Yesterday’s Athletic Business Magazine featured an awesome article about the L.A.P.S. swim lesson program in Charleston, S.C., which is administered by Swim Lessons University Instructor-Trainer and Learn-to-Swim Professional Shannon O’Brien. Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming, or LAPS, is a project of the locally based Logan Rutledge Foundation, which turned its focus toward teaching children swimming and water safety after the community experienced a series of drownings, notably of African-American children, in the past decade.
In the interview for the article, Shannon O’Brien talks about how she scoured over a variety of learn to swim programs before deciding on Swim Lesson University. O Brien says the she loves the that the program provides teachers with swim lesson plans, has distinct wordings and a means of tracking the progress of each student. When a student masters a component of swimming, such as a front kick, a star is punched on a waterproof bracelet and the skill is documented.
To see the entire article written by the David Quick of the Post & Courier (Charleston, SC) and published by Athletic Business, go to this link to see it in Athletic Business Magazine.
Swim Lessons University, in cooperation with the World Aquatic Babies and Children (WABC) Network, is now accepting applications for Instructor-Trainers. SLU has also just released its brand new Learn-to-Swim IT Manual, which contents includes: How to administer the SLU Course at your Facility, Course Administration and Application Process and Fees, Swim Lessons Level Descriptions, How to Conduct Skill Sessions, the Practicum and Mentoring program, Acknowledging Course Participation, Swim Instructor Certification Requirements, Evaluating Teaching Skills, Safety Recommendations, Class Sizes, and Supervision. The appendixes also include an Instructor Assessment/15 Point Analysis as well the Learn-to-Swim Professional License.
Swim Lessons University would like to offer a SPECIAL THANKS to the facilities and program coordinators who have been serving as the “living laboratories” while additional components were being developed.
Barbara Limbo, Rapid City Recreation – Rapid City, South Dakota
Shannon O’Brien, Charleston Country Schools / L.A.P.S. Program – Charleston, SC
Anne Marie Boehlert, City of Shelton Recreation – Shelton, Connecticut
Teri Gotro, El Dorado Hills Recreation– El Dorado Hills, California
In addition, the following aquatic programs are now proudly utilizing the Swim Lessons University curriculum and instructor training materials: City of Mt. Sterling, University of Mississippi, City of Sparks, Nevada, Helper City, Utah, City of Columbus, Nebraska, City of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, City of San Carlos, California, City of Manhattan Beach, California, City of Natchitoches, Louisiana, City of Manitou Springs, Fox Valley YMCA, Springfield YMCA, Sarasota YMCA, Southern Alabama University, Surburban Seahawks, Newton Square, PA, I Swim U., Safety Before Skill Swim School, AZ, Montana Swim School, Orlando Metro Gymnastics & Swim School, Orlando, FL, Swim Kids, FL, Sparkling Pool Services, NJ, NY & PA, and many more private swimming instructors, swim schools, pool management companies, and Y’s. Swim Lessons University sincerely thanks you for your support and loyalty.
For more information on how you can offer the Swim Lessons University at your facility, contact Swim Lessons University today at 803-665-8709 or email jreiser@swimprofessor.com
Here is Recreation Supervisor and Aquatic Director, Teri Gotro of El Dorado Hills, CA–speaking about her experience with Swim Lessons University AND sharing some video highlights of her SLU Certified staff in action:
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us atwww.SwimLessonsUniversity.com We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
Have you ever thought about training your swim school staff in customer service? How well are your swim instructors and front office personnel doing with “the welcome?” Surveys of customer service firms show that the act that most influences people’s satisfaction is the welcome! In one survey, 96% of the clients who said that they felt “very welcome” when they entered the company’s office, said they were “very satisfied” with the OVERALL EXPERIENCE. So the initial welcome FRAMES THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE! “The key moment in every relationship is the VERY FIRST.” So if you want to improve your numbers, don’t underestimate the “non-swimming” part of your swim school staff training.
To maximize the success of your swim program, you will want to spend time teaching your swim instructors how you want them to greet the students and parents. I would suggest that you call your office from time to time from an unknown phone number to hear how they sound when they answer the phone and greet your potential customers. Jeffrey Gitomer has a great tip for those struggling with that: Imagine you are talking to grandma. Imagine you are getting a call from a friend you haven’t heard from in years, he says. That’s how the tone of their voice should sound when they are greeting your customers. Thirdly, the way you reply to email. In our local business, I am the only one who replies to emails. Replying to emails can be tricky if it is going to be done well, and I would much rather my front line people TALK to my customers, especially if they have a complaint or concern. You want your customers to hear and feel that you really care. Typed words rarely do the trick.
