The answer is yes — not because cold water itself causes illness, but because exposure to cold water can place stress on the body. When the body becomes cold, it has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. This stress response can temporarily weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off viruses a child may already be exposed to at school or daycare.
Children are especially sensitive to cold water because they lose body heat faster than adults. Swimming in cold or uncomfortable water can lead to shivering, muscle tension, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. Over time, this added physical stress may increase a child’s susceptibility to getting sick, particularly during colder months when illnesses are already circulating.
This is why pool temperature matters so much — especially for young swimmers. At Making Waves Swim School, our pools are warm and temperature-controlled year-round to ensure children stay comfortable, relaxed, and focused during their lessons. Warm water supports healthy circulation, reduces physical stress, and allows children to fully engage in learning important swim and water-safety skills without their bodies working overtime to stay warm.
Swimming itself is a wonderful activity that supports overall health, but the environment plays an important role. A warm pool, combined with short, structured lessons and professional supervision, helps swimming remain a positive and healthy experience. Cold, uncomfortable conditions can turn an otherwise beneficial activity into one that places unnecessary strain on a child’s body.
Parents can also support their child’s health by changing them into dry clothes promptly after lessons, ensuring they are well-rested and hydrated, and keeping them home only if they are already ill. When these habits are paired with a warm swimming environment, children are better able to stay healthy and thrive.
At Making Waves Swim School, we believe children learn best — and stay healthiest — when they feel safe and comfortable in the water. That’s why we are committed to providing a warm, clean, and welcoming swimming environment all year long, so families can feel confident choosing swim lessons in every season.