What is included with the swim lessons?

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Each swim lesson is conducted in a heated pool.  All training equipment needed during the lessons are provided by me.  I give out special branded certificates to celebrate key milestones like learning to float, dive, breathing to the side, etc.   My younger students also get a sticker at the end of each lesson.

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What is not included with the lessons that you suggest I purchase ahead of time and bring with me?

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• Swimsuit

  
  

• Sunscreen.  Applied 20-30 minutes prior to class. Even some of the most expensive sunscreens need time to absorb into your skin so it doesn't wash off or sting your eyes.

  
  

• Towels. Preferably two.  One for when you get out during lessons and one for when you change into dry clothes or to use for the drive home to keep your car dry.  

  
  

• Optional:  Swim goggles, swim wax ear plugs, and for little ones 2-4 years old I may recommend a particular back float that keeps kids horizontal in the water vs. water wings that keep kids vertical.  Please throw away water wings! It's very difficult to break a kids habit of thinking they can swim vertically (standing position) through the water. 

  
  

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When is the best time to start swim lessons?

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When you start swim lessons all depends on time and resources.  The fastest rate of progression is between 3-5 years old.  Phase 1 (supported submerge, float and glide) could take about six to ten lessons for a two year old and only three lessons for a three year old if they are not fearful of the water. The speed of learning also depends on the child's personality, skills and abilities ... it also depends on how often they get to practice swimming outside of swim lessons.

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Research shows anyone taking lessons for the first time over the age of five progress slower because they have already formed their ideas about the water and swimming.  They have to unlearn and then learn.

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With that being said, I have had adult clients who were afraid to walk in shallow water at the beginning of their lesson and by the end of their first 60 minute lesson they are able to swim across the width of my pool on their stomach's and backs. 

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How many times a week should I take lessons?

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Initially, the more back-to-back lessons you can take the better.  The best way to get yourself or your little one swimming is seven to ten lessons over two weeks.

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After the seven to ten lessons, its best to keep lessons going for at least 2-3 times a week for a swimmer who isn't swim safe yet.  For swimmers who are swim safe, you can drop to once or twice a week.

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Ideally, take an immersion, then spend a few weeks honing skills learned 2-3 times a week and then do a maintenance class if you don’t have access to practice outside of class. Repeat this process until you or your child is swim safe.  It could take one to three immersions to become swim safe depending on the students personality, skills and abilities. 

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What is swimming vs. swimming with intention vs. swim safe?

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Swimming:

Swimming is moving from point A to point B without momentum helping. If you push off the wall and use that momentum to propel forward, you are not officially "swimmers" yet.

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Swimming with intention:

Swimming with intention is when the swimmers know how to turn in the water, hold their breath, and propel properly.  They can swim away from the wall, turn around and swim back and grab the edge. 

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Swim Safe:

Being able to swim across the pool and pop up for breaths without struggling. If the swimmer fell into the deep end they could catch a mouthful of water, recover and turn and swim back to the wall.

** If you can swim its important to keep practicing.  Like all other sports, swimming takes endurance and you can get out of shape. 

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Goggles or no goggles?

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Goggles are a debatable topic.  If goggles encourage the client to learn how to put their face in the water and hold their breath … I will leverage that.  If you've forgotten your goggles, I usually have a few backups you can borrow during class.  I try to get every student comfortable opening their eyes underwater without googles at some point because if you were to fall into a body of water unexpectedly, it’s important to know how to open your eyes in order to navigate yourself to safety. 

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Do you have a place to change clothes or use the restroom?

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I have an outdoor privacy changing tent provided.  It is 47.2" long and wide and 74.8" high. A large percentage of my clients use this tent and are happy they can change into dry clothes before getting into the car.  

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Unfortunately the closest restroom from my pool requires a person to walk through my main living room and into the hallway.  Because of this, I ask for everyone to prepare accordingly and only use my restroom for emergency cases. 90% of my clients have never had to use my restroom and that’s much appreciated.

Makeup/rescheduled classes

All classes rescheduled due to weather, instructor illness or student illness with a doctors note do not have a fee. 

Missed lessons without any notice prior to class (no shows) are not refundable and cannot be rescheduled.

It is up to the client to reach out to reschedule lessons. I keep open 1-2 Monday’s per month to help reschedule lessons and also have September 15-October set aside at the end of the season. (Heated pool) 

 Each client has an unlimited amount of reschedules on lessons where they give me enough notice to where I can backfill their class with someone on a waitlist. 

Classes cancelled with prior notice that aren’t backfilled will have a $15 rescheduling fee per 30 minutes of time scheduled.

Refundable lessons 

Lessons are non-refundable unless 1. Relocation due to work with written proof 2. Unexpected health issue like a broken bone 3. There is someone on the waitlist who wants to take over your time slots. 

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What is your weather guideline?

Rain:

 Lessons can still be conducted in light rain for all ages as long as the pool water is at least 87 degrees and its warm outside.  When we are getting a heavy downpour without thunder and lightening, it’s then at the discretion of the client and coach to both want to swim.  Sometimes swimming in a heavy rain is fun and good for the soul! But if we disagree, I’m happy to reschedule. 

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Thunder/Lightening:

It must not thunder or lightening for at least 30 minutes before attempting to conduct a lesson. If it thunders or lightening during a lesson we must get out immediately.  We will either reschedule the session or add extra time that didn't get used in a future lesson. 

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