Explore Our Coach Tips
TIPS YOUR SWIM FIT ALASKA LLC COACHES WANT YOU TO
KNOW BEFORE STARTING LESSONS
1. Commit to being on time and attending regularly. It’s important to always listen to and support the swim school coaches. Students will learn at a faster pace and retain information better when lessons are consistent. Swimming lessons are a commitment that is important to keep, and we know it isn’t always easy with the busier schedules of today.
2. Students learn differently and at their own pace. We love seeing children and adults take to the water, well, like fish! Some jump right in and some need a little more time to feel comfortable. Building the strength and confidence for swimming lessons takes time. Know that you or your child are doing their best and it will look different than anyone else’s best.
3. Fear is contagious. Often parents, especially those who are not swimmers themselves, transmit their own fears to their children. Don’t let your words or body language discourage your child’s eagerness to learn. Swimming is fun and when done with coaches who care, it can be a life skill that will continually be built upon and enjoyed for years.
4. Just say no to arm floats, snorkel and nose plugs. Wearing “floaties” can give kids and adults a false sense of their abilities in the water and it’s best to avoid them in the initial learning stages. Nose plugs and snorkel masks prevent the process of “breathing” bubbles into the water which is an essential first step in swim lessons.
5. It’s best to watch rather than interact during the swimming lesson; parents should not attempt to engage their children or coaches during lessons. The swimming coach and child must focus solely on the session to get the most out of the experience and for safety.
6. Children and adults learn through play and talking. We deliberately incorporate lots of fun and play in our swim lessons. Early childhood experts agree that play is essential in a child’s physical and cognitive development. When learning is fun, retention improves, anxiety lessens, and progress accelerates. Everything you or your child does in class has a purposeful objective. So even though it may sometimes look like the class is “just” diving for sinkies, or “just” singing and splashing on the island; real learning is happening.
7. Trust is extremely important, we encourage you or your child to develop trust with your coach. Know that when the swim school coach spends lots of time talking to the you or your child and/or holding him, this is to build trust necessary to progress. Trust isn’t built in a few lessons, it’s built over time with care and patience. In order for children and adults to learn and thrive, they need to have a trusting relationship with their swim coach. So don’t be surprised if learning seems to be slow in the beginning. What is really happening is the coach is building a positive relationship before asking you or your child to do things that are outside of their comfort zone.
8. Don’t force yourself or your child into the water. Some adults and children need to observe before they are confident enough to join in the lessons, and this is okay. Building trust, especially when it comes to swimming, is essential for adults and little ones to be able to relax and learn the skills they’re being challenged with. We all have off days too! We encourage patience when it comes to progress. It’s normal to have a lesson where you or your child are tired, uncooperative, or upset. We feel it’s very important to read and listen to each students needs.
9. Reinforce the skills you or your child learns during swimming lessons at home. The more you practice the easier it becomes. If you’re not sure what skills you’re comfortable doing at home, just ask – we’ve got plenty of ideas!
10. Be patient with the staff, both administrative and instructional. We are a small family owned swim school with only 3 coaches. Our goal is to help as many people in Fairbanks and surrounding areas as possible while still keeping our coaching to a high standard. We are working with over 200 students each session to provide the best possible lessons and experience and need your patience as we attend to each student.
11. Questions about policies. Most of your questions can be answered in our FAQ section. Please read through them carefully before starting lessons.