More About: Sylvie Dumaine

Beginning in 1998, I performed nightly in Cirque du Soleil's premiere water show for 18 years. I have been a synchronized swimmer since the age of 7, and have competed and coached internationally. I graduated from the University of Montreal with a B.S. in Physical Education for children, where I taught water activities to children with special needs.

I am now the mother of 2 beautiful girls. My love for water has transitioned from the stage to teaching the ISR technique to infants and children.

I have been a Certified ISR Instructor for 11 years, teaching over 800 children. I am excited to expose youngsters to the ISR Self-Rescue technique, and I am committed to ISR's mission of "Not One More Child Drowns."

Swim Instructor Image
FAQs
Will my child fear the water because of lessons?
There is an important difference between being fearful and being apprehensive because you are not yet skilled in a new environment. ISR is not like traditional swim lessons; it is a drowning prevention program that teaches survival swimming. Sometimes as a parent, you make choices for your child’s safety, like sitting in a car seat, because you know they are important. The same can be said for ISR. Fun can be defined as when skill meets challenge. Once competent in their skills, many children cannot be dragged away from the pool. They are having entirely too much FUN.
Why do you have the children swim in clothes?
Because 86% of children who fall in the water do so fully clothed, we want our students to have experience with such a situation. If a child has experienced the sensations of being in the water in clothing prior to an emergency situation, he/she is less likely to experience panic and be able to focus on the task at hand. If you have ever jumped in the water with clothes on, then you know that there is a significant difference in weight and feel with clothes as opposed to a bathing suit.
Why don’t parents participate in the water during the lessons?
We do not want the baby to initially associate the water with the love, attention, and affection of the parent while in the water. Also, it takes incredible concentration and objectivity to teach the baby how to respond to an aquatic emergency and our experience shows that parents often find it too difficult to be objective to be effective teachers with their own children in the water. We gladly invite parents to join us in the pool once their child has independent skills to practice at home.
How can you teach babies and young children to swim?
ISR instructors teach infants to swim by honoring each child's individual strengths and experiences. They understand the fundamentals of the behavioral sciences, child development and of sensori-motor learning as it relates to the acquisition of aquatic survival skills; they use this education to guide each child through the sequence of learning to swim and float.

Get in Touch

Contact us to learn more about our offerings.

Sign Up