You are here:
- Home
- Recreation/Outdoors
- Swimming
- Swimming & Diving
Swimming & Diving/Questions Answered by Expert Kate Fontaine
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Strengthening | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: this question might be a bit unrelated. I was wondering if swimming would help solve my shoulder ... A: I cannot tell you for sure if it will help. Swimming is however low impact and good for joint and ... | |
| freestyle swimming and shoulder pain | 2/20/2011 |
| Q: Kate Fontaine I normally swim 2 days a week. Recently I've been feeling a pain in my shoulder, ... A: I would not stop swimming as for it is a great sport and relatively low impact on the body. I do not ... | |
| freestyle turn | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: As usual as I approach the wall I will put my hands at the side of my body. After I flip over in the ... A: Good Morning, I think I need a little more information from you. It sounds like your freestyle turn ... | |
| unable to swim | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: I have a friend and he knows how to swim he just can't. He can swim ten or fifteen feet and then ... A: That is a great question. Has he had the opportunity to work with a kick board on endurance? How is ... | |
| Fear of Going Under Water | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: I'm 49 years old and have fear of going under water due to a couple of traumatic events as a kid ... A: I would suggest using the snorkel and mask at a local pool. That shouldn't be a problem. With a ... | |
| Floating and Swimming! | 4/16/2010 |
| Q: I've read some of the questions asked on here and didn't find anything quite to what I was looking ... A: Truthfully I am not sure how to help you. Increasing your body fat to an unhealthy level would not ... | |
| backstroke to breaststroke IM turn | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: I 'll like to know when doing the backstroke to breaststroke IM turn, how do you go about it? It ... A: Eddie, I am sorry but I do not know what IM is. Is that an abbreviation? Personally I do the flip ... | |
| freestyle breathing | 11/4/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to train for a tri, have been marathon runner. Working on free-style struggling with ... A: I am sorry I just saw this question today. The combination of the freestyle crawl and kick with ... | |
| treading water | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: ..i am learning to swim day by day and come to see that it is extremely fun and gives you a great ... A: The concept of treading water and coming back up to the top after jumping in are similar with the ... | |
| breathing technique | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: I have been swimming regularly for about two months now . I can swim with my face in water (I ... A: The best way on the crawl stroke is to start with either the side of the pool or a kickboard and you ... | |
| Butterfly stroke...!!! | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: let me admit here that I am a good daily swimmer, especially with butterfly and backstroke. Most of ... A: Good Morning Raj, My honest answer is that the butterfly doesn't have a good (different) technique ... | |
| buoyancy and effort w/ flutter kick | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: The issue is buoyancy and effort when using the flutter kick with freestyle (crawl) arm movement. ... A: First let me congratulate you with the decision on teaching yourself how to swim. This website may ... | |
| 3 yr old - loves water, hates lessons... | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: My 3 year old just started her first lessons this week (Mon.) and LOVED the first day. She loves the ... A: Since it is paid for I would allow her to sit on the side until she chooses to join. Threatening to ... | |
| Floating techniques | 4/5/2009 |
| Q: I am a beginner and I am having some problems while floating.Whenever I am trying to float without ... A: Sorry for the delay. When swimming you should always use your legs in a relaxed manor (not to ... | |
| Floating techniques | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: I am a beginner and I am having some problems while floating.Whenever I am trying to float without ... A: I'm not sure what you mean by turning back but your legs should never be stiff when you try to ... | |
| Teaching children to swim | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I am looking at teaching children how to swim. The age range of the children are between 1yr to ... A: I am sorry for my slow response. I will attempt to answer your questions. 1- For liability purposes ... | |
