Playing Inside
Michelle Lee (age 9) and her Aqua Warriors instructor, Kim
Sports Beijing (Ages 5-15)
42
beijingkids
2013 August
of coaching equipment, including poolside video analysis. Admission into the program is decided by a head coach and starts from RMB 1,200 for 10 sessions of 60 minutes each.
Aqua Warriors (Ages 5 and older) Founded two years ago, Aqua Warriors currently trains more than 300 swimmers. The club’s motto is “Belief, Teamwork, Commitment” and is very clear about its core objectives: Building swimmers’ interest in the sport, providing individualized training, and promoting wellness in the international school community. Aqua Warriors partners with schools and extracurricular organizations such as Sports Beijing and Boy Scouts Beijing to offer training in water safety, even teaching scouts how to assist in emergency rescue. Aqua Warriors also involves parents of their club members by providing information on training nutrition and free swimming lessons. The club frequently organizes training camps and swim meets, ensuring that there are enough classes to meet demand. Classes for all levels are held at different locations throughout the week, and swimmers who make the cut for the swim team are sent to different competitions. One such student is 9-year old Michelle Lee, who has won several awards – including a trophy at an invitational swim meet in Taipei. Though she was already a competent swimmer by the time she joined the club, Michelle was still intimidated by the swimmers who could
photo: courtesy of aqua warriors
As children age, they’ll graduate to lessons that are geared towards teaching competitive swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly) and proper technique. Sports Beijing, the non-profit multi-sports organization, has a number of programs to help your little swimmer along their way. The basic Learn to Swim program is appropriate for beginner swimmers. It includes activities that familiarize kids with water to alleviate fears and apprehensions. Kids also cover flotation and buoyancy skills, basic movements and stroke development, and water safety. Prices start from RMB 1,350 for 15 sessions of 45 minutes each. Once a child exhibits confidence in the water and can perform two or three swimming strokes, they are able to move up to intermediate level. Here, they learn stroke technique and efficiency, undergo drills, and participate in activities that boost fitness and health. They are also introduced to competitive swimming skills such as turns, dives, and breakouts. Again, water safety skills are emphasized. Lessons start from RMB 1,500 for 15 sessions of 60 minutes each. If your child is serious about improving their technique, they may be eligible for the advanced-level program. Aspiring swimmers must be able to swim 100m using at least three strokes, as well as execute complex training routines. Swimmers are trained in stroke technique, flip turns, starts, and racing strategy. The program uses a wide range