The American Camp Association has added Swim Lessons University as one of the ACA’s nationally recognized Learn-to-Swim providers. Says Rhonda Mickelson, ACA Director of Standards, “we are pleased to announce Swim Lessons University is now an officially recognized provider for ACA swim lessons programs and swim instructor certification.”

Swim Lessons University makes training swimming instructors more convenient and affordable. Through video-based instructor training and online certification testing, many organizations are looking to Swim Lessons University for their services. Barb Limbo, Aquatics Specialist and Supervisor for Rapid City Recreation in South Dakota says, “The ease of training staff is great. The videos not only show the instructors how to interact with the children, they show real classes and real teachers using the actual skill progressions. Executive director Jim Reiser is wonderful and has been great to work with on the switch at our facility–making our transition much easier.“ Teri Gotro, Recreation Director in El Dorado Hills, California, posted her thoughts and video samples of her instructors using the SLU curriculum on her YouTube page.

If you would like to learn how to become a Swim Lessons University Certified Swimming Instructor, or how to implement the SLU curriculum at your facility–visit the SLU website or call the SLU National Office toll free at 1-866-498-SWIM (7946).

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 was 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 at www.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).

Every child should be a “black belt” in swimming! Why? Because if you give your child the opportunity to become a strong, competent swimmer, you are giving him the best “self-defense” against the leading cause of accidental death in children.

Despite popular belief, the biggest risk to your child isn’t the local school bully. It’s the neighbor’s swimming pool, it’s the pool party, it’s the boating or fishing outing, it’s the riptide your child finds himself in when “boogie boarding” in the ocean!   According to the the Center of Disease Control & Injury Prevention,  drowning takes more lives than any other accident for children under the age of six.  For children ages 6-14, only automobile accidents take more lives.  And when you consider the amount of time your child spends around the water vs. in the car, we can all agree that relatively speaking–the potential for accidental drowning should really be a parent’s biggest concern.

As a parent, even if you do the right thing and make sure your child becomes an excellent swimmer through ongoing and professional swimming instruction, it’s critical that you continue to respect the dangers of the water. Just as a parent of a young black belt should continue to respect and avoid dangerous neighborhoods. Just because a young child earns a black belt in karate, common sense guides parents against letting their child walk along down that dangerous street at night.

Parents of our young “swimming black belts” need to act accordingly as well. Children should never swim without constant supervision. Life jackets should still be worn on boats or when your child is swimming in the ocean or in open water. If you own a pool, you should still install four-sided fencing, self-closing gates and latches, and utilize the latest technology in swimming pool alarms. All parents should know how to administer CPR. This system is known as the Safer 3 and should be followed by parents of non-swimmers and swimmers alike.

How do you get a “black belt” in swimming? As far as I know, there is no such thing! But at Swim Lessons University, we do have a swim lessons award system that utilizes silicone bracelets that is quite similar to earning karate belts, and each colored wristband has a water safety component to it. For example, if a child is a beginner he/she wears a red wristband. Red stands for danger. A non-swimmer is obviously in danger when they are in or around the water. In addition, all major skills that the child needs to master in order to get his “next wristband” are abbreviated with a star beside the abbreviated skill right on the wristband.  When all stars are punched out of the wristband, he is awarded the next wristband, just alike a “karate belt.”

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 Online Swim Instructor Certification  and curriculum, make sure to visit us at www.SwimLessonsUniversity.com

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).

How can your swim instructors take your lessons program to another level?  This email exchange demonstrates how Swim Lessons University training can help your Learn to Swim program experience the same success, not only in the pool, but on making an impression on your customers–the parents.   Your Swim Teachers are the lifeblood of your program.   Make sure they are representing you well.

