How SwimFin Helped With Sensory Processing Disorder

If you follow our Instagram account then you couldn’t fail to notice our love for SwimFin. This is a flotation device shaped like a shark fin that helps children (and adults) learn to swim. It is thanks to SwimFin that Adam loves to be in the water. Here is our story of how SwimFin helped with Sensory Processing Disorder.

At the beginning of 2015 Adam hated swimming. He loved being in the water but keeping him safe was extremely difficult. He detested the neoprene swim jacket and would scream if we attempted to put arm bands on him. He found the devices too restrictive and hard to deal with. As he had no understanding of the dangers of water we stopped going swimming.  At this point we did not know Adam had Sensory Processing Disorder.

That summer we were planning to spend a week in Ibiza. We knew we had to solve Adam’s issue around swimming if we were to have a chance of enjoying our seaside holiday. After searching the internet I discovered SwimFin and we purchased a blue SwimFin. It has always taken Adam a long time to get used to something new so over the next few days we let him play with the SwimFin and helped him put it on his teddy bear. After watching the SwimFin in action on YouTube Adam asked if he could wear it himself. This was a huge leap for Adam. We placed the SwimFin over top of his t-shirt and adjusted the velcro straps. Adam said it felt like the Swim Fin was giving him a nice hug. We felt brave enough to take Adam swimming again.

At the pool Adam insisted that he wore a t-shirt underneath his SwimFin, just as he had done at home. We were so relieved that he wanted to wear the SwimFin again so we let him. The swimming session was a huge success. Adam could enjoy the water without us having to hold on to him all of the time. We knew he was completely save. Adam soon learnt that he had to kick his legs in order to stay afloat. That is one of the reasons why I love the SwimFin so much. It helps children to learn to swim rather than being dependent on a flotation device that simply keeps them afloat in the water.

Our holiday to Ibiza was a huge success. Adam spent the entire week in the water wearing his SwimFin. Everybody commented on his shark fin. At first Adam was unsure why people sang the Jaws theme tune or shouted “shark!” whenever he swam past but now he plays along.

Since SwimFin entered our lives, swimming has become a regular event that we can now enjoy. We contacted SwimFin to thank them for opening up a new world for Adam. They asked us to review a number of SwimFin accessories including an orange SwimFin, a child’s back pack, Dinky Divers Dive Sticks and Funky Floaties.

Orange SwimFin

I am very proud to say we are owners of two SwimFins – a blue one and an orange one. Adam gets to choose which colour he will take to the pool. Orange is his favourite colour so it is usually picked.

Adam’s orange SwimFin came with us on our second Bluestone holiday, our Cromer holiday and on our two week holiday to Gran Canaria.

Dad-Dads school also has an outdoor swimming pool which we practically lived in throughout the summer holidays.

SwimFin Back Pack

Adam adores wearing his SwimFin Back Pack.

His SwimFin fits into the front of the bag and is held securely in place. The bag is large enough to hold his swimming costume, towel, t-shirt and swimming toys.

It makes transporting the SwimFin really easy and looks fantastic on Adams back. The back pack is available in black or pink.

Funky Floaties

The Funky Floaties have been a huge hit with Adam and his friends.

The crab, dolphin, turtle and penguin are made from neoprene fabric. They are water resistant so float on top of the water.

Adam loves to swim and retrieve an animal or swim around the pool pretending that the animals are racing.

The Funky Floaties are UV resistant and come in a drawstring mesh bag.

Dinky Divers Dive Sticks

Although Adam is reluctant to go under water it doesn’t stop him enjoying his Dinky Divers Dive Sticks. The Dinky Divers sink to the bottom of the pool and remain standing upright. They aim to build childrens confidence underwater and help them learn to dive.

At the moment Adam enjoys throwing the shark, hippo, seal and sea horse whilst we retrieve them from the bottom of the pool. He also created a game where we placed them on the side of the pool and he had to knock them over using a water pistol.

At the end of a swimming session  the water comes out of the sticks easily and the Dinky Divers can be stored in the mesh bag.

I do not know what we would have done for the past 18 months without SwimFin. The device has helped Adam overcome many Sensory Processing Disorder challenges. It enables him to enjoy the water whilst keeping him safe. As the SwimFin can be used as a teaching aid, flotation device and a fun water toy, I know the SwimFin will be enjoyed for many more years.

Disclaimer: We were sent an orange SwimFin, Dinky Divers, Back Pack and Funky Floaties to review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

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