Swimming in the sea: Why are kids afraid and how can we help them?

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“My child knows how to swim. Loves swimming in the pool. But when it comes to swimming in the sea, it’s a different story,“ a mom of a five-year-old told me recently. “What should I do? How can I help my nine-year-old daughter relax and enjoy swimming in the sea? Is it even safe for preschoolers to swim in the open water?”

These are the questions, doubts, and worries I hear from parents every summer before heading off to the seaside.

Pool vs. sea - two different worlds

That’s why swimming in the sea feels completely different — more unpredictable, more alive. A friend once asked me, “Do your kids swim in the sea the same way they swim in the pool?”

Well, my kids have been around water since they were babies. From four months old, they were already playing and swimming in the pool. At the same time, I gradually introduced them to open waters - the sea, lakes, rivers. Why? Because swimming in a pool is nothing like swimming in the sea.

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For kids who only know the pool, swimming in the sea feels like meeting a complete stranger.

And that’s expected. Children fear the unknown - and what’s more “unknown” than a vast, ever-changing body of water? The pool is the same every day, calm and predictable. The sea changes by the minute. Swimming in the sea is more challenging - not just for beginners, but even for strong swimmers. It requires more physical and mental energy.

On the other hand, kids who grow up near rivers, lakes, or the sea? Open water feels natural to them - and pure joy. But regardless of where they swim, safety is always the number one priority.

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Even strong swimmers need time to adjust - swimming in the sea

No matter how confident your child is in the pool, swimming in the sea is a whole different story. I’ve seen this first-hand with my own kids. Even though they’re familiar with open water, every time they step into the sea, they need a moment to adjust before they can relax and enjoy.

• My “little shark,” at six, often asks to swim out into deeper water - but only to the spot where I can still stand. And, of course, he wants me right next to him the entire time. He needs that sense of security, even though he knows how to swim.

• My “little fish,” at five, who’s also been swimming since babyhood, refuses to go into the darker parts of the sea. She only wants to swim where the water is clear, sandy, and bright - no seaweed. And honestly? That’s completely normal. Even adults can feel uneasy about “the big blue” and what might be hiding beneath. Forcing kids into open water before they’re ready can backfire. Let them take their time until the sea feels like home.

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Why are kids afraid of swimming in the sea?

Even children who love pools can feel nervous about swimming in the sea, and here’s why:

• The vastness. Unlike pools, the sea has no “frame.” That endless horizon can feel overwhelming - like the water might carry them away. No pool walls to grab onto.

• Depth and darkness. Pools are clear; you can see the bottom, even in the deep end. The sea? Often dark and mysterious. Not knowing what’s below can make anyone uneasy.

• Salt. Saltwater stings - eyes, skin, even lips. It can be itchy, uncomfortable, and a big reason why some kids resist.

• Waves. A child used to calm pool water can panic the first time waves crash into them. Swallowing salty water, goggles filling up, a random fish darting by - panic sets in quickly.

• Wind. On open water, wind can create noise and pressure in the ears, adding to the confusion and discomfort.

• Marine life. Seaweed tangling around legs, tiny fish, jellyfish stings, crabs, sea urchins - or even a diving bird appearing out of nowhere - all of it can be unsettling.

• Currents. Kids who only know pools don’t understand how strong currents can be. A current can carry away not just a float or ball - but a swimmer, too, if they panic.

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“My child won’t go near the waves!”

Your child loves water. Plays in the pool. Doesn’t mind splashing or getting water poured over their head. But at the sea? The sound of crashing waves makes them freeze at the shore.

Is this a problem? Not at all.

It’s simply a new experience you’ll get through together - whether your baby is six months old or your child is six years old. Sometimes, a kid who loved the waves last summer might refuse to dip even a toe this year. That’s okay - it changes year to year.

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I’ve been through the “I don’t want to go in the sea” phase with my own children - despite them being water babies from four months old.

• My little fish, who adores the pool, froze the first time waves splashed over her feet. She didn’t like the noise or the feel of water rushing around her toes. No trick worked - she just refused. But when her older brother ran laughing into the waves, she instinctively followed him. Within minutes, she was in the water - without even realizing it.

Kids love to imitate, to prove themselves. Seeing someone they trust enjoying the waves makes them want to try, too.

So, how do you help them overcome that first fear of the sea? Introduce it slowly. Turn it into a game. Let them play alongside friends they know and trust. That’s how we got past our “wave fear” phase — not to outswim the waves, but to keep up with big brother.

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Take it slow - let them fall in love with the sea

When introducing kids to waves, go step by step. If that first encounter is rushed, the fear can turn into lasting trauma. But when approached patiently, swimming in the sea becomes magical.

Take it slow, and help them fall in love with swimming in the sea step by step.

Life is better when you are swimming!