Water baby makes a splash

9:50pm Monday 1st December 2008

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Toddler Max Slater has taken to the pool like a duck to water, swimming unaided at the age of just two.

The water baby, who started swimming at seven weeks old, has followed in the footsteps of his older brother Ben swimming unaided at the age of two.

Max passed his ten-metre swimming badge last week and loves nothing more than splashing around in the water.

Ben, who is now five, stunned onlookers when he was 17 months old by swimming 20 metres without the help of floats.

Both boys learnt to swim at Swimability in Peacehaven and Max's mum Melanie takes them swimming once a week.

Mrs Slater, of Court Close, Patcham, Brighton, said: "I am a keen swimmer and believe it is good to develop the swimming reflex in them.

"Once I had done it with my first son I was keen to do it with my second. We go every week, once a week.

"He can swim unaided and that began during the summer. He has never warn armbands, just a floatation vest and we gradually started taking the floats out one by one."

Max first passed his five-metre badge and then ten metres and Ben as also progressed to a higher level.

Mrs Slater said: "He is quite happy to put his head under the water and with his little goggles on he looks very sweet.

"It's great when you take them abroad and you do not have to worry about them so much if they jump in the pool.

"All Max did on holiday was spend it in the pool. He loves the water and is not afraid of it at all.

The next step Max will take will be to develop his strokes and his stamina in the water.

For more information about the pool go to www.swimability.co.uk.