•He said parents should also ensure their children have instructors who are highly qualified.
•"It takes very sensitive and intensive training to handle toddlers. Most qualified trainers in Nairobi charge close to sh100,000 for a full course," he stated.
Image: SWIMMING
Swimming is a multi-muscular activity that could be done for recreation, as a sport or an exercise, or for survival.
The skill ideally requires that you propel your body through the water while floating and breathing at a healthy pace and it is achieved through rhythmic breathing.
In an interview on Monday, Mathan Matheri, a swimming coach, advocates that children should be introduced to the sport.
"Children get to learn better unlike adults," he said
However, he warned it is risky for parents to take their children swimming when they are below the age of two.
He said parents should also ensure their children have instructors who are highly qualified.
"It takes very sensitive and intensive training to handle toddlers. Most qualified trainers in Nairobi charge close to sh100,000 for a full course," he stated.
Consequently, he advises that the earliest age to take your child to learn how to swim is between the age of 2 to 3.
Matheri currently trains athletic swimming for children between 6-11 years and also adults at age of up to 70 years.
He said that he indulged in the sport at the age of six and started competitive swimming when he was 10 years old.
The 28-year-old has been offering coaching sessions for 2 years now both privately and at Chester House at Koinange Street.
He pointed out that the activity has been painted as an elite sport, supposedly for 'rich kids' but it is not the case.
Since it takes about two months - a total of 15 sessions- training for adults would range between Sh10,000-Sh20,000.
Additionally, monthly competitive swimming lessons for kids, under a structured schedule, could range between Sh4,000-Sh5,000 a month.
Nonetheless, he said that it is worth the investment: both schools and parents should be more open to exploring it wholeheartedly.
A benefit of swimming is that it is a lifelong skill that traverses through recreational purposes and overall body fitness.
It is also a networking sport for both kids and parents. There is exposure for your child especially in competitions and championships, both at the regional and international levels.
Swimming helps children gain body confidence and develop belief in their athletic abilities and social skills.
It also gives children a sense of discipline which they apply to aspects of their lives.
Matheri stated that the biggest challenge in his career is parent anxiety towards swimming.
He added that he spends most of his time trying to convince the parents that their children are safe delving into the activity.
"It is one of the safest sports for children. There is a zero chance of breaking limbs and colliding with others physically compared to other sports like rugby or hockey."