Chinese swimming training camp sparks controversy over harsh swimming instruction methods.

Leaked footage from the camp shows a coach holding an 11-year-old boy's head underwater while the child attempts to swim with his hands tied behind his back.

The instructor yelled "faster, faster" as the boy kicked his legs in the water. This grueling swimming lesson was part of the curriculum at the Chuang Shi Mo Xun military-style training camp.

Screenshot of the controversial swimming instruction video : SCMP

According to the training camp director, many children are afraid to immerse themselves in water, and the child in the video seems "a little shy." The training aims to help the boy overcome this "psychological barrier" and learn to swim.

Other activities at the camp include daily morning runs, laundry lessons, and classes on showing gratitude to parents.

The director said, "Parents send their children to this camp to cultivate strong character, willpower, and good habits."

He added that the children's safety was ensured. "The pool water is 90 cm deep, only reaching waist level when standing up, preventing the risk of drowning or suffocation. Our pool is disinfected and filled with clean, traceable water."

All training sessions are live-streamed so parents can follow along. The director added that some parents specifically send their children to his training camp because the children are afraid of water.

The controversial video was filmed in the summer of 2023. The summer camp has been held annually since 2018, attracting 500-600 children each year to participate in training programs. The cost of the camp ranges from 2,000 to 7,000 yuan, depending on the length of stay.

However, Chinese psychotherapist Ma Li has warned that such methods can leave children psychologically traumatized. Ma stated, "If children lack the ability to cope with stress, this approach will not foster resilience but may instead backfire and cause negative effects."

Military-style training camps for children are very popular in China. They aim to instill discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness in children. Photo: GI

In China, similar military-style training schools for children are very popular. An advertisement for one such training camp reads: "Is your child addicted to mobile phones, easily distracted, unwilling to study, and disrespectful to elders? Come here, we will help your child become more independent and grateful."

Hoai Phuong (according to SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trai-huan-luyen-o-trung-quoc-gay-tranh-cai-vi-cach-day-boi-khac-nghiet-post301926.html