A few words about children's diving...

Diving children has been a controversial topic. There were questions about how it would affect their development, is it even safe? Will it give children pleasure? More recently, diving schools have increasingly been running diving courses for children, and pictures of smiling faces are a direct assessment of their validity.

What does it look like?

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Let’s start with what a diving course for children looks like. The CMAS Federation, which certifies our students, offers 3 levels of training for children. Youth diver bronze from 8 to 10 years, youth diver silver from 10 to 12 years and youth diver gold from 12 to 14 years.

This means that the training programme is adapted to each age group. What is more, when a young student comes to us, we always approach him individually and adjust the activities to his developmental level. Classes for children up to 10 years old are conducted to the depth of 2 meters. It is a few dives that allow you to get acquainted with the water.

During these activities we entertain the children with underwater activities. You can do jigsaw puzzles, play ball and many other things. Of course we do not forget about theory. To make the children’s time more pleasant, we teach them in the jacuzzi, and instead of a projector, we have printed and laminated slides. In the junior diver package, the child receives a textbook, a diving book adapted to his/her level, stickers, a T-shirt, a certificate, a patch and many other presents.

These are awards for completing the course. A silver youth diver can dive to a depth of 3 – 6 metres. This is the time when you can show your child the underwater world of the lakes. Of course, after the course you receive a certificate and another badge. Youth silver diver is for people up to the age of 14. Dives are conducted to the depth of 12 meters. This is already a prologue to the real diving course, which is P1. Youths who pass this course have passed a part of the P1 course programme.

Is it worth it for a child to dive?

And is it worth signing them up for football, judo or horse riding? Diving develops children in many ways. Not only do they improve their physical condition while swimming. They also learn many things about biology or physics. Only while diving can you learn the laws of physics in an easy and fun way, see the underwater world, learn about fish and plants. All this happens while having fun and getting to know your peers.

Together or separately?

A frequently asked question is whether a parent should dive with a child, or whether a child can dive without a parent? From our point of view, it is very good if in parallel a parent does a diving course with their children. This allows them to understand the sport and then enjoy the underwater world together. Due to the different programme, the course itself is done separately and then, under the supervision of an instructor, parents dive with their children. Often, whole families come to us wanting to spend time under water together. On the other hand, should a child dive without a parent? All children’s dives are conducted under the supervision of experienced instructors, so parents do not have to worry about their safety.

What about after the course?

We continue to have fun. During the school year, once a week a dive is organised for the children in the pool. There, in addition to developing their passion underwater, they can have fun. New games are invented for our kids all the time. From solving jigsaw puzzles and playing ball to pumping balloons under water. In summer, diving camps are organised for children and also for parents.

Diving camp Piłakno 2017

In July this year, we organised a diving camp for children at a diving base on Lake Piłakno. Apart from the children, the camp was attended by a group of parents doing the P1 course, as well as parents who did not dive but wanted to spend time together. Each child was taken underwater for individual trips around the underwater world. While some divers were diving, water games were organised for the rest of the young divers at the same time. At the same time, the adults tackled the tasks of the P1 course.

During the diving breaks we spent time together, playing, organising bonfires and evening cartoon shows. To make sure the children would not get bored apart from diving we took them on trips to Gi¿ycko and Mr±gowo. Evenings after successful dives were the time for integration, both for children and their parents. For five intense days we played, dived and spent time together. The culmination of our struggles was of course the certification ceremony for both young and old divers.

Is it worth it for children to dive? It is definitely worth it and it is very good when they dive with their parents. It is a great way to learn, have fun and spend free time together doing something really special. Because anyone who has ever been underwater knows that this is an amazing world meant only for the chosen ones. Do you also want to become the chosen one? Join us in the underwater world: divingtorun.pl

Photo: Agata Żmirska-Zbroniec, Przemysław Frąckowski, Aqua-Aga Diving Centre Team