FAQ'S

1) What age do you start teaching at?

I insist that my students be toilet trained. There are no "waterproof diapers". Younger than that, it's mostly about water adjustment and playing in the water. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/swim-diapers-swim-pants.html

2) Why do you prefer to teach only private lessons?

I feel that a student learns significantly faster with private lessons. I do offer semi-private lessons as long as the students are at a similar level. Additionally, I work out of my home and neighbors generally prefer quiet streets.

3) Family Swim Lessons - What are they?

Do you have a pool in your backyard and booked lessons with me because you want you kids water safe, but you are terrified of the water?

In the summers of 2020 and 2021, I had well meaning parents book lessons with me for their kids but THEY couldn't swim. Two major concerns - 1) Despite the kids swimming proficiency, freak situations like seizures, heart attacks, strokes, fainting, a bad bump to the head can happen to kids. I asked these parents if they'd be comfortable saying goodbye to their child because they couldn't swim. Or, would they be fine dying in trying to help their child. Morbid, I know. But a possible reality. 2) As homeowners, what if a guest of yours started drowning and no one knew how to swim?

That's why I offer family lessons. Plus they're fun way to bond with the family.

4) Goggles and masks.... do you allow them?

In general, no. They're really distracting for kids under 10. Additionally, it's a safety thing. If a child were to fall, or get pushed into water, they most likely won't have goggles. Once my students can show they're comfortable without goggles, then they become optional. For adults, especially contact lenses wearers- yes, goggles are allowed.

5) What is your curriculum like?

We've got 2 options:

1) I work with your swimming goals, so it varies from student to student.

2) For beginners-especially kids, I have a progression.

- Water adjustment - walking, blowing bubbles, getting comfortable

- Floats - back floats and front floats

- Kicks- Flutter and breaststroke (frog kick)

- Arms- paddling and breaststroke arms (pizza or frog arms)

- Doggie paddling or swimming with eyes down, and popping up for air

- Safety Swims 1.0: Climbing out, jumping in and swimming to the nearest wall, calmly.

- Treading water

- Safety Swims 2.0 Climbing out, jumping in deep water, treading water for 20 seconds, and swimming to the nearest wall, calmly.

- Introduction to Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Butterfly

6) Are you certified?

There is no "umbrella" certification for swim instructors. WSI is for Red Cross taught swim lessons only. I was WSI certified for a while in the late 90's early 2000's. I am insured, and CPR/First Aid certified with 20+ years of lifeguarding experience.

7) Where have you taught?

I'm a recent Bay Area transplant. I've taught at the Highlands Recreation Center, The City of San Mateo, St. Ignatius, San Mateo Athletic Club, The PJCC, The YMCA, Aqua Sport Swim Academy, Andersons and Shipman Swim School. They all have their own styles and I've since created my own.

8) My child won't stop crying and HATES swim lessons. Can you help?

I can try. There are many reasons why a child is scared - past trauma, age, water temperature etc etc. I will try to work my "magic" as best I can. I may ask you to remain out of sight. I may ask you to join us. If a young child is still crying loudly, possibly shaking with fear and agitation and incessantly crying by the 3rd lesson, it may be best to put lessons on hold for a season. They may just not be ready. Toddlers especially will show this behavior.

9) Do you teach adults?

Absolutely! If you are a scared or somewhat stubborn adult.... we'll work through it. It'll be like therapy in the pool. I won't let your past trauma haunt you. In fact, if your little one is enrolled in lessons, I encourage you to get in and join us. And good for you for learning how to swim! You're going to love it!

10) What is your philosophy?

I think swimming should be fun. I teach beginners to be safe and relaxed and how to swim to a wall or stairs. From there, we work on technique and then speed. My use of equipment is limited unless it will expedite the learning process. I usually have a kickboard, kick stick, a noodle, fins and sinking toys.

11) Discipline? If my child is not listening or acting out, do you do anything?

As long as they're old enough to understand consequences to actions, I believe in the "3 strikes and you're out" rule. And the "out" is a minute sitting on the pool deck without a towel. It usually remedies any poor behavior quickly.

12) Do you work with special populations?

Since 2014, I've worked with 6 students with varying needs from severe ADHD, to Down Syndrome, to Autism. They all love the water now and one wants to join the swim team. I also had a brief go as an ABA therapist - sadly, it didn't offer enough hours to pay the bills, but I loved it.

13) OMG!? I'm getting married and want to learn to Scuba dive in two weeks because my honeymoon is in three weeks!! Can you help?

Maybe. It depends on your current comfort level in the water and ability. Assuming you've registered for the scuba class already, the instructor legally needs to test you- It's an un-timed 200 yard swim - any style, ten minutes of treading water and a 50 foot underwater swim with one breath. You may be in amazing weight-lifting or Zumba shape. Getting into "swimming shape" that quickly will be difficult.

14) Do you allow water wings or any other swim aid on my child during the lesson?

No. It gives them a false sense of being able to swim.Why are you here looking to hire me? In fact, they're terrible all around. SO many drownings take place because parents believe their kids are safer. However, Coast Guard approved life vests are recommended when boating for non-swimmers and swimmers alike as open waters are unpredictable.

15) How long should my lesson be?

For young children and beginning/fearful adults, a half hour is plenty. For older kids or adults needing stroke development 45-60 minutes is ideal.

16) What is the schedule?

My operating hours are M-Th 4-8pm, Saturdays 9-1/2-5. I offer swimming lessons from early May-September The pool is heated between 80-85 degrees Farenheit (26-29C).

17) What about dry drowning?

I nearly quit teaching a few years back afraid of possible lawsuits. But for about 18 years before that, I'd never heard of it. After looking into it, I've learned that while possible, it's next to impossible. Some MD's debunk it entirely. Usually if there is a death after an inhalation of water, it's due to the water exacerbating an already existing health problem. - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180606163050.htm

18) Can you do Reiki and/or life coaching in the water?

Definitely. Reiki is a holistic healing art that falls under complementary medicine, much like acupuncture. In brief, it's much like the Japanese version of the Judeo-Christian"laying on of the hands". It promotes relaxation and healing and is available upon request. In 2021, most of my swim clients "slept really well for a few nights". With my adult swim clients, swim lessons usually encompass many life coaching techniques.