Originally Posted by eema
If you can arrange it, I highly recommend a few private lessons in a warm pool. It worked wonders for my kids, who are now both excellent swimmers.

I would totally agree with this. Something just this spring clicked with my 10 year old who has been super slow to do everything in the water, and warm pool lessons private or with a very small group definitely helped (we've done both). Now I would feel comfortable sending him to a pool or beach party.