Learn to Swim FAQ

Q. What ages do you teach? What system do you use?

Sarasota Swim Academy offers group classes children years 4 and older through adult, small group, private and semi-private lessons for all ability levels.

We recommend children under 4 years of age join our BABY/ME classes.

We are partnered with SwimAmerica™ - the USA's leading Learn-to-Swim School -teaches with the most effective method known, using a progression developed by this nation's top swim coaches. Our goal is to teach your child to swim quickly, proficiently and to learn to love swimming for health, safety, fun and fitness. Students advance at their own pace from water adaptation at Station 1 to very advanced swimming skills at Station 10. (Stations 6-10 are  taught in a swim practice group, called STROKE TEAM)

All coaches are certified by SwimAmerica, a national program of the American Swimming Coaches Association. Coaches are also CPR and First Aid certified. SwimAmerica is the USA's leading Learn to Swim School.

Q. When should my child learn to swim?

As soon as your child is capable of independent motion, they are capable of getting into water and drowning.
Therefore, lessons should begin as soon after 6 months of age as possible, however infants as young as 10 weeks old may begin learning the feel comfortable in the water and even learn to hold their breath. Initially, they will not learn to swim per se. They will be learning: "ROLL OVER, FLOAT, YELL FOR HELP."
Young children, because of the weight of their head and body proportions, can't readily "learn to swim." What you want, is to keep them SAFE.
We do that by teaching them to surface when underwater, roll onto their backs, maintain themselves and breathe and YELL FOR HELP!
History shows that this response SAVES LIVES because it "buys time" for the caregiver to realize that the child can float and yell. Tragedies occur when the child can't perform that skill.
Once they have mastered ROLL OVER, FLOAT, YELL FOR HELP! Then we begin teaching "real swimming."

Q. What is a session?

A session consists of 8; 30-minute long classes.

Q. How many sessions will my child need?

This depends on your child's age and level of fitness. It may take 2 or more sessions of eight lessons each for preschoolers to learn the basic skills of floating, kicking, returning to the wall and rolling over on their back to breathe, float and rest. Older students that have mastered the first skills of breathing, floating and kicking will learn more rapidly. If your child has not been in the water since last summer, they may have regressed a little and will catch back up quickly.

Q. How many students are in each class?

Sarasota Swim Academy offers 4 to 1 ratio student to instructor beginning at ages 4 years and older.

Q. How long will it take for my child to learn how to swim?

It depends on what your definition of learning to swim is. Swimming is not holding your breath and swimming UNDER the water. Swimming is done ON TOP of the water. Some consider just making it to the side of the pool learning to swim. Learning to swim is an ongoing process. A child can be safer in the water long before that process is completed. Each child comes to swimming lessons with a different set of circumstances. A child who is comfortable in the water will certainly learn faster than a child who has had a negative experience in the water. Our goal is the end result, not how fast we get there.

Q. How qualified are your instructors?

Sarasota Swim Academy employs highly skilled and professional instructors. At Sarasota Swim Academy we call all our instructors coaches because they have all received American Swimming Coaches Association Level 1 Certification status. Many of our coaches not only teach swimming, but are sports coaches, school teachers and parents, as well. They possess the wonderful ability to teach a life-saving skill while making it fun, too! At Sarasota Swim Academy, swimmers have fun, parents see results, and coaches get to do what they love. Kids LOVE to learn at Sarasota Swim Academy!

Q. What about private classes?

Sarasota Swim Academy will refer all private class inquiries to our coaches. We do not refer students to any instructor outside of our program.

Q. What if it is raining?

Classes are still taught in light rain. If there is thunder or lightning in the area, or if the rain becomes too heavy to safely conduct class, the Instructor will conduct the Safety Day portion of the curriculum in a location outside of the pool and away from the elements. It is best to assume that classes are on as scheduled unless it is listed as canceled on our website or phone message, or you receive a call from the office or the coach stating otherwise.

If a storm becomes a safety issue and students have to  get out of the water, the class time will be used for safety education.

Q. Are there make-up classes?

Make-ups due to instructor absence, weather, or mechanical problems will be made up on another day/time during the session if space is available. Sarasota Swim Academy does not offer “make-up” classes, credits, or refunds for classes in session that have been missed for any reason than listed above, unless an exception is decided by the Director or Site Supervisor. In such a case, the Site Supervisor will reschedule the class. It is the parents responsibility to advise the Sarasota Swim Academy if the child will not be able to attend their designated timeslot by leaving a message on the Academy's phone voice mail.

Q. How do I sign up?

You can register for classes over the phone or email the Sarasota Swim Academy. Call our office at 941 928-9948 or email coachcindy@sarasotaswimacademy.org. Please confirm with Coach Cindy that space is available for your preferred days and time slot.
 
Q. What payment do you accept?

We accept checks, cash and money orders,(credit card payment coming soon). Bring payment as well as the registration form with you on the first day of class. You may pre-arrange payment, along with registration form with Coach.

Q. Can I leave a check at the front desk at the pool?

It’s probably not a good idea. Our coaches make it back to the office only once a week, if that. The check might be lost or get wet, and then you might lose your spot. To avoid this, please mail it or bring it with you the first day of class.
Sarasota Swim Academy

5123 Kestral Park Place, Sarasota FL 34231

 Q. What does my child have to wear and what should I bring and What should I do before class?

All children should be encouraged to make a bathroom stop before their class begins.

Children 3 years of age or under attending the public pool : 
     -It is mandatory for all children the age of 3 or under to wear a reusable swimming diaper, not little swimmers throw away diapers, if not yet bathroom trained.

Children over 3 years of age:

For girls: One piecebathing suits (keeps them focused and not always tugging on their suits)

For boys: Bathing suit/swim briefs  (with draw strings ok) or swim jammers (hug the legs),
no board shorts or cut-offs. (loose clothing billows and interrupts buoyancy)

Swimmers Goggles (not snorkel goggles) for all students ( keeps them focused and not always rubbing their eyes) .

A bathing/swimmers cap if hair is chin length or longer (keeps hair out of the eyes).

Towels and warm sweater/jacket for after

Q. Should I feed my child before class?

We recommend that you should not feed your child anything for at least one hour prior to the start of class (don't want the heart and energy working on digestion, when we need all energy on their muscles and lungs) If you do plan on feeding your child, make sure it is something light, such as anything included in the B.R.A.T. Diet, i.e. bananas, rice, apple sauce, or toast. Please stay away from any dairy or citrus products.