Basic Training FAQs
Answers to questions you may have about my mobile swim lesson programs
WHAT IS YOUR TRAVEL RANGE FOR NEW STUDENTS? My travel range for new students generally runs from Beach Blvd in Jacksonville Beach to Solana Rd in Ponte Vedra Beach. This range intentionally limited and has become more focused over time to ensure consistent, high-quality service. While I continue working with some returning families who live outside my updated range, I am not accepting additional new students in those neighborhoods. For more information, please click the link below.
WHERE DO YOU TEACH LESSONS? I am a mobile swim instructor and teach exclusively in private, in-home pools within my designated travel range. For Basic Training, Maintenance, and beginning stroke lessons, families must have access to a private home pool. I do not have my own pool and am unable to offer lessons at community pools or clubs. Stroke Development and Breath Control Training are separate programs for older students and are offered only at Fletcher High School. Fletcher is not available for learn-to-swim lessons, including Basic Training, Maintenance, or beginning stroke lessons.
WE LIVE OUTSIDE OF YOUR TRAVEL RANGE. WHO ELSE DO YOU RECOMMEND? I don’t maintain a referral list for instructors outside my travel range. Mobile swim instructors typically serve very specific neighborhoods and have limited availability, so I’m not able to recommend instructors for areas I don’t personally teach in. If you’re outside my travel range, I recommend searching locally for mobile instructors who regularly work in your neighborhood or reaching out to nearby swim schools or clubs for referrals.
WHAT DAYS AND TIMES DO YOU OFFER LESSONS? During peak season (March through October), I offer swim lessons Monday through Friday, with availability from 9:00am to 6:30pm. I do not offer early morning lessons. My first daily time slot begins at 9:00am. During the winter months, lesson availability is reduced, with hours typically running from 11:00am to 5:30pm.
WHAT MONTHS DO YOU OFFER LESSONS IF MY POOL CAN BE HEATED? For families who can heat their pool into the 80s+, I offer lessons year-round. Basic Training start dates typically run from mid-March through early October.
WHAT MONTHS DO YOU OFFER LESSONS IF MY POOL DOES NOT HAVE A HEATER? For pools without a heater, lessons run from early May through early October, when water temperatures are consistently in the 80s+.
WHO ARE YOU CERTIFIED BY? I am certified through Safety First PediAquatics (SFPA), where I teach the swim–float–swim method. I completed a comprehensive four-week training program in February 2020 in St. Cloud, Florida. I continue my education each winter through ongoing training and professional development so I can stay up to date and provide high-quality instruction for my students.
WHEN DO YOU TAKE NEW STUDENT REQUESTS? New student requests for Spring Basic Training open in mid-January for families with heated pools. Requests for Summer and Fall start dates open in early February. Because I’m a mobile instructor, spots are not first-come, first-served. My schedule is built around location and time of day to keep travel efficient and lessons consistent.
WHAT AGE DO YOU START BASIC TRAINING? Basic Training typically begins around 10 months of age, once a child’s motor skills are well developed and they have the strength and coordination to actively participate in lessons. As a mobile instructor teaching in private home pools, I start later so students are physically ready to hold the wall and practice swimming toward targets with support. This allows lessons to be more effective and developmentally appropriate as children gain strength and independence.
WHY 10-MINUTE LESSONS? Young children learn best in short, focused sessions. A 10-minute lesson allows students to stay engaged while repeatedly practicing essential skills like swimming to targets, floating, and the swim–float–swim sequence, helping them build strong habits without fatigue or overwhelm.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY CHILD COMPLETES BASIC TRAINING? After completing Basic Training, students transition into weekly Maintenance or stroke lessons to continue building skills and confidence in the water. Ongoing lessons help reinforce what was learned during Basic Training and support steady progress as children grow. Basic Training establishes a foundation for safety and independence, but continued practice is essential for long-term skill development. Weekly lessons allow students to maintain their abilities, improve technique, and adapt those skills as their strength, coordination, and endurance change.
MY CHILD HAS TAKEN ANOTHER SWIM–FLOAT–SWIM PROGRAM. WHERE DO THEY START IN YOUR PROGRAM? Placement depends on your child’s age and current skill level when we begin. Most new students start with Basic Training, while swimmers with more experience may be eligible to begin with a Refresher. Students who have completed multiple seasons of a swim–float–swim program and consistently use those skills typically can start in a Refresher. Children who participated briefly or completed a program at a very young age typically start with Basic Training to rebuild skills and confidence. Each student is placed where they can be successful and safe. From there, swimmers progress to weekly Maintenance or stroke lessons when they are developmentally ready.
DO YOU OFFER ADULT SWIM LESSONS? At this time, I do not offer swim lessons for adults due to limited availability.
