Baby learns to swim with Konfidence
Baby and I are thrilled to be able to announce that we are official Swimologists (Ambassadors) for Konfidence. Konfidence is Europe’s largest designer and manufacturer of baby swimming products, buoyancy aids, UVPF sun protection clothing and wetsuits for children up to 14 years of age. Founded in 1998 and based in Cornwall, Konfidence is a family run business with four generations involved (including the little ones testing and modelling the products).
The multi award winning products, which include the Original Konfidence Jacket and the Babywarma baby wetsuit, are now sold in 22 countries worldwide, including 14 countries in Europe, North America, South Africa, Malaysia, China and Hong Kong.
Taking Baby swimming is something I have wanted to do for months, ever since she was born really. However, my own personal body image issues have prevented me so far. Being given this opportunity is the push I need to put my own worries aside and take Baby swimming. I learned to swim as a child and as an adult I used to swim before work and I really enjoyed it, but I haven’t been for a few years. Hr Hubby cannot swim, he was never given proper lessons and on the couple of occasions he tried it didn’t go well! I think it is very important that children learn to swim; most importantly from a safety point of view, but also for health and fun. I feel I would have missed out on so much when I was growing up if I couldn’t swim.
Why Swimologist?
This fable says “You may study all the “-ologies” of the world, but if you do not learn swimology, all your studies are useless.”
This resonates with Konfidence’s ethos and this Swimologist learn to swim journey:
“The learn to swim journey from first getting into the water with your baby, to their first underwater dive through to gaining independence in the water and achieving their first distance certificate are all momentous and joyous moments in a child’s life. They come with many highs – and their smile when they are rewarded their first swimming certificate is a cherished one.”
Konfidence have gone on this momentous journey with their own children (and grandchildren) and want to further enhance all these special family moments by providing us with tried and trusted products that will help keep our little ones safe, comfortable and warm in the water and that give them the confidence to learn how to swim.
So what does being a Swimologist mean to us?
Konfidence have kindly arranged for Baby to attend Aqua Babies to join in with their baby and toddler swim course. Aqua Babies is run by Eddie, Lora and their team of instructors. They care passionately that the emphasis of their baby & toddler swimming classes is on the little ones. Teaching them how to swim in a secure environment; understanding how to stay safe in and around the water and HAVING FUN. We are very excited!
Konfidence have sent us some amazing products to use on Baby’s ‘learning to swim journey’ and we will review them along the way.
The Babywarma – Made from a flexible 2mm-thick soft neoprene, the Babywarma® enables babies aged 0-24 months to stay warmer in the swimming pool for much longer than would be possible without it, and provides parents with a higher grip surface when holding their child in the water. It is 100% UV protective, and features clever design techniques that ensure a snug, “huggable” fit, for maximum safety, comfort and performance – it also opens flat to allow quick nappy changes. Awarded Gold by Mother & Baby in the Best Safety Product 2011-2012 category.
AquaNappy – Designed in partnership with swim schools and parents, the one size fits all AquaNappy for babies aged from 3 to 30 months, features a unique triple-layered polyester design with elasticised leg openings. It has a durable polyester outer, a recycled plastic middle barrier layer and a soft protective inner that sits next to the baby’s skin – all in one product – so there is no need to wear another nappy over or under. It also offers great value for money, as well as being eco-friendly.
Neo Nappy – The Konfidence Neo Nappy features an elasticated waist and leg hems made of soft stretchy Lycra, and is worn over a normal swim nappy such as the Konfidence AquaNappy, to provide that all-important extra layer of protection. Approved for use in all major swim UK baby swim schools.
Roll & Go Changing Mat – Perfect for the swimming pool or when you are on the go, Konfidence’s extra-large lightweight changing mat is made from 3mm thick chlorine-resistant neoprene cushioned foam, with an embossed treaded underside, which provides grip so that it won’t slip or slide on wet surfaces. The practical ‘roll and go’ design with integral lycra strap, which fastens around the rolled up mat to keep it secure, means it is easy to carry to and from the pool – or use as a normal changing mat when out and about. Awarded Gold in Mother & Baby’s 2011-2012 Best Travel Product category and Gold for Best Travel Accessory 2013 by Loved By Parents
We start our course today! So check back soon to see how Baby (and I!) got on. Many thanks to Konfidence for giving us this opportunity.
Disclosure: We have received a swimming course and Konfidence products in conjunction with this post.
Comments 82
Hope you have fun! That’s he most important thing – for both of you. X
Author
Thank you very much x
Well done on being chosen. 🙂 We look forward to reading about your little one’s swimming journey
Author
Thank you very much x
Well done! My boys were such different swimmers; my oldest learned by himself in Florida at age 3 with little friends, and my youngest walked into the water at just over 11 months old, fell over and carried on crawling into a swim! Being confident in the water is essential – I hope you have fun!
Author
Wow amazing! Thank you, I hope she will get over her water fear! x
Brilliant! I really must get my arse in gear now the weather is nicer and get back in the habit of taking my toddler swimming every week. Such an important skill to learn.
Author
Thanks, yes I agree, very important. Have fun x
I am really passionate about the importance of children learning to swim. Getting them confident in the water from a young age is paramount to this journey – well done!
Author
It’s a bit later than I planned but we are doing it now, so fingers crossed she takes to it x
I am a frustrated swimmer so I really want my kids to learn how to swim. My older son is taking swimming lessons currently and I plan to enroll my little girl too. To answer the questions: I want to swim in the Pacific ocean!
