For children, stepping up to the edge of a swimming pool can mean stepping far beyond their comfort zone. Whether it's diving in for the first time, racing against a clock, or facing the nerves of a gala, swimming offers a space where young people can build confidence in ways that go well beyond the water.
Healthy competition plays a vital role in a child’s development. It teaches that progress isn’t always about winning. It’s about learning to show up, try again, and improve. Through sport, children begin to understand what it means to manage disappointment, work towards a goal, and support others while striving for their personal best.
Swimming, in particular, encourages independence. It’s a sport where focus, repetition, and resilience matter. Children learn to listen to their bodies, regulate their effort, and reflect on what they can do differently next time. That kind of reflection isn’t just valuable for performance, it builds character.
Living in Abu Dhabi, children are never far from the water. Whether at the beach, in a pool, or by the mangroves, swimming isn’t just a skill. It’s a way of life. Supporting children to feel confident and capable in the water also supports their wellbeing and safety in our local environment.
Opportunities to compete in a low-stakes, encouraging environment can have a big impact. When children experience small moments of success, beating their own time, completing a new stroke, or simply finishing a race, they start to believe in their own ability to grow. That belief is one of the most powerful gifts a school can give.
At NAS Abu Dhabi, swimming is part of every child’s curriculum. From as early as age seven, students can choose to join our swim squad, with training tailored to individual needs. Monthly galas, friendly fixtures, and optional weekend competitions offer a variety of ways to get involved. We also work closely with our coaching partners at 4th Lane Swim Academy to make sure every swimmer has the right balance of challenge and support.
In our first year of entering school competitions, our swimmers were promoted to Division 1 after an unbeaten season. But the real win has been watching students grow in confidence, resilience, and self-belief.
This blog was written with insights from Flore Vermoesen, our PE teacher and a keen swimmer herself, who leads the NAS Abu Dhabi swim squad.
Because when children feel proud of what they can do, whether it’s in the pool, the classroom, or beyond, they carry that feeling with them for life.
For more information about our programmes, reach out to us at admission@nasabudhabi.ae or call +971 2 699 3333.
