Why Santa Rosa Swimming?
We are different and provide stress free learning. We are different because we try to tailor each lesson to each child and each family. We are not a 'one size fits all learning program'. For example, your 3-year old boy may be very motivated by pushing a car around on the ledges or stairs and we can take that play activity and design our lesson around that child. We also try to listen to each family and parent and discuss the way that your child learns the best. We have had lessons where the parents do not even come into the pool area, and we have had lessons where we have had the parent in the water with us, and we taught the parent how to teach the child how to swim. We try to listen and help each child learn to swim in the safest, easiest and most stress-free way.

How long until my child can learn to swim?
We get this question a lot. The time depends on your childs age, ability, and learning style. As a general rule, plan on 2 lessons a week for the whole summer for a first year swimmer to really teach your child how to swim.

What should I expect in the first lessons?
At your first lesson, your instructor will greet you and your child. Your instructor will take your child on a safety tour of the swimming pool and get acquainted with your child. It may take the instructor a few times to learn about your child's personality and swimming experience.

What is a Semi Private lesson vs. a Private?
A Private lesson is one child and one instructor. This is a great way to focus on the special needs of your child. In a Semi Private lesson, we would recommend finding another child in a similar age, and similar skill level. We believe it works best if they are no more than 2 years apart and both are over 4 years of age. The instructor can do some activities with both students, and some activities individually.

Will you throw my child in or dunk them?
There will never be a time that we will force a child to do something without warning them, talking about it, and doing it with them. It may be scary to go under the water the first time, but we start with many gentle steps to help them adjust as easily as possible to going under the water.

What if my child is fearful?
Swimming can be fearful for some children. My first recommendation is START EARLY! Get your baby in the water, in the bath, in the shower, as soon as possible and continue to make it a fun part of your life. However, some children are fearful. We start with a very gentle approach, and may possibly suggest you shorten your lessons to 15 minutes and go for more days of the week. We can discuss our philosophy on this in more depth if your child is afraid of the water.

What if the lessons are going to slow?
We have had a few clients mention that they want their child swimming in 2 weeks. They would like us to be 'more aggressive' with their child. If you feel this way, please feel free to talk to Kristin about it directly. However, our general philosophy is that we do not want to rush such an important skill, we will not rush a child, and if you're looking for a 'quick class' we are probably not the swim school for your family.

Cancellation Policy:
If a lesson is cancelled for any reason, a make up lesson will need to be scheduled within one week at an agreed upon time, and completed within three weeks. There are no refunds for unused sessions.

How early can I start my child in swim lessons?
Children can begin swim lessons as early as six months old. It is recommended that young children start out in the Parent and Tot lesson.

My child tells me he doesn't want to take swim lessons, should I listen to him, or put him in lessons anyway?
Put your child in lessons anyway. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five! Children who have had swimming lessons have a respect for water, they know they have limitations, they understand that work involved with swimming, and they know there are rules that go with swimming.

Payment information
Each group of lessons must be paid for before the lessons start. Credit/debit cards are preferred to save the reservation spot, otherwise check or cash is due 5 days before the lessons begin.