Swim aids are a bit like armbands but more versatile, as they can be adjusted as a child’s swimming improves. The aids are tough foam discs and beginners wear three on each arm. As they become stronger swimmers and need less help with buoyancy, the number of discs can be reduced to two and then one per arm. At one disc they are virtually keeping themselves afloat, but the swim aids provide extra reassurance. Conversely, if a child has been swimming about all day and is getting tired, for example in the pool on holiday, the number of discs worn can be increased.
Stockists Newitts, 01904 468551

CHILD INTERMEDIATE
Shell Seekers, £13

Games are a brilliant way of boosting a child’s confidence as a swimmer, particularly in getting them used to having their head underwater. There are some great games available which will get children swimming — and, therefore, exercising — more without them even noticing. Shell Seekers (pictured above) requires participants to dive underwater and hunt for matching pairs of weights, so learning to hold breath for longer and thereby increasing lung capacity will simply be part of the game. Also great fun are the Seaweed Slalom (£13, Swimshop, 01582 562111), which involves swimming through weighted plastic seaweed fronds that are dropped into the pool, and Speedo’s game Find the Fish (£13).
Stockists Speedo, 0115 9105267

CHILD ADVANCED
Fastskin suit, £150

For a child who swims competitively and is serious about their swimming, a Fastskin suit provides that extra edge. Unless you are an Olympian, there is really no need for a full-body suit, but for boys a pair of Fastskin shorts and for girls a Fastskin costume can be an advantage. These specialist suits cling to your body, letting you move more quickly through the water.
Stockists Speedo, 0115 9105267

ADULT BEGINNER
Centre mount-snorkel, £30

Although these centre mount snorkels can look a bit funny, they are really useful as quite often when learning to swim it is getting the breathing right that causes the most problems. Beginners sometimes have to concentrate so hard on turning their head to breathe that they cannot focus on their technique, but a centre-mount snorkel has a tube that rises from between the eyes, allowing the wearer to breathe while facing forwards. This means that they can think about the mechanics of their stroke, and the balance of their body in the water, rather than spending all their time distracted and worrying about getting oxygen on board.
Stockists SwimStop 02392 264196; www.swimstop.co.uk

ADULT INTERMEDIATE
Pull-buoy, £2.70

For intermediate-level swimmers, improving fitness can be the best way of boosting your performance. Using a pull-buoy, which is placed between your legs while swimming, means that you can’t use your legs to kick and so you have to propel yourself along using only your arms. This means that you get a better cardiovascular workout from your swim as you really have to work your arms hard to keep moving or your legs start to drop and you’ve got that sinking feeling. At the same time you are building upper-body strength, particularly in the shoulders. Isolating the upper body for special attention in this way also results in improved technique.
Stockists Swimshop, 01582 562111

ADULT ADVANCED
Hand paddles, £14

Hand paddles are a great way for advanced swimmers to add strength to their stroke. They make the surface area of the hand bigger, increasing water resistance and building the muscles needed to enhance your speed. Look for a model that has adjustable straps and be careful to get the appropriate size as using paddles that are too big or are loosely attached can lead to injury. Fins do a similar thing for the legs, with the added advantage that they can help to improve strength and flexibility in your ankles.
Stockists Swimstop, 02392 264196

Compiled by Fran Yeoman

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