FAQ’s for SwimAmerica, a simple, and highly effective method for teaching children to swim well for safety fun and fitness!

SwimAmerica was designed by America's foremost experts on swimming, our professional swim coaches. This is a progressive station method designed to help children learn to swim quickly and efficiently. We teach all children to swim well with carefully designed goal driven and technique oriented skill stations that make learning fun and easy.

Why SwimAmerica?

You'll find two critically important features in SwimAmerica learn to swim. First, we're technique oriented. We teach your child to swim like the pros with expert technique from the very first day in the water. They'll start with learning how to blow bubbles and progress through every skill that an Olympic Swimmer will learn when they learned to swim. 
Second, we're goal-directed. Our coaches focus on critical skill achievement, in every class.  All learning is individualized so your child can progress at their pace and as quickly as they are able. There is no waiting in classes while those slower in development catch up.  That's crucial when your child's safety is at stake. 

SwimAmerica is run by professional swimming coaches. And your child's progress will prove it. You can ask us how long it will take for your child to reach any of our skill levels and they will tell you averages for that age group and gender.  Then go compare those answers other swim programs. Ask for details, for statistics on improvement and compare.

Click here for some of our parent reviews. 

When should my child learn to swim? 

Swim lessons should begin as early as possible. Initially, the child will not learn to swim per se. They will be learning to roll over, float on their backs to be able to breathe and other important safety skills. 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 until help arrives. History shows that this response does save lives, they "buy time" needed for a caregiver to realize that the child has gone missing. Many tragedies have occurred when a child could not perform the rollover and float skill.  

We start lessons at 24 months of age at Lake Highland.

How frequently should my child take swim lessons?

The most important role of a parent or guardian during swim lessons is to be positive and patient with your swimmer's success. There is no set pace for your child's swimming improvement. 

We recommend at least 8 private lessons back to back for our “new” non-swimmers. Some children might need 12 – 16 lessons to become pool safe. These initial lessons provide time for the child to understand the necessary skills, develop a relationship with the swim instructor, and feel safe in the pool.

We consider a child pool safe when they can swim independently, float on their back for an extended amount of time without panic or fear, and can successfully swim back to the side of the pool without assistance.

Should my child take group or private lessons?

With safety as our first priority, we require our “non-swimmers” and all 2 year olds to take private lessons until they are swimming independently and comfortably in the water.
Small ratio group lessons are offered for our independent swimmers who are interested in developing their stroke technique and overall endurance in the water.

How do I register for SwimAmerica swim lessons?

Click here to visit our lessons form. Pick the time of year you would like to attend. Check out our session dates and times. Register online using the form at the bottom of the page. After submitting your request, you will receive a confirmation email from swright@lhps.org confirming your selection or providing additional options that might fit your child’s needs more appropriately.

What about the cost of SwimAmerica swim lessons?

You will find SwimAmerica swim lessons are priced comparable to other swim lesson programs in your area. Swimming lessons are the most important children's activity or lesson purchase you will ever make for your child, because it will save their life. 
We offer four 30 minute private swim lessons for $125 and group lessons for $60.

When do I pay for my swim lessons?

All payments are due within 7 days of receiving your confirmation email from swright@lhps.org. You can submit your payment by mailing a check to Highlander Aquatics, Attn: Stacy Wright at 901 Highland Ave. Orlando, FL 32803.

If you register and pay for your child’s swim lessons but do not show up or call to cancel 72 hours in advance, you will only receive a 50% refund. 

If you register but do not pay for your swim lessons within 7 days, your lessons will be canceled and you will be unable to re-register online for lessons. You must come in to the pool to register and payment must be received in full.

What does my child need to start lessons?

Please provide a swimsuit, towel and goggles for your child. Goggles are not encouraged for our non-swimmers or children under the age of 3.

What can my child expect the first day of SwimAmerica swim lessons?

At SwimAmerica, you will find our swim coaches take a caring approach to teaching children to swim. Coaches are trained to help reluctant children to adapt to the learn to swim environment.
 
We will be evaluating all swimmers on the first day to be sure that each swimmer is placed into the appropriate skill level. Instructors may readjust participants to different groups, if possible, to ensure we provide the best experience for all participants. However, due to high enrollment in certain groups, moving swimmers down levels will occur only when the ability of that swimmer interferes with the teaching of the other swimmers in that class. A verbal progress report will be given at the end of each session from the instructor to the parents to show which skills were mastered and which skills still need some work.

Where do parents sit during swim lessons?

To maintain quality class management, parents are asked to sit and observe lessons from the designated seating areas located around the pool or inside the pool lobby. Please do not sit on the edge of the pool or follow your child/instructor around the pool facility. Lesson time is an important time for your child and their instructor to build a trusting relationship.

If you have questions about your child's progress, please approach the instructor before or after the class has finished. He/she will be happy to answer any of your questions. If an instructor is unable to answer your questions, you will be directed to someone on our staff who can assist you.

What do we do if there is lightning/thunder in the area during lessons?

In the event that we cannot use the pool due to a cancellation for inclement weather, makeup lessons are scheduled on the Friday of your swim week. If you are unable to attend that day, you will be allowed (1) additional day to make up your lesson the following week.  If you are unable to attend that day, the lesson will not be rescheduled or refunded. ONLY lessons cancelled by the instructor or previously arranged lessons will be made up.  If you choose to miss a lesson or do not contact your instructor 24 hours in advance, no makeup lesson or refund will be offered.
 
If swim lessons are taking place in the water and inclement weather occurs, only the time left in that lesson will be made up. Not an additional 30 minute lesson.

Group lessons can have up to 4 swimmers.  If your child is the only swimmer signed up for the group, we make every effort not to cancel the lesson due to lack of numbers at your requested time. In return, please note that if only one swimmer is in the group, make up lessons will only be offered if 2 or more lessons are canceled.

How will I know when my child can swim well? 

In SwimAmerica, we use a high standard to define "knowing how to swim". We are in business to save lives. To stay alive would mean a person can maintain themselves indefinitely in the water. To do so requires the ability to exhale used air and inhale new air. That's called aerobic swimming (just like being able to talk while you run!)