Why group lessons?
We believe that small group lessons are a more effective and fun way for most children to learn to swim. Over the long term, private lessons are not as enjoyable for a child. Private lessons make it more challenging for an instructor to hold the attention and focus of the child on the material of the class, which increases the possibility that the child may tire of the activity and possibly lose interest altogether.
The semi-private format is beneficial to our students because of the social interaction it allows, as well as the opportunities it provides for our students to learn from watching each other – there is a lot to be said for the power of peer demonstration.
Why once a week classes?
We recommend classes once a week because it keeps students engaged while promoting a high level of retention and progress week to week. Once a week lessons is also a reasonable schedule for busy families to keep. Repetition over time builds the muscle memory to become a proficient and confident swimmer. Therefore, consistent attendance over time is the key ingredient in your child’s success in the pool. Swimming much more than that at a learn-to-swim level can cause burn-out. There needs to be enough time between classes for students to build anticipation for each lesson. In a weekly format, most have their suits and googles on before they even get to our parking lot!
Why year-round swimming?
Swimming year-round is the best way to protect your child from having a water-related emergency. Year-round swimmers retain a healthy respect for the water and build skills way beyond those of seasonal swimmers.
Like any other sport repetition over time is what develops muscular “memory” and endurance. Failure to maintain a year-round commitment to this muscular stimulus will lead any athlete to a decline in performance. This is why crash-course swim lessons (i.e. two-week daily swim sessions) do not create optimal results and why children that only take summer lessons seem to have to relearn the same skills each year.
Our on-going enrollment process allows families to start, stop and move classes whenever they need to. It also means that our students will keep the same teacher for a longer period of time. Even when students graduate or age up to the next level, we can usually keep them at the same lesson time with the same teacher. This is the best way for children to keep building the trust and friendship they have with their teacher and it is also the easiest way for busy families to keep their timeslots.
What are themes?
We use weekly themes in our Teddy, Panda and Koala Bear classes (ages 2-6) because they create a deeper level of fun and focus in each lesson. The more we can motivate these young students to use their imaginations as they learn swim skills, the easier it is to help them overcome any swimming related fears they may have. You can’t be scared if you are having fun! Each week we have themed decorations and prizes for students to enjoy!
Do you offer make up classes?
Yes! We offer each student one make-up a month. Please use the website to request your make-up lesson AFTER the absence has taken place. You have 30 days from the missed class to schedule your make-up. If we cancel a class for reasons beyond our control, we will apply a credit to your account so you don’t have to worry about booking a make-up.
What is family swim?
We schedule at least 4 family swim times a month. We encourage all students and their families to attend these open play sessions. It is very important for students to be able to practice their skills outside of lessons and push themselves on their own terms – this is especially true for fearful and anxious students. It is also great for students to “show off” to their parents and siblings.
Family swims are free for all of our enrolled students and their immediate family members.
What is the withdrawal/cancellation policy?
We require a 30-day notice to withdraw from lessons. You can withdraw your student by signing into the Customer Portal under the My Account tab.
How quickly will my child learn how to swim?
Each swimmer is unique. Many different factors determine how quickly he or she will learn to swim, including his or her developmental stage, any previous experience in and around the water and the ability to adjust to a new environment. Please be patient and do not expect your child to make equal progress during each lesson. It is normal for a child’s learning to be a series of spikes and plateaus. Many small steps lead to great achievements and to lasting self-confidence. We believe that every child can ultimately learn to swim with proper instruction and continual support.
Please note that consistency over time is one of the keys to success in our program. We ask that you do your best to attend.
What if my child is not feeling well?
If your child has a cold, but is eating well and acting normal, you may bring him or her to class. The pool chemicals meet the highest health and safety standards, and the humidity in the air will be beneficial to all respiratory systems. Please do not bring a child who has a fever, has diarrhea, or shows signs of bacterial infection.
What if my child cries?
It is completely normal for a child to cry during his/her first swim lesson(s). Consider the child’s perspective—they are in a strange environment in the care of an unfamiliar instructor. That said, we train our teachers to try to understand the nature of a child’s fear. The instructor will work to gain the trust of the child, in part by acknowledging their fear and helping them to work through it. Often, a simple reassurance makes all the difference.
As a parent, the best thing you can do for your child is to keep bringing him/her to swim class. Continuing to do so sends the message to your child that you, as their primary caregiver, approve and trust in this new activity. This will go a long way towards helping him/her to better adjust and overcome any fear. Please consider that delaying or avoiding swim lessons may serve to reinforce your child’s fear and create a situation that is more difficult to overcome.
The next best thing is to praise them for their participation in class. We are going to tell them how brave they are, but we are certain that these compliments will have a greater impact coming from you!
At what age should my child begin lessons?
In accordance with guidelines set forth by both the United States Swim School Association and the America Academy of Pediatrics, we believe that children are ready to begin swim lessons at any time after they have reached six months of age. The earlier a child is enrolled into a learn-to-swim program, the better. We find that young children who begin swim classes before they reach one year of age, generally accept the water more readily than older children.
Fear of the water is acquired over time. The older a child is when first beginning a learn-to-swim program, the more challenging his or her fear will likely be to overcome.