Why We Do What We Do

When Kathleen McMordie opened Texas Swim Academy in 2012, she saw a long-term dream finally come to fruition – a state-of-the-art facility that gives children throughout Katy, Houston, and surrounding areas a safe place to learn the skills needed to self-rescue should an aquatic accident occur. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 6,300 non-fatal drowning injuries occur yearly; sixty-six percent are children under five. With statistics this high, Kathleen combined her nursing career and years of experience teaching children how to swim in her backyard pool to establish Texas Swim Academy…and has never looked back. 

Drowning is a Preventable Epidemic

The statistics remain unchanged. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children aged 1 to 5. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, there were 76 pediatric drowning deaths in 2022. And by June 2023, there have already been 26 pediatric drowning deaths. 

Accidents happen. That is without question. But when a child is ill-equipped with the survival skills necessary to live in a home with a pool or near a body of water, the risk of drowning increases. The reality is even if a child doesn’t live in a home that has a pool, they need to know the basic roll to back to float should they ever fall in while on vacation or visiting someone’s home. 

Within the past few years, the American Academy of Pediatrics reduced the age at which it recommended children learn to swim to under one year old. Parents-to-be are inundated with car seat rules and regulations, along with the stages of foods kids should eat, stroller options, sleeping arrangements, and so much more, but infant survival swimming lessons are often overlooked or not mentioned altogether. But drowning is a preventable epidemic when a child is equipped with the right skill set. 

Why Survival Swimming Lessons?

First and foremost, survival swimming lessons save lives. They allow a child who has fallen into a pool or body of water to get to their back and float until help arrives. And depending on their skill level, can even swim to the side of the pool or stairs to get themselves out. So why wouldn’t families want to invest in their child’s safety? 

There are many ways to look at this. Cost can be a deterrent to some families. Time commitment is another. The reality is people will find excuses to avoid anything. But survival swimming lessons shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to their child’s safety. Yes, it is an investment that comes with a lifetime of rewards and benefits. Children don’t forget the very skills they are taught – they grow because of them. Their skill level advances every time they get in the water, and as they get older, they may become competitive or recreational swimmers skilled with proper stroke technique. Swimming lessons also positively impact a child’s cognitive skills when starting at a young age. 

Children are hands-on learners. They thrive by being able to do. There’s a gross misconception that survival swimming lessons are detrimental to children because they force them to do something they don’t want or are afraid to do. But if you study a young child, you’ll recognize they react to many things they are learning on a daily basis. They cry if they are told no. They throw a tantrum if they don’t get their way. They squeal when they see someone they love. They communicate through their actions; just because there are tears or frustration doesn’t mean they aren’t ready to learn. It means they are reacting just as they should in new situations and while learning new skills. 

Your Katy Survival Swimming Experts

The Survival Swimming Program at Texas Swim Academy is dedicated to equipping children with the necessary skills to survive in the water through private child-based learning lessons. Our instructors have been extensively trained and are knowledgeable and committed to giving young children the best survival swimming experience. Call us to learn more about our survival swimming program and enroll your child in survival swimming lessons. Texas Swim Academy remains committed to making a difference in the lives of children throughout our community and beyond. 

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.

Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!