Dear  Coach Reiser:

I want you to know how much we have enjoyed having Ms. Michelle teach our daughter Ashley to swim over the last 6 weeks.  Michelle has been an outstanding swim teacher by praising Ashley when she succeeds in learning a new swim technique and constantly praising her  when she continues to improve on her swimming skills.  Ashley is excited to see Michelle every night at the pool and is dressed and ready to go swim as soon as I get home from work.  When we arrive at the swimming location, Ashley practically runs to the pool so she can begin her lessons.  Ashley is usually very shy around new people she meets but struck up an instant friendship with Michelle from day one.  Coach Michelle ALWAYS has a smile on her face and speaks not only to Ashley and me, but to my 2 year old daughter who comes with us to the pool.  Michelle has even taken the time to learn my 2 year old’s name and waves good bye to her when we leave so Ashley can begin her lesson and when we leave after the lesson is over. (this will be part of our “Marketing YOU and Your Swim School” presentation at this year’s Swim Lessons University Swim Instructor Conference).

I have registered Ashley for your next swim lessons session and Ashley requested that I again get Michelle for her teacher,and have done so.  What a huge compliment for a teacher when they are specifically requested by name!

We are hoping Michelle will be teaching again next summer so that Ashley can again receive the encouragement and praise she needs to continue her swimming skills.

Thank you!
Hannah M.

Hi Hannah!

That is really awesome!  And thank you…  I believe this is the only way we
separate ourselves in this economy, so I spend part of our instructor
training stressing this type of thing.  I am so glad it is appreciated.  Of
course the most important part is Ashley is learning to swim and enjoying
the process.

If you are on facebook, I would love to reward you for your comments.   Let
me know and I’ll tell you how to proceed….

Thanks!

jim

I am glad to hear that Michelle will be rewarded for her efforts.  Not too
many companies will do that for their employees in this economy.  That’s
wonderful and a real motivator!

When Ashley started swim classes in early July she could not go underwater
for more than 2-3 seconds without panicking or would get frustrated when
her dad would try to teach her swimming techniques.  Last night I watched Michelle give Ashley your Adv. Swim Strokes lesson plan as she practiced her butterfly swim style and then dove under the water in the 41/2 feet deep to retrieve an item from the bottom of the pool.  The only thing I kept thinking was “This is the same child who was afraid of going under water no more than a month ago and who was afraid of taking swimming lessons??? Really???”  Even Michelle has commented on how quickly Ashley has learned how to swim.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that I almost literally have to jump into the pool myself to get Ashley out when class is over.  She loves it that much.  We are so looking forward to next spring/summer.

Thanks again,
Hannah

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 was 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 at www.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 and lessons 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 our Swim 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)

3.      Swim Strokes 200 level (advanced beginners learning strokes)

4.      Advanced Swim Strokes 300 level (intermediate swimmers learning advanced strokes).

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.

For more information on the  Swim Lessons University curriculum and our swim lesson awards system, visit us at Swim Lessons University.

Your swim lessons curriculum is something every swim school should take seriously.  But even more important than the curriculum itself, is how the swim school owners ensure that each and every member of their staff of swim instructors have lesson plans, can effectively teach the swim skills sets and progressions, and have a strong foundation of teaching skills as taught in the Teach Like a Pro DVD.

Judi McIntosh, founder of Swimsational Swim School, LLC in Sulphur, Louisiana, comments on The Swim Lessons University curriculum and DVD’s:

“We love your videos. We started using them as supplemental swim lesson tools, but we now use your Breaststroke 301 and Butterfly 301 for our swim instructors as our primary instruction for the beginner levels of these two strokes.  I have found over the 35 years of teaching, that demonstration, manipulation, and positive reinforcement are the basic teaching tools of the trade.  Many times the less experienced instructors don’t see the importance of breaking down the strokes, and I have to say that your Swim Lessons University techniques are “full-proof.”  I also had an awesome mentor years ago who reiterated the 3 Stages of Learning and I have always tried to pass this on to my instructors.  Because of the help of your video, my job is now so much easier.

I am looking to the Swim Lessons University Conference in Las Vegas! Thanks again!

This is just one sample of quickly growing number of teachers and swim school owners around the country who are benefiting from the Swim Lessons University training system.   One of the great advantages of Swim Lessons University are that you don’t have to change what you do!  You can use the materials as a supplement to what you are already doing, or you can use it a blueprint for your entire program.  That’s up to you.

Lastly, if you visit Swim Lessons University, note under Swim Instructor Tools you can even utilize our new online testing for your staff, a new innovative swim awards bracelet system for your students, and even laminated lesson plans!