PARENTS who take their babies and toddlers to Beate Rothon's swimming classes in Launceston and Camelford can capture those special underwater moments with photographs and video footage.

Beate, a qualified swimming instructor, teaches babies from as young as six to eight weeks, at the Phoenix Leisure Centre, Launces­ton and Camelford Leisure Centre, as part of the Starfish programme, the Swimming Teachers Association's water safety and swimming programme for babies.

Beate explained: "The lessons and guidelines are designed for babies as young as six to eight weeks up to two years and have a structured teaching programme with six levels, each with a certificate and badge.

"This helps to make the lessons fun for both parents and toddlers and helps to teach the all important water safety skills which are needed in an area like North Cornwall, where water and the sea is a very important part of our life.

"The lessons are fun and are designed to be a happy part of the week to help the youngster to be confident in the water, but also to respect it at the same time.

"The Starfish Program­me ensures that all the safety guidelines are followed. It is focused on creating fun in the water while developing physical skills like balance, strength and co-ordination which are not only important to learn for swimming, but also other sports, and create confidence."

As well as teaching the babies to swim, Beate also takes underwater photographs and video footage of the children.

She said: "I first started taking underwater photographs when my daughter was a baby. My daughter and I treasure these special photos even now, many years later."

Like many industries, underwater photography has been revolutionised with the advance of technology.

Beate said: "Years ago taking an underwater picture meant a diver dressed in black with a mask and a huge camera with a powerful flash. In some cases this can be a little bit too much for the tiny one.

"So I decided to use the new technology with smaller cameras in a bright underwater housing and as little other equipment as possible to make it as pleasant as possible for you and your baby.

"Using natural light as much as possible sometimes means that I do not even need to use the flash at all. Images can be viewed at once so there is no need to take any unnecessary images.

"It is always important to work with the babies at the right time of day when he or she enjoys the water most.

"To get the best results your baby must be comfortable in the water and needs to be a confident diver."

She added: "Age really doesn't matter; the most important thing is that the baby enjoys swimming and loves being in the pool."

For more information contact Beate via email at [email protected]">[email protected] or visit her website http://www.bubblepixels.co.uk">www.bubblepixels.co.uk