Wednesday, July 13, 2011

SwimWays Swim Steps Can Help Your Child Have Fun and Learn Skills in the Pool This Summer {Review & Giveaway}

SwimWays ambassador{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Kat F!}

When Big Sister E was around eight or nine months old, she and I started taking swim lessons with friends at an indoor pool. Granted, I didn't expect that she would be learning the front crawl, but it was a fun and easy way to splash around in the water and hopefully get her used to being comfortable in it... plus, she was just so darn cute with her chubby cheeks in a little swimsuit (see right).

All went fine for quite a few months and we even tried out a few different programs throughout the city (they ended up, in fact, being pretty similar). However, when she reached around 14 months old, Big Sister E started to lose the enjoyment out of going. She didn't want to have to jump off of the edge or put her head under water or much more than just play with the plastic toys.

Seeing as the whole point was to learn some skills while mainly having a good time, that session was our last. How could making my daughter cry over jumping into the pool be helping her develop a love for swimming?

So we took a break and here it is years later and both Big Sister E and Little Sister B have taken a few swim lessons again, this time with them both old enough to really be into it (demonstrated clearly by Little Sister B at left). They loved jumping in, trying to get their arms and legs moving at the same time, and anything else that their instructors managed to teach them.

With the arrival of summer, however, we have taken time off from the lessons and instead are spending time outdoors at the neighborhood pools. The issue that we have now is that there is only one of me and two of them... meaning I'm going to need help keeping them safe as they venture in, while also hopefully encouraging them to use what they've learned in their previous lessons.

Which is why the timing couldn't have been better to have been invited to be a blog Ambassador for the innovative and high quality products from SwimWays.

With a passion for creating toys, floats, games, and gear that help you make the most of your time in the pool, SwimWays has a great line of products that have been developed to help children be safe in and around the water. Having helped kids learn to swim for over 40 years with their Swim Steps products, it is no wonder that SwimWays believes that learning to swim is an important life skill.

No matter what the age and skill level of the child, the Swim Steps program has a variety of high quality items that can help them gain the knowledge and practice that they need in order to grow up to be a great swimmer.

Step 1: It’s my first time in the pool.
Step 2: I’m ready to paddle and splash.
Step 3: Teach me to swim so we can play together.
Step 4: I can do it—watch me go!

With all of the information on not only how the Swim Steps program is specially designed and proven to help kids gradually gain confidence in the water, but on the products and levels as well, I found it easy to pick the one that would fit each of my children best.

When a variety of great gear and toys arrived from SwimWays, all we needed was a time to hit the pool to try them out! Both girls couldn't have been more excited about the Fairy Tails (miniature brightly-colored mermaids with wings that flutter) and the Rainbow Reef Fish (that uses batteries to really swim!) and were happy to play with them in and out of the water.

But then it was time to swim!

SwimWays defines Swim Step 2 as "I'm ready to paddle and splash," where toddlers may feel ready to jump right in, but they need support and security as they learn swimming skills. Their Swim Sweater, Swim Vest, and Swim Shorty are just right for comfort and freedom of movement yet fully keeping them safe.

Little Sister B was more than pleased to pull on her Swim Shorty (available in two sizes: small/medium for 17-30 lbs and medium/large for 26-40 lbs) and right away it was easy to see that it wasn't going to get in her way at all. What a great way to stay afloat with ease!

Alternatively, for another fantastic way to provide peace of mind to parents while giving children the independence to move in the water, SwimWays' Swim Vest can do just that.

By easily zipping on and off, yet with adjustable cords to keep it in place, the Swim Vest has sturdy foam inserts to keep your child safe and secure in the water.

We've been very happy with both the Swim Shorty and the Swim Vest and just how much confidence that they have provided for Little Sister B. I love knowing that she's splashing and kicking her way to better swim skills while I don't have to be holding onto her tightly every second that we're in the pool.

The Power Swimr is available in three sizes for children from 20 pounds up to 80 pounds and is just what early swimmers in Swim Step 3 need for that extra boost to get them ready to swim without being too cumbersome or providing more help than they need.

By having the floatation pads secure in their hidden pockets and adjustable cords to keep the whole thing snugly in place, once this was clipped on Big Sister E, she was ready to hop in the pool and give it a go.

It worked wonderfully! Instead of holding Big Sister E up on top of the water like a life jacket, it managed to provide just enough support to allow her to paddle around in the water but not too much that she didn't have to work to stay up. Once she realized that, she was thrilled to show off her skills and feel like such a big kid swimming around with the family members that were in the pool with her.

