What should instructors do if a swimmer is hesitant to enter the water?

Supportive encouragement is vital when dealing with a swimmer who is hesitant to enter the water. It is essential for instructors to create a safe and nurturing environment that helps build confidence. By providing reassurance and understanding, instructors can help ease the swimmer's anxiety and encourage them to gradually acclimate to the water.

This approach respects the individual’s feelings and promotes a positive experience, facilitating a smoother introduction to swimming. It allows the instructor to tailor their support and methods to meet the needs of the swimmer, ensuring that they can progress at a comfortable pace.

In contrast, forcing a swimmer to enter the water can create trauma, leading to a deeper fear of swimming and potentially impacting their long-term engagement. Ignoring a swimmer's fear overlooks the necessity of addressing emotional readiness, while dismissing them from the class entirely can remove the opportunity for growth and learning. Thus, encouraging and supporting hesitant swimmers is the most constructive and effective strategy for helping them overcome their fears.