Finding the Right Swim Lessons for You or Your Child

by Kevin Smith Author

Because of the amount of personal interaction involved in swim lessons, it's important that you find an organization and instructors, with whom you feel comfortable. Not all swim lessons in Santa Monica are created equal. Getting the best in instruction isn't just about having a good curriculum; it's also about having a good relationship with the people involved in teaching the skills. How do you find a good instructor? Here are some suggestions:

Find out the Program's Philosophy

While a mission statement or core philosophy may not manifest itself in the actual undertaking, knowing what a swim school's philosophy is can help you decide whether it's one you want to work with. Some school's emphasize competition over skills teaching. Others specialize in early childhood training or restrict their classes to other age groups. When you know what the company says it wants to do, you can make a better decision about whether it aligns with what you need.

Check Certifications

Even if you find an organization you like, you still want to check its certifications and insurance policies. Once you're satisfied with these, you want to check the instructor's specific certification. An instructor's certification ensures that the person has met a minimum level of education in swimming and is able to teach the required skills.

Check Safety Protocols

Most pools will have lifeguards in addition to the swim instructors. This is an important part of the safety protocol for all swim lessons, but it's especially important in group settings. While swim instructors are engaged with one child, it's important to have another set of eyes, trained for water emergencies, looking on, just in case.

Observe a Class

The best way to know how to swim lessons in Santa Monica are taught is to visit some classes. You may not be able to do this unannounced because of safety concerns, but if you can schedule a couple of times to watch different instructors and see how they work with their students, you can get a good feel for the classroom atmosphere and if it will work for your needs or the needs of your child. While instructors and staff may tighten up when you first arrive, watching a full class will give you the time to see them when they relax and get into the flow of their teaching. Bring a pen and paper to write down any questions that may occur during the class so that you can ask them later.