Swimming in the ocean is a whole different ballgame than swimming in a pool.
To start, the difference between the two lies in their water temperature, with ocean water being significantly colder than pool water.
This is largely thanks to the fact that seawater has a much lower salinity level than human-made pools do; as a result, it’s easier for your body to regulate heat loss when you’re swimming in an ocean compared to when you’re swimming in a pool.
The second difference is visibility.
While pools are often filled with clean, clear water, oceans contain lots of dirt and sand that can cloud up your view while you’re underwater—and even when you’re not! If you don’t want to be constantly straining your eyes to see where you’re going, we recommend wearing goggles or another kind of face cover when swimming in open waters.
The Ocean tends to be a different beast.
The biggest difference. Waves!
Waves and currents are usually few and far between in pools; however, oceans are much larger bodies of water that create freak waves and unknown danger to the untrained eye. If you’re worried about getting knocked over by waves while swimming outdoors, try practicing first in shallow waters so that you get used to what it feels like before moving into the deeper parts of the unknown!!
Pick Your Day. And Spot!
Children often pick up basic swimming skills faster when they’re younger, but they also tend to enjoy playing around in shallow waters that aren’t too deep for their age range—which makes them feel more confident about swimming as they grow older!
Find an area where they can challenge and enjoy themselves. A few waves here and there may knock them over but you will soon see their awareness and confidence start to accelerate once they have a helping hand to reassure them.
Remember it’s easier for you as a parent to supervise children in an area where you are in control.
Years later, that same sense is what inspires me to continue swimming in the ocean. No matter how many times I have swum out there, the feeling of wonder and admiration hasn’t faded. I don’t know what spurred this feeling originally, but it has stayed with me all for years. To many people, swimming in the ocean can be a dangerous thing. There are sharks, jellyfish, rips, you name it.
Aside from these serious issues though, there’s still something magical about the ocean when you look at it on a clear day or night, calm or wild. It’s like a never-ending sight to behold and doesn’t fail to inspire me time and time again.
My advice. Get your children close enough so they can start to appreciate the wonder it has to offer.