| Swimming Stroke | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know the symmetry of hand and leg motion for the frog style and how to synchronize ... A: The technique for the breast stroke (proper name) is very basic. You do a frog style kick but when ... | |
| lung capacity | 10/23/2008 |
| Q: do swimmers tend to have a huge lung capacity or a small one?.. also why is it important for a ... A: I do not know the exact physiology regarding lung capacity of swimmers. Most competitive swimmers do ... | |
| Getting tired in the middle of lap | 9/22/2008 |
| Q: I am a beginner in swimming, I took one session of adult swimming class. I am practicing for past 3 ... A: First off I would like to congratulate you in making swimming an integrated part of your life. The ... | |
| About swimming | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: 1.How to be calm and relax in swimming? 2.How can I be fitness for swimming? 3.What kind of food ... A: Practice is key to being relaxed in the water. I would suggest for fitness (non-competative) to try ... | |
| teaching a 19-month old to swim | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I enrolled my 19-month old in swim lessons, and the teacher immediately did two things ... A: I would use your digression when starting to teach a 19 month old (I know my 9 month old loves water ... | |
| beginning swimmer-- 500 meter swim | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: I was recently hired by a camp to be a counselor. After they hired me, they informed me that each ... A: Please do not get discouraged by my answer. First off was this in your job description? My concern ... | |
| swimmers' body | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I noticed that swimmers' body are very lean, slim and yet not bulky. Do they do weights or is it due ... A: Quite the contrary the best swimmers are those with strong muscles and a little chunk to help them ... | |
| immersing head under water | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: My 2.6 year old daughter enters the water confidently with arm bands. However, she is terrified of ... A: I would suggest enrolling her in a swim lesson with other kids her age. Also it helps to sing songs ... | |
| 4-year-old son got pushed at pool | 4/3/2008 |
| Q: I took my 4-year old son (just turned 4) for his first swimming lesson without me in the water the ... A: Can you talk to the teacher and ask if Daddy can get in the pool for 1 lesson? (accidents happen ... | |
| Breathing troubles | 3/9/2008 |
| Q: I can't seem to get the hang of rotary breathing due to the issue of getting lots of water up my ... A: When you are doing rotary breathing you should be breathing through your mouth. I have had horrible ... | |
| floating and swimming | 3/1/2008 |
| Q: I'm 14 years of age and i took 2 weeks swimming lesson 2 months ago. Before that, I couldn't swim or ... A: Learning to swim takes time. I would suggest trying to build up your endurance by using a kickboard ... | |
| swim - beginner | 2/13/2008 |
| Q: I have problem keeping my feet above water. My instructor suggested that I kick harder, but it ... A: Your feet when you kick should be under water. If your instructor is teaching you to kick above ... | |
| 3yr old hates swimming | 2/8/2008 |
| Q: I have been taking my 3 year old daughter for swimming lessons for over a year now but she has not ... A: That is great that they got a new teacher and I am happy to hear that the other teacher was patient ... | |
| 3yr old hates swimming | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: I have been taking my 3 year old daughter for swimming lessons for over a year now but she has not ... A: I hate to answer a question with a question but has she had the same teacher for all of her lessons? ... | |
| breaststroke style swimming | 1/13/2008 |
| Q: Im an adult woman just learning to swim. I am doing the breaststroke style. I am able to swim with ... A: Good Morning, When you are doing the breast stroke be sure that your arms are only coming as far ... | |
| Building up stamina | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: I am ashamed to say that I have not exercised during my life but have now decided at the age of 67 ... A: I would suggest to just keep doing what your doing and not to push it. If you can only do 15 ... | |
| Toddler Swimming Lessons | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: Have a 4 yr old, just started swimming lessons yesterday, loved the first day, now 2nd day, says she ... A: I agree with the instructor and I hope everything worked out. I must personally appologize to you. I ... | |
| Motivating My Son | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: We live in Florida and have access to a safe nice swimming pool. I have a 12 years old son who ... A: I would strongly suggest private lessons with a friend or two of his that he is comfortable with. I ... | |