Author
I hope they get on ok with their swimming. Yes that would be lovely! x
I can’t swim but I’d love to learn one day. I hope you both have a wonderful time 🙂
Author
Thank you very much. It will be an adventure x
Hope you enjoy! Sounds like you have some great adventures ahead!
Author
Thank you very much x
Congratulations on becoming a Swimologist! Have lots of fun!
Author
Thank you. We will I’m sure! x
Congrats on being a swimologist! Learning to swim is such an essential life lesson – you never know when you’ll need it…plus it’s so much fun – I love swimming! x
Author
Thank you! Yes I agree. I love swimming too x
well done! my girls love going swimming x
Author
Thank you x
A great post – i am not much of a swimmer myself as i have a little fear but i really want for my toddler to love the water – it is great to see these products. Good luck with your journey! Off to enter the competition now ; )
Author
Thank you very much, Good luck! x
What a fantastic opportunity. I am a rubbish swimmer but the little ones all started swimming lessons from 3, as they are so confident and we were keen to channel it! I think my 5 year old already swims better than me! Good luck with the lessons I hope you both enjoy them!
Author
Thank you, I hope she takes to it x
Looks like Baby will be really cosy in the water in that outfit. We had something similar for my third baby, and he stayed toasty. Hope you have fun.
Author
Thanks, the first sessions was an experience! The equipment was great and she did stay lovely and warm x
I love Konfidence, they’re a great brand and we have used them in the past. Learning to swim is SO important…it’s a great thing to be promoting. Congratulations on being chosen.
Author
Thank you so much, we are thrilled to be given the opportunity x
They look like great products. Well done and good luck on your swimming journey.
Author
They are such lovely products. Thank you very much, it is going to be such fun x
I would lobe to swim in a warm spring
Author
Oh that would be lovely. Good luck x
I would like to swim in the Solent.
Author
Good luck in the competition x
I’m so glad you got this opportunity to be swimologist. Baby swimming is really good.
Author
We are very pleased to be given the opportunity x
Koh Takiyab beach in Thailand
Author
Good luck x
I would love to go swimming over the great barrier reef
Author
Wow that would be amazing x
Swimming with your little one is the most fantastic experience ever. Enjoy it x
Author
Thank you very much. I hope she ends up loving it x
I think that getting children swimming from an early age is really important as they have so much natural confidence at that age. Hope you have tonnes of fun 🙂
Author
Thank you very much. She was very scared but I hope she will get use to it x
Great competition – I have entered. I am hoping to get Maxwell involved more in swimming. He loves water but hates the pool. He will get there soon.
Author
Good luck. I hope Maxwell gets used to it x
I would love to swim in the ocean if I could overcome my fear.Well done 🙂
Author
Thanks, we are very happy to be involved with such a great company x
Hope you enjoy swimming. Pip and I loved our weekly swimming lesssons during my maternity leave.
Author
I love it, Baby less so, but hopefully she will get used to it and start to enjoy it x
Congrats and also a great competition! I really need to get F back in the pool! x
Author
Thanks very much, we are very happy. Good luck with getting F swimming again x
Well done you, what a great opportunity! My son’s just started swimming lessons at school so will be checking Konfidence out 🙂
Author
Thank you, we are very pleased. I hope he is having fun with his swimming x
Well done, what a great company to be an ambassador for.
Author
Thank you. We are thrilled to be Swimologists for Konfidence x
Well done you. I’ve just had my last baby swim class today as my mat leave is finishing. My baby has been snug in her Konfidence swim wear. I’m not much of a swimmer myself so to answer the question I would love to go swimming to a splash park when my baby is older. I loved wave pools etc when I was a child.
Author
Oh I did too! I hope she settles into it a bit more next week x
i feel so guilty, I’ve not taken W swimming in over a year! must rectify this soon! x
Author
I sure he won’t mind, but have fun when you go back x
If I could swim anywhere I would swim in the Bahamas where the pigs swim, because I love pigs and I love swimming 🙂
Well done on becoming an ambassador, I hope you all have lots of fun, we live next to the sea so know how important learning to swim is xx
Author
Thank you very much, we are very pleased to represent Konfidence x
Congratulations on becomming a swimologist!
I’d love to swimming in the Siwa Oasis in Egypt.
Author
Thank you very much. Oh that sounds lovely x
with my babies swimming with dolphins in florida 🙂 amazing 🙂
Author
Oh that would be amazing x
The great barrier reef!
Author
Lovely x
I would love to one day swim in the open water. Jump off a boat without fear and go for a swim. Just need to gain confidence first 🙂
Author
You should set it as a personal challenge x
Yes I should! That’s a great plan Batman 😉
Author
🙂 x
A far of tropical island would he amazing
Author
Good luck x
Great products, I’m teaching my little man to swim , his very clingy in the water and slightly nervous, I need to maybe try your products to maybe give him the confidence he needs, 🙂
Author
They are great products. Baby was really scared the first time, but her flashing duck gave her something to focus on x
Congrats on being chosen! What a brilliant opportunity 🙂
If I could choose I’d take our kiddies swimming somewhere lovely and very warm, Tahiti or Caribbean <3
Author
Yes we are thrilled to be Swimologists
Swimming down the local pool in Brighton 🙂
Author
We have never been to Brighton, but it is somewhere we want to visit x