Children

Lessons
I personally teach every one of my students and am in the pool with your child every step of the way.

“I believe that a big part of what makes John so special and amazing with children is the fact that he has not forgotten what it is like to be a child. He is very much aware of their fears and never misses the opportunity to encourage. Happy Swimming!”
Stephanie E.

Best Age to Begin: I believe, through experience, that children are best suited for swim lessons at age four. I do not offer swim lessons for toddlers (ages 1-3). For more information, refer to the June 2010 issue of “Pediatrics”: http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/weeklyquestion/a/swim_lessons.htm

How to prepare your child: Buoyancy is the key to swimming. By holding in our air, we become more buoyant; we then float because we’re buoyant; and finally, when we move our float (through proper technique) we begin to swim. Swimming is essentially moving our float. Therefore, your child first needs to master the skill of holding their breath. If your child can hold their breath for 10 seconds out of the water – once lessons begin, they should be able to replicate that underwater. Teach your child what it means to hold their breath, have them practice holding their breath for ten seconds out of water, and then I will help them transfer that skill into the water. If they can hold their breath underwater for 10 seconds, they will learn to swim in four lessons or less – I guarantee it.

Further Preparation

Until your child is able to hold their breath for 10 seconds, learning to float is virtually impossible (I do not advocate or use floatation devices). Some parents, due to time constraints, prefer that I teach their children how to hold their breath. It is however, something you can teach your child, have fun doing together, and quickly master. Here is a link to a full explanation of how to teach this to your child.

Provided your child is able to demonstrate holding their breath underwater for 10 seconds at the beginning of their first class, I guarantee they will be swimming by their fourth class or you will receive a full refund. *

What parents may expect after four 25-minute lessons:

 

Provided your child already holds their breath underwater with no problem or fussing, you may expect him or her to learn: how to retrieve underwater objects, front float, assisted or unassisted back float, front kick, either basic front crawl (freestyle) or breaststroke technique with their arms, and after jumping into deep water – turn around and get back to the side of the pool.

If your child has yet to demonstrate the ability to hold their breath underwater or is initially fearful, reasonable expectations include: the ability to hold their breath underwater, how to overcome the sensation of water bothering their nose, the retrieval of underwater objects, unassisted front float, front kick; and possibly, assisted back float, front kick, and some arm movement. Naturally, if your child is scared of the water or has a history of traumatic experiences in water, levels of progress will vary from child to child.

I have been teaching children how to swim for over 40 years; and, I am in the pool with your child every step of the way. Your child’s lessons are adapted and paced to fit their learning style and needs. The lessons are designed to nurture, assuage fears, peak interest, build confidence, and develop proper swim techniques.

Patience, encouragement, effective demonstrations and correct techniques are the key-marks of my teaching style. Of course, we have to have some fun too. Personally, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing your child stand taller, exhibit more confidence, and leave class with a skip in their step or a smile on their face.

Classes and Rates:

Beginners/Advanced Beginners: A package of four 25-minute classes is $250.

For children of all levels who love the water and want more class time to improve their techniques, a package of four 50-minute classes is $500.

 

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* Money Back Guarantee: If a child is unable to swim after 4 classes, I will refund the full amount of my fee provided the student successfully demonstrates the ability to hold their breath underwater for 10 seconds in the 1st class and completes their four lessons.

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