THE PARENT'S POOLSIDE GUIDE

Help Your Child Become a Confident Swimmer-One Skill at a Time

You want to help your child become a stronger, more confident swimmer, but knowing what to teach, what order to teach it in and how to correct mistakes can feel overwhelming. Swimming From the Start gives you a clear, progressive plan with simple explanations, child-friendly teaching cues, practical drills and troubleshooting advice. Created by swim coach and Aqua Academy founder Katie Mervyn. Build confidence. Understand swimming technique. Know what to practise next.

Designed to support water confidence and skill development with active adult supervision.

Is this guide right for your family?

The guide is designed primarily for beginner and early-stage swimmers, while also covering more advanced skills for children who are ready to progress.

You want to teach your child at home

Follow a structured progression rather than choosing random swimming activities each time you enter the pool.

Your child already takes swimming lessons

Better understand what your child is learning so you can reinforce the same skills and language between lessons.

Your child is a beginner

Begin with water confidence, breath control, floating and kicking before progressing toward complete strokes.

You want more purposeful pool time

Turn casual swimming into short, positive practice sessions without removing the fun.

A complete progression-from first experiences to full strokes

  • How to introduce the water calmly.
  • How to establish pool rules and active supervision.
  • How to manage fear and reduce reliance on flotation aids.
  • Breath control and face submersion.
  • Front floats, back floats, and float transitions.
  • Straight-leg kicking and kick endurance.
  • Streamline and wall push-offs.
  • Front crawl and side breathing.
  • Backstroke and body rotation.
  • Treading water and eggbeater kick.
  • Breaststroke kick and arms.
  • Butterfly body movement and dolphin kick.
  • Safe skill progressions for dives.
  • Sculling and elementary backstroke.
  • Building swimming distance.
  • Introducing flip turns.
  • Recognizing common mistakes.
  • Choosing the next skill to practise.

Take a Look Inside

Clear instructions, practical corrections and teaching cues designed for real parents practising in real family pools.

Meet Katie Mervyn

Katie Mervyn is the founder of Aqua Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia. After more than ten years coaching competitive swimmers and running learn-to-swim programs, Katie created Swimming From the Start to give parents the same clear cues, progressions and troubleshooting tools she uses when teaching in the water. Her approach keeps technical swimming instruction positive, understandable and fun. Helping children build strong skills without losing their love of the water. The book describes ten years of coaching experience and a teaching approach that takes families from their first pool experiences toward independent swimming.

 

 

 

 

 

Founder of Aqua Academy
Competitive and learn-to-swim coach
Based in Kelowna, British Columbia

Purchase Swimming From the Start

Choose the format that works best for your family.

Paperback

Swimming From the Start Paperback

Prefer a physical guide you can keep nearby while planning your child’s pool practice? Order the paperback through Amazon and work through the skills at your family’s pace.

Digital guide

Swimming From the Start Digital Guide

Receive the complete PDF guide, including the printable lesson planner and poolside skill-progression reference card. Read it on your phone, tablet or computer and print the included planning resources for personal use.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some common questions about Swimming From the Start. If you have other questions, please contact us.

Who is this guide designed for?

The guide is designed for parents of beginner and early-stage swimmers. It can be used by parents teaching at home or by families who want to better understand and reinforce what their child is learning during swimming lessons.

Does this replace professional swimming lessons?

No. The guide provides educational information, teaching cues and structured practice ideas, but it does not replace instruction from a qualified swimming professional.

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?

The supervising adult should be confident in the water and able to support the child safely. Do not attempt a skill that is beyond your own comfort or swimming ability.

What equipment will I need?

Many activities require only access to a suitable pool. Goggles, a kickboard, a pool noodle and a few small floating toys are helpful for some drills. Several activities use shallow-end pool stairs, but they can be adapted when stairs are unavailable.

Can I print the digital guide?

The printable lesson planner and poolside quick-reference card are specifically designed to be printed for personal use. The remainder of the guide can be read digitally or printed for your own household use.

Can I use the book if my child already takes lessons?

Yes. The guide can help you understand the technique, language and progressions your child is learning so you can support their practice between lessons.