I also love that the Power Swimr can be adjusted to go along with the child's pace, meaning that we can remove some of the floatation padding as Big Sister E is able to swim more and more on her own. Instead of going from all to nothing, she will be able to progressively continue to get better and better!

I can't wait to watch my girls improve their swimming skills more and more as we use these products - they've already been tremendous assets to our time in the water. No wonder SwimWays are known as such experts when it comes to swim safety and learning how to swim!

Available directly on their website or on Amazon, SwimWays has the toys, games, gear and more that you're sure to enjoy with your children for quite some time to come. And, for a great deal, every weekend this month SwimWays is rewarding their Facebook and Twitter followers with special sales! Every Friday in July at 4 pm, SwimWays will announce a 2-day sale where prices on a certain product or product category will be greatly reduced - don't miss it!

For even more fun, this Thursday, July 14, at 9 pm EST SwimWays will be hosting their first ever #SwimSteps Twitter party! Join @SwimWays and the @SwimProfessor as they discuss water safety and exploration... and give out TONS of prizes! There's a custom Tweetgrid already made and you can find out more and RSVP beforehand to be a part of the fun!

Plus, thanks to the generosity of SwimWays, one person will be able to bring home a little extra entertainment and swim safety for the pool this summer, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of FishKicks Kickboard or Fishbites Soft Swimmies from SwimWays!

To enter to win: Visit SwimWays and tell me another of their great products that catches your eye.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow SwimWays on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN your choice of @SwimWays Kickboard or Swimmies for fun and safety in the water! http://bit.ly/prJxBm @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 3rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to SwimWays for the aforementioned products for me to review as well as the choice of a FishKicks Kickboard or Fishbites Soft Swimmies for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

225 comments:

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Anonymous said... 1

The toypedo football looks neat!

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 2

I like you on facebook #1

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 3

I like you on facebook #2

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 4

I like you on facebook #2

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 5

I entered your Edy's giveway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 6

I entered your childrens place giveaway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 7

I entered your walmart giveaway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 8

I entered your melissa & doug giveaway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 9

I entered your little tikes giveaway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 10

I entered your bounty giveaway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said... 11

I entered your bounty giveaway

careym13 at yahoo dot com

s said... 12

like the Ocean Art Light-up Large Jellies
tnxns09 at gmail dot com

s said... 13

like swimways on fb (sus)
tnxns09 at gmail dot com

s said... 14

gfc follower 2 (sl)
tnxns09 at gmail dot com

Mrs. Kaminski said... 15

Kenna would love Fairy Tails!

Katrina said... 16

I like the Spring Pool Hoops - Pirates too!
ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said... 17

another product that i like would be submergency looks like fun
taylorcmarves at aol dot com

Anonymous said... 18

i like swimways on twitter
taylormay84
taylorcmarves at aol dot com

Anonymous said... 19

i like swimways on fb
tay stevenson-marves
taylorcmarves at aol dot com

Anonymous said... 20

following you on twitter
taylormay84
tweeted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/TaylorMay84/status/91336885418467329
taylorcmarves at aol dotcom

Anonymous said... 21

following you on gfc
taylorcmarves at aol dot com
#1

Anonymous said... 22

following you on gfc
taylorcmarves at aol dot com
#2

Anonymous said... 23

email subscriber
taylorcmarves at aol dot com
#1

Anonymous said... 24

email subscriber
taylorcmarves at aol dot com
#2

Anonymous said... 25

i am a fan on fb
tay stevenson-marves
taylorcmarves at aol dot com
#1

Anonymous said... 26

i am a fan on fb
tay stevenson-marves
taylorcmarves at aol dot com
#2

Laurel said... 27

I love the Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy.
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Laurel said... 28

Entered A Parent Company giveaway
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Laurel said... 29

Entered Edy's giveaway
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Laurel said... 30

Entered anamalz giveaway
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Laurel said... 31

I'm an email subscriber 1
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Laurel said... 32

I'm a fan of you on fb 2
alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

Jessica said... 33

The cute little circle baby floats look fun!

