with the surroundings before class. Stay calm. Children can sense a parent’s anxiety.

SAFETY FIRST, LAST AND ALWAYS. Children need to learn and develop safe habits around the pool area and water. Children are not responsible and have little judgment ability. NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A CHILD. YOU MUST CONSTANTLY WATCH HIM/HER — Before, during and after class. Teach your child not to run around the pool area or throw objects into the pool. Refrain from allowing your child to play on the steps or pool walls.

Don’t over set YOUR goals for your child. It is better to reset them from time to time in order to be more realistic for both you and your child. Start out small, leave room for them to grow. Never show disappointment or scold for something not done to your expectations.

Give encouragement and be understanding. Be patient and keep trying. Swimming is one of the hardest things to learn, yet people tend to expect fantastic results with the least amount of learning time. Give help, love, and praise.

Crying: There are different degrees, and a certain amount of crying is expected from time to time. Don’t get upset. A little is OK, but a lot is not.

Don’t compare children! Let them progress at a pace that is right for them. They all have different temperaments and personalities.