| Adult Swimming | 5/4/2007 |
| Q: I am a 30yr old adult never learnt swimming before. I started taking the adult learn to swim class ... A: I honestly would work on getting your face in the water and getting comfortable working on a basic ... | |
| Teaching children to swim...what is the right schedule | 5/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a 15 month old and a three year old that I would like to get into formal lessons. I am just ... A: Personally I prefer the 2 days a week. Then you can work with your children in between times. It's ... | |
| swimming | 3/2/2007 |
| Q: My husband has never swam. He is currently trying to learn. He is in good phyical condition. He ... A: Unfortunately yes swimming comes easier to some people then others. I would have your husband ... | |
| treading water and rotary breathing | 12/10/2006 |
| Q: At 48 years of age I live only to learn to swim. I cant seem to turn my head, open my mouth and take ... A: This may sound very basic but how often do you practice with a kickboard while swimming? It takes a ... | |
| Treading water | 10/30/2006 |
| Q: Yes! Please give me any information and tips you have on treading with just your feet. I don't think ... A: The easiest way to tread water with just your feet is to practice the kick intermittently using your ... | |
| Treading water | 10/28/2006 |
| Q: I began with learning the dead man's float, then learning to stand in shallow water to prevent ... A: I will be totally honest with you I have never treaded with just my hands. I can tread with just my ... | |
| swallowing water | 10/17/2006 |
| Q: I am an adult who just learned how to swim last year. I would like to be proficient at swimming so ... A: To be honest I would have to ask which strokes you are tring to use? If you are using the Crawl or ... | |
| Teaching Toddlers to Swim | 8/23/2006 |
| Q: I have a 25 month old daughter who is very confident swimming with her armbands on, and can jump in ... A: First of all great job with your daughter. I too have a son who is of toddler age (22 months). I ... | |
| toddler swimming | 8/9/2006 |
| Q: He did actually use the kick board a few times last weekend, it's just hard for him to stay in it, ... A: I would reccomend swim lessons for your son not only as an allexperts volunteer but also as a mom. I ... | |
| toddler swimming | 8/4/2006 |
| Q: I have a son who just turned 3 and this summer has gone from in the pool with his floaty to life ... A: Good job mom! Give yourself a pat on the back! Your son is doing wonderfully! The fact that he is ... | |
| holding breath | 7/25/2006 |
| Q: .. im trying to hold my breath underwater.. but i cant hold it for a long period of time.can you ... A: I have found that when I teach lessons, as well as when I am trying to hold my breath as well, that ... | |
| swimming | 7/18/2006 |
| Q: I have been trying to teach my 4 year old daughter to swim. She is doing great - with one exception ... A: You have a very typical 4 year old swimmer. I want to reassure you that you are probably doing ... | |
| Underwater flip | 7/4/2006 |
| Q: I was swimming the other day, (I have not gone swimming since last summer) and I decided to do a ... A: If you have not experienced this in previous summers and you are blowing air out your nose you may ... | |
| teaching children | 7/1/2006 |
| Q: I have recently started giving private swimming lessons to two children ages a boy age 6 & girl ... A: Teaching private lessons can be as rewarding as it it frustratating. It is very difficult to teach ... | |
| First time swimming | 6/10/2006 |
| Q: I’m Sonia 27 years old. I need your help could you tell me please some important thing about first ... A: You will really enjoy the benefits of the sport in the future. The first thing about learning how ... | |
| problem with head when breathing | 6/9/2006 |
| Q: i've been taking lessons for what seems like forever. i've been a slow learner, but considering it ... A: I have been asked this question many times throughout my time teaching swimming. It's a great ... | |
Swimming & Diving
Answers by Expert:
Kate Fontaine
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer pretty much any question involving learning to swim and the techniques involving swimming. I am also a mom who is teaching my almost 5 yr old son and 2 year old daughter to swim. My background is with the American Red Cross and their programs and affiliations.
Experience
I ran Camp Hochelaga's waterfront for 3 years, I taught swim lessons for 8 years, I have been a lifeguard instructor, I was a lifeguard.
Education/Credentials
BA in Education as well as a BA in Psychology from Johnson State College Class of 2001
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.