SWIMMING LESSONS
Spring 2011
Welcome to our spring swim lesson session, which runs for eight weeks from Monday, April 2nd, through Friday, May 25th. Lessons are one day per week for the eight weeks. Our primary goal is to provide quality instruction and a positive learning environment as your child learns to swim or improves swimming skills. Learning to swim is a very memorable experience. We want it to be a fun and exciting experience for you and your child.
Because of our extensive experience teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities, we have developed a strong belief in “class-size reduction”. The importance of the teacher/student ratio cannot be demonstrated better than in the pool. “Group” lessons are just not effective, especially when teaching young or beginner swimmers. Swim lesson programs that offer “group lessons” may have attractive rates, but the actual “swimming time” each student receives is minimal. Therefore, our program has been designed to maximize your child’s one-on-one quality time with his/her instructor. Our lessons are typically 25 to 30 minutes in length and are private (1 student) or semi-private (2 students) only. All of our instructors have been trained and have prior experience teaching swim lessons.
The majority of our students (including adults) are placed into one of the following five skill groups:
1) Non-swimmers are typically fearful of the water, but are becoming adjusted to the aquatic environment. They are learning basic swimming and safety skills through fun and enjoyment in the water.
2) Beginners are not fearful of the water but can make little or no forward progress. These students typically want to “run” in the water or swim with their head up (dog paddle). They are learning to kick efficiently, and put their faces in the water to maintain a horizontal body position.
3) Advanced Beginners are not afraid to put their faces in the water, can float, and are learning basic swimming skills (swimming on front and back, rhythmic breathing, diving for submerged objects).
4) Intermediate swimmers are learning overarm stroking, side breathing, and various kick types. We also refer to this level as “Pre Swim Team”.
5) Swim Team level swimmers are learning or refining skills that are required to perform the four competitive swim strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly).
When enrolling your child (or yourself) in the swim lesson program, please be aware of the following payment policies:
- The attached registration form with the session fee must be turned in to the front desk. You may pay with a check (made out to “Rollingwood”) or the Lesson Director can charge your club account once the lessons have begun (indicate on bottom line of registration form). Non-members enrolling in the program must attach a check to the form or you will not be scheduled. Lessons will then be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please do not call the club to try and reserve a time slot, as there are no telephone sign-ups. Your completed registration form must be in-hand to begin the scheduling process.
- You will be contacted before the start of the session to confirm your lesson time and instructor. Our indoor pool is very busy, so lesson times are limited. Early registration and flexibility on your part should enable us to find a time slot for your child. If you pay with a check, we will hold your check until the start of the session. If we are unable to schedule your child for some reason, the check will be returned. After the start of the session, any outstanding balances for members will be charged to your club account.
- Due to the structure and popularity of our program, there will be no deductions for planned absences, no refunds, and no make-ups or re-scheduling for missed lessons. We are a business similar to gymnastics or dance programs in which you pay for a “time slot”. If you do not show up or cancel a lesson it is unfair to those on our waiting list, and it is unfair to the instructor who is still “on-duty” during that time slot. If your instructor cancels the lesson, he/she will schedule a make-up lesson. Please keep in mind that instructors can become ill and they are encouraged to cancel the lesson rather than expose your children.
Cost for the 8-week April/May session:
(one lesson per week)
Private lessons:
$208 (member) $248 (non-member)
Semi private lessons:
$120 (member) $144 (non-member)
To enroll in the lesson program, please fill out, detach, and return the “Swim Lesson Registration” form with your check attached or indication that you would like the lesson director to charge the lessons to your account. You may use the same form for more than one child. Please indicate your preference for private or semi-private lessons and desired time slot on the registration form. If you would like your child to share the lesson with a friend (or sibling) who has similar swimming ability please indicate so. Please be aware that both children must be signed-up with proper payment before class assignments are made. If you sign-up for semi-private lessons and we are unable to find a suitable partner for your child, you will be asked to pay the private lesson rate until a partner is found.
As with any type of athletic program, success is not guaranteed. Typically, the younger the child, the longer the learning process. This process includes developing trust for his/her instructor and becoming comfortable in the water, which may take longer than you realize. For example, please do not expect your three-year-old to be swimming after a single session. It is possible, but it is not the norm. After the session begins, please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child’s swim lessons with the instructor and/or the lesson director. We are striving to offer a quality program, but need your feedback.