Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout

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2008-09-22 12:25 PM

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Champion
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Richmond, VA
Subject: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout

I have a 5 year old son

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who loves to go to the pool.  I've been trying to find ways to sneak in some training while "playing" with him in the pool.  I've come up with some games, but was curious what others have come up with.

Game 1 - the race:  We have a 25 yard pool.  I get at one end and my 5 year old starts about 10 yards away from the opposite wall (in essence, I give him a 15 yard lead).  When I yell GO, we race to the opposite wall, so I swim all out for 25 yards and he swims his heart out for 10 yards.

Game 2 - riding Daddy:  I get a leg flotation thingy and place it between my knees.  My son climbs on my back and we do lengths of the pool with me doing the breaststroke.  I can usually get 3 or 4 strokes between needing to come up for air.

Game 3 - wall push off:  We take turns pushing off the wall and seeing how far we can swim underwater.

 

Curious what other games people have come up with...



Edited by condorman 2008-09-22 12:25 PM

2008-09-22 12:30 PM
in reply to: #1688408

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Pro
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Plano, Texas
Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout

Game 1 - beat Daddy with the swim noodle.  At the community pool (no lanes), my kids will be playing at one end.  When I swim by them, they try to grab me or hit me with the swim noodles.  It helps the mental aspect for me to just keep swimming no matter what.

Game 2 - very similar to your game 1.  The kids start on the side and I start about 15 yds away.  I throw a floating ball close to them.  As soon as the ball hits the water, all of us sprint to it. 

2008-09-22 12:31 PM
in reply to: #1688408

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout

I play, "Outswim the Yellow Lab with claws long overdue for trimming."  I lose...a lot. 

 

2008-09-22 1:04 PM
in reply to: #1688426

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Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout
kagoscuba - 2008-09-22 1:31 PM

I play, "Outswim the Yellow Lab with claws long overdue for trimming."  I lose...a lot. 

 

 

LOL

2008-09-22 1:24 PM
in reply to: #1688408

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Fridley, MN, USA
Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout
Those sound like some pretty good games!
You could also swim freestyle with a pull bouy in and your son hanging on to your ankles.

See if you can swim 50y before he can swim 25 (similar to your first game), but if you fail, keep swimming until you win! A bit more of an endurance aspect, if he wants to go along with it
2008-09-22 2:19 PM
in reply to: #1688408

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Master
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Port Moody, BC
Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout
Whenever my friends bring their kids to the pool with them while we are supposed to be working out, I play the "see how long you can hold your breath under water" game. Lots of fun and keeps the kids busy seeing who can get first place while we swim laps!

2008-09-22 4:10 PM
in reply to: #1688426

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Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout
kagoscuba - 2008-09-22 12:31 PM

I play, "Outswim the Yellow Lab with claws long overdue for trimming."  I lose...a lot. 

 

HA! or outswim the Golden Retriever with either an oversized fetching ego (I go 200+) or with a serious "rescuing" nerosis

2008-09-22 4:31 PM
in reply to: #1688408

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Melbourne FL
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Subject: RE: Tips for having fun in the pool, and wouldn't ya know it - getting in a good swim workout

Wow age 5, cool fun!

We got our pool at home in 2005 when my son was 5.  We would try and swim underwater together with him holding my shoulders or suit, I just realized that I can't recall when he could swim it all himself.  Today at age 9, and after 4 years on the Y swim team, my son can out swim me in any distance up to 1000 meters!

My daughter is 7 and loves fins, we'll do kick & swim races.  She also loves to push off the wall and do dolphin kicks until you have to come up.

We also get pool sticks and rings, randomly toss in the pool and time how long it takes to get them all. 

 

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