A new business aimed at teaching children not only how to swim, but also vital lifesaving skills, is making a big splash in St Albans.

Puddle Ducks West Hertfordshire, which operates at the Otium Health and Leisure club in St Albans, based in the Thistle Noke in Chiswell Green, takes babies from newborn, and helps them develop their swimming through to school age.

Children learn progressive personal lifesaving skills including turning to the side, holding buoyancy aids, remaining poolside until allowed to enter and resurfacing after jumping. Once they children reach the age of two, they learn more life-saving skills such as swimming on the back and from age three, the focus is on understanding what lifesaving is, and how to behave around water.

All of their efforts culminate in Pyjama Parties, held once per term, where parents, babies and children come to classes in their pyjamas, learn some new skills and feel what it is like to swim with clothes on. Every October Puddle Ducks classes nationwide hold a fundraising party for The Children’s Trust, which provides a haven for disabled children and their families.

Franchise owner Ravneet Bermi said: “At Puddle Ducks, we are not only passionate about making swimming fun – we know that we can potentially save lives too. To be part of such a fantastic national event for The Children’s Trust has been wonderful.

“We had so much fun in the pool in our pyjama tea parties, so thanks to everyone for their enthusiastic support and thank you to the Otium Health and Leisure club for letting us host these brilliant events.”

For further information about joining Puddle Ducks classes please contact 01727 223 085 or email westherts@puddleducks.com