Jessica said... 34

liked SwimWays on FB

Jessica said... 35

subscribe via email #1

Jessica said... 36

email subscriber #2

Jessica said... 37

FB fan #1

Jessica said... 38

FB fan #2

Jessica said... 39

on my blog roll #1

Jessica said... 40

on my blog roll #2

Jessica said... 41

button on my blog #1
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/

Jessica said... 42

button on my blog #3
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/

wildcat32 said... 43

I like the 3-in-1 Pool Party Game Combo.

monster6236 at gmail dot com

wildcat32 said... 44

follow and tweet http://twitter.com/#!/5memb/status/91838795237961728

monster6236 at gmail dot com

wildcat32 said... 45

entered the Prime Time Toys giveaway

monster6236 at gmail dot com

wildcat32 said... 46

entered the Little Tikes giveaway

monster6236 at gmail dot com

wildcat32 said... 47

entered the Little-Little Black Dress giveaway

monster6236 at gmail dot com

wildcat32 said... 48

entered the Edy's giveaway

monster6236 at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 49

The Power Swimr - Medium would be great for my son

Unknown said... 50

Follow TMC on Twitter @manthas24 and tweeted http://twitter.com/manthas24/status/91887530462560256

Unknown said... 51

1 Like TMC on FB – user id manthas24

Unknown said... 52

2 Subscribe to TMC Feed via google reader

Unknown said... 53

I entered for the Go Go Babyz

Unknown said... 54

I entered for the Little Tikes Garden Cart

Unknown said... 55

I entered for the Energizer

Unknown said... 56

I entered for the Jenlinn.com Sneakers

Unknown said... 57

I entered for the Check Mix

Unknown said... 58

I entered for the The Children’s Place

Unknown said... 59

I entered for the Edy’s Ice Cream

Unknown said... 60

I entered for the Wooden Anamalz

Linda W said... 61

The toypedo blast looks fun! email subscriber walk9@att.net

Jennifer said... 62

I like the Baby Spring Float/Diaper Combo

Jennifer said... 63

I like swimways on facebook!

Jennifer Smith Stewart

Jennifer said... 64

I follow via GFC!

Jennifer said... 65

I follow via GFC entry 2!

Jennifer said... 66

I subscribe via email!

Jennifer said... 67

I subscribe via email entry 2!

Jennifer said... 68

I like you on facebook!

Jennifer Smith Stewart

Jennifer said... 69

I like you on facebook entry 2!

Jennifer Smith Stewart

Jayne said... 70

i like the Disney Little Mermaid swim goggles

Karen said... 71

Would LOVE the Toypedo Football for my son :)

Karen Gonyea
ktgonyea at gmail.com

Karen said... 72

Like on FB 1

Karen Gonyea (Karen Powell)

Karen said... 73

Like on FB 2

Karen Gonyea (Karen Powell)

Karen said... 74

GFC 1

Karen Gonyea (Karen Powell)

Karen said... 75

GFC 2

Karen Gonyea (Karen Powell)

wigget said... 76

i love their swim vest

wigget said... 77

subscriber

wigget said... 78

subscriber 2

wigget said... 79

entered energizer giveaway

wigget said... 80

entered Little-Little Black Dress Shop giveaway

wigget said... 81

entered edy's giveaway

wigget said... 82

entered WhoNu? giveaway

kygirl said... 83

I like the finding nemo goggles
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 84

follow swimways on fb as charline stanley
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 85

follow gfc as stanleybilly
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 86

email subscriber
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 87

follow you on fb as charline stanley
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 88

follow gfc as stanleyiblly
#2
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 89

email susbcriber
#2
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kygirl said... 90

follow you on fb as charline stanley
#2
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Sarah said... 91

I like the finding nemo swim goggles

Sarah said... 92

follow sponsor on twitter
@skpowers3

Sarah said... 93

entered whonu?

Sarah said... 94

entered jennlinn

Sarah said... 95

entered go anywhere booster seat

Sarah said... 96

entered the childrens place

Sarah said... 97

entered edy's

Sarah said... 98

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/skpowers3/status/92970650481860608

Sarah said... 99

gfc follower 1

Sarah said... 100

rss subscriber 1

Sarah said... 101

rss subscriber 2

Sarah said... 102

email subscriber 1

Sarah said... 103

entered anamalz

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 104

The Disney Finding Nemo Swim Goggles are cool.

fastkat at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 105

I follow via GFC #1

fastkat at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 106

I follow via GFC #2

fastkat at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 107

I subscribe via RSS feed #1

fastkat at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 108

I subscribe via RSS feed #2

fastkat at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 109

Like you on FB #1
(Katrina Fries)

fastkat at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said... 110

Like you on FB #2
(Katrina Fries)

fastkat at gmail dot com

Sarah said... 111

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/skpowers3/status/93377327643373568

wigget said... 112

entered Rubbermaid High Chair and Tray
giveaway

Candie L said... 113

I like the RC cyber ray. Thank you

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

wigget said... 114

entered iTunes Gift Card giveaway

Miranda Ward said... 115

I love the Santa Cruz Lounge

freebiegoddess03@aol.com

Laura Love said... 116

I love the spring float recliner. nice!
lajohnson555 at yahoo dot com

polly said... 117

i like their baby spring float in purple.
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 118