I hope this blog was beneficial to you and your swim program. If you have questions or if you would like to do a “One-on-one Phone Consultation,” I would more than happy to help you solve your specific problems or help you brainstorm on your ideas. I personally guarantee our session will help.
To your success!
Jim Reiser, Executive Director
Swim Lessons University
The International Swimming Hall of Fame has named Jim Reiser the recipient of the 2015 Virginia Hunt Newman Award for his curriculum and approach in teaching infants, toddlers, and children to swim. Jim is the first American to win the award in 10 years.
If you would like to learn more about the Swim Lessons University certification program and curriculum, make sure to visit us atwww.SwimLessonsUniversity.com We have training and certification programs designed for both private instructors as well as organizations like YMCAs, Recreation Departments, Athletic Clubs, and more.
Swim Lessons University is currently being utilized by recreation departments, YMCAs, America Camp Association swim lessons programs, as well as by private swimming instructors in 45 states and over 30 countries!
You can also call us toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).
One of the most common misunderstandings about learn to swim classes is that each child has to be at the “exact” skill level. While there are certainly benefits to dividing children up based on their skill level in swimming lessons and I definitely recommend it, you will always have a range of swimming abilities and skill differences among students, just as you do in the classroom at school on any given subject, or any other class for that matter.
In fact, providing that the differences in skill level aren’t extreme, there are real and clear advantages when there are some differences. In addition, there are lessons to be learned when a child is the best student in the class andlessons to be learned when the student is the least skilled student in the class.
For example, if you observe a child who is the best student in the swim lessons –you may witness improvements in self-confidence, self-esteem, and even leadership qualities as this child may naturally start trying to help his fellow students or at least lead by example with his positive attitude and approach to learning. On the other hand, if you observe a student who is the least skilled swimmer in a class, this child will learn patience, persistence, and even better work ethic because he naturally wants to be as good as the other student(s).
Doesn’t this make perfect sense? Yet far too often, parents tend to want either one scenario or the other. Some learn to swim parents like it only when their child is the best. Other parents think their child needs challenged and they don’t want them in a class with children of lesser ability. But in my opinion, there are clearly advantages to exposing children to both scenarios.
I should also point out that when a swim lesson is thoughtfully organized, you will also often see one student excel in one skill/exercise and another excel in something else. In my opinion, every swim lessons should include five or six major skills or exercises that are appropriate for the student’s ability level. Within each of those five or six major skills, there should be progressions predetermined that will make a skill/drill start out easy, but gradually get harder. As in all ourSwim Lesson Plans, you will find progressions already designed for you within our four major courses:
1. Parent & Me
2. Swim 100 level (beginners learning fundamental swimming skills)
In addition, each of these levels are broken down further by age group, so your students are placed in age appropriate classes and the skills in each level are also age appropriate. Not to mention, the approach and terminology should be adjusted when you go from teaching preschoolers to swim to teaching school-aged children.
Make sure to check out our brand new home page video on Swim Lessons University. The video, also available on YouTube, is called What is Swim Lessons University?” In just over eight minutes, all your questions will be answered.
By watching this video you will learn all about Swim Lessons University. Whether you are a new start up business or an established one, a parent or teacher, whether you are a Red Cross, SwimAmerica, or Y program–you going to love the tips, ideas, and strategies you will discover at Swim Lessons University.
Maybe most importantly, you may be just looking for a swim instructor training program that is convenient and affordable. Swim Lessons University is a turn-key training program and you get to train all your swim teachers in house. You can adapt the entire Swim Lessons University system for your program or you can take bits and pieces. Whatever works for you! What’s most important to me is that we are all doing what we love to do—giving children a lifelong gift, teaching them how to swim and how to be safer in and around the water.
The Swim Lessons University system has been tested, tried, and proven. Jim Reiser’s approach has even been endorsed by
· Late, legendary, Olympic Swimming Coach Richard Quick
· WABC Executive Director and National Swim School Association Founder Steve Graves
· World renowned Author and coach Ernest Maglischo And many more
Questions?
Call us Toll Free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946)
