FAQ
We want to set your child/ren up for success with the proper swim wear. We recommend your child wear a one piece swimsuit, cap, and goggles. Swimsuits should be snug fitting and quick drying. Many fashion suits for girls and baggy shorts for boys retain water and actually feel heavy in the water, making it harder to learn. You will also need to bring a towel so that your child can dry off immediately after swim class.
SwimAmerica is a 10-step program, station to station progression method based on swimming technique, stroke mechanics, and continued skill improvement, that allows your child to progress at their own rate. When children pass the advancement goals for a particular station, they are immediately promoted to the next. SwimAmerica students are directed towards specific goals in each station and immediately rewarded for successful completion of goals through our unique “Award of Achievement Certificate System”.
There are many contributing factors when it comes to determining how long it will take a child to learn to swim. Some of these factors are: your child’s age, pool experience, comfort level in the water, listening skills, enthusiasm and level of fitness. But ultimately everyone learns at a different rate and each child will progress through the program at their own speed.
We do not assign students to coaches, instead students are assigned to a Station based on their skill level. The goal is for each student to progress from Station to Station at his/her own rate of accomplishment. The student moves from Station to Station, the instructor generally does not. In addition coaches will change Stations usually every month.
The Site Supervisor will select the coaches to ensure the child is paired with an instructor who can best teach that station. This will give everyone the best opportunity to advance. However, if you would like your child to work with a specific instructor/coach private lessons are available.
Since our curriculum is not based on sessions you can sign your child up at any time. Each child is taught the skills that they need based on their ability level regardless of when they start lessons. You can sign up at the beginning, middle, or end of the month. Our fees will be prorated as necessary.
During the first week of lessons, each NEW SwimAmerica participant will receive a waterproof Red, White and Blue SwimAmerica Certificate. The certificates have the station numbers printed on the front with the advancement goals for each station printed on the back. These certificates are the perfect tool for tracking your child’s progress.
As soon as they have been promoted to the next station, your child will be asked to step out of the water and ring the cow bell. While the child rings the bell coaches and students will clap and cheer for your child's new accomplishment. Immediately after they ring the cow bell, your child will start to learn their new station.
When children are promoted, they earn a gold SwimAmerica sticker to place on the station they passed. Please help your child take pride in their accomplishments by displaying their certificate at home. As you will notice, we make a big deal out of each student’s advancement during class, and we recommend you maintain these life-long certificates for your child(ren).
Please stop by the office after class to pick up your child's advancement sticker for their certificate.
Our SwimAmerica Site Supervisors have numerous years of competitive swimming, teaching and coaching experience. All of our coaches are credentialed “SwimAmerica” Coaches and teach students how to swim by the most effective method known. They teach politely, enthusiactically, with humor and enjoyment. We pride ourselves on providing a safe teaching and learning environment for all children.
At Fleet First we favor group swim lessons for children who are ready to learn in a small group setting. Small groups of three children or less provide instruction, practice and the opportunity to watch other children perform the skill. We do offer private or semi-private lessons for those that may be interested in a more one on one setting where the child receives more face time with their instructor. That being said, we still favor small group lessons.
Our SwimAmerica Site Supervisors have numerous years of competitive swimming, teaching and coaching experience. All of our coaches are credentialed “SwimAmerica” Coaches and teach students how to swim by the most effective method known. They teach politely, enthusiactically, with humor and enjoyment. We pride ourselves on providing a safe teaching and learning environment for all children.