follow gfc#1
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 119

follow gfc#2
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 120

email subscriber#1
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 121

email subscriber#2
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 122

entered analmz
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polly said... 123

entered peeps & co
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 124

entered endangerables
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polly said... 125

entered the best of callilou
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polly said... 126

entered rubbermaid
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polly said... 127

entered azo
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 128

entered itunes
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 129

entered go anywhere booster
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 130

entered chex mix
pkeintz@gmail.com

polly said... 131

entered edys ice cream
pkeintz@gmail.com

wigget said... 132

entered Roary the Racing Car DVD giveaway

wigget said... 133

entered jcpenney giveaway

Unknown said... 134

i also like the swimsweater

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 135

i follow swimways on twitter

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 136

im a follower on gfc 1

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 137

im a follower on gfc 2

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 138

im a subscriber

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 139

im a subscriber 2

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 140

im a fan on facebook 1

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 141

im a fan on facebook 2

ratherbechangingdiapers[at]gmail[dot]com

Sarah said... 142

I like the Swim Vest (Swim Steps 2 - Water Exploration)!

slbastin at gmail dot com

kelley wood said... 143

toypedo football is pretty cool

Wise Owl Designs said... 144

I like the Spring Jame Basketball

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 145

GFC follower under Wise Owl Designs

#1

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 146

GFC follower under Wise Owl Designs

#2

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 147

Email subscriber #1

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 148

Email subscriber #2

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 149

Facebook Fan Liz Wiseowldesigns

#1

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 150

Facebook Fan Liz Wiseowldesigns

#1

wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 151

Entered the Edy's giveaway


wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Wise Owl Designs said... 152

Entered the JCPenneys Giveaway



wiseowldesignsinc at gmail dot com

Emmy Coffee said... 153

I like the Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy

Emmy Coffee said... 154

I like swimways on FB (@emmy coffee)

Emmy Coffee said... 155

Google Friend (1)

Emmy Coffee said... 156

Google Friend (2)

Emmy Coffee said... 157

Facebook Fan (@emmy coffee) 1

Emmy Coffee said... 158

Facebook Fan (@emmy coffee) 2

Kira said... 159

My youngest would like the Baby Spring Float Activity Center - No Canopy.

Kris said... 160

I like the float recliner
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 161

I like swim ways on facebook
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 162

I entered Azo
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 163

I entered peeps
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 164

I entered i tunes
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Kris said... 165

I entered zoe
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Kris said... 166

I entered shaun the sheep
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 167

I entered roary the racing car
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 168

I entered jcpenney
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Kris said... 169

I entered beaducation
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 170

I entered seventh generation
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Kris said... 171

I follow you on gfc #1
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 172

I follow you on gfc #2
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 173

I subscribe to your rss feed #1
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 174

I subscribe to your rss feed #2
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 175

I subscribe to your email #1
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 176

I subscribe to your email #2
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 177

I like you on facebook #1
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 178

I like you on facebook #2
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 179

I entered Edy's
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Kris said... 180

I entered Anamalz
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Jan Messali said... 181

I love the Rainbow Reef Turtles pool decor.
janmessali (at) gmail.com

Kris said... 182

I entered Caillou
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

Anonymous said... 183

Cool stuff!

crystalgrant84 said... 184

I would love the Santa Cruz lounge to just hang out in all day!

crystalgrant84(at)hotmail(dot)com

crystalgrant84 said... 185

I entered the Edy's ice cream giveaway.


crystalgrant84(at)hotmail(dot)com

Theresa said... 186

I like the 3-in-1 Pool Party Game Combo

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 187

I like SwimWays on Twitter

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 188

I like Swim Ways on Facebook

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 189

I entered the Edy's ice cream giveaway

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 190

7/31 tweet http://twitter.com/#!/tkups575/status/97753963000119296

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 191

I follow you via GFC #1

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 192

I follow you via GFC #2

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 193

I subscribe to your e-mail #1

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 194

I subscribe to your e-mail #2

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Theresa said... 195

8/1 tweet http://twitter.com/#!/tkups575/status/98021207319920641

cc_girly@yahoo.com

Kris said... 196

I entered Jenlinn.com
loveforcoupons@gmail.com

April said... 197

I like the Catalina Lounge

4robert2win(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said... 198

swim vest
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said... 199

i like on fb 1
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said... 200

i like on fb 2
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

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