While ear infections are common amongst infants and young children, for most they occur infrequently and the symptoms associated with the infection are generally mild in nature. However, for parents of chronic ear infection sufferers and children who are susceptible to recurring ear infections caused by exposure to water, swim lessons may be a source of some frustration. Before any decision to stop swimming lessons is made, parents should give adequate consideration to the type of ear infection the child is suffering, and to the differing symptoms, causes and treatments of the infection to ensure that the decision that is made, particularly in respect of swimming during the cooler months, is an informed one. Two types of recurrent ear infections occur predominantly in children, namely swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections. There are solutions to treat, prevent and ward off each of these ailments, and neither infection should be used to justify a decision to interrupt a child’s water safety and aquatic education....