Question 1

How do I book my first lesson?

Accepted Answer

Simply visit our online booking platform, select your preferred location and time slot, choose your lesson type (private, semi-private, or group), and complete the registration. You'll receive immediate confirmation and can pay securely online.

Question 2

What should I bring to my first lesson?

Accepted Answer

Just bring a swimsuit, towel, and positive attitude! We provide all necessary safety equipment including flotation devices. Goggles are optional but recommended for comfort.

Question 3

Do you teach complete beginners?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We specialize in teaching swimmers of all levels, from complete beginners who are nervous about water to advanced swimmers looking to refine their technique. Our instructors are trained to work with all comfort levels.

Question 4

What age groups do you teach?

Accepted Answer

We teach swimmers from 3 months old to seniors. Our Parent & Tot program is for ages 3 months to 3 years, preschool programs (3-5), children (6-12), teens (13-17), and adults (18+). Each program uses age-appropriate teaching methods.

Question 5

What if my child is terrified of water, not just nervous?

Accepted Answer

We work with truly terrified children regularly — the ones who scream at bath time or won't go near a pool. Our instructors are trained in gradual desensitization techniques. We start wherever your child is comfortable, even if that's just sitting on the pool steps. Private instruction means no pressure, no audience, and no timeline except your child's own pace. Most families see breakthrough moments within 6-8 lessons.

Question 6

My child cries at every swim lesson. Should we stop?

Accepted Answer

Tears in the first few lessons are normal and not a sign you should quit. Many of our most confident swimmers started the same way. Our instructors are trained to work through this with patience and gentleness. Usually the tears stop once your child realizes they're safe and starts having small wins. We'll communicate with you honestly — if we think something isn't working, we'll tell you.

Question 7

My child refuses to put their face in the water. How do you handle this?

Accepted Answer

Face submersion is one of the most common sticking points, and we never force it. We work in stages — splashing near the face, chin in water, blowing bubbles, brief dunks with warning — always at your child's pace. Some kids take weeks, others take months. Private lessons let us spend the time needed without pressure to keep up with a class.

Question 8

What if my child won't let go of the wall or me?

Accepted Answer

Wall-clingers and parent-clingers are our specialty. We use gradual distance techniques — moving inches at a time away from the wall or parent while building confidence. Your child learns they can get back to safety, which eventually makes letting go feel safe. This is exactly why private instruction works better than group lessons for anxious swimmers.

Question 9

Can adults who are afraid of water learn to swim?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many adults have avoided water for decades due to a bad experience or never learning as a child. Our adult lessons are completely private — no kids watching, no judgment. We start where you are, even if that means just getting comfortable sitting on the pool edge. Most fearful adults are swimming basic strokes within 10-12 lessons.

Question 10

How long are swim lessons?

Accepted Answer

We offer flexible lesson durations of 30, 45, and 60 minutes. The choice depends entirely on the swimmer's focus ability and how fast they want to progress. This flexibility allows us to match the lesson length to your swimmer's attention span, goals, and personal preferences for optimal learning.

Question 11

What's the difference between private, semi-private, and group lessons?

Accepted Answer

Private lessons (1:1) offer completely personalized instruction with 100% of the instructor's attention, perfect for rapid progress and addressing specific challenges. Semi-private lessons (max 1:3) provide personalized instruction while sharing costs with friends or family members. Group lessons (max 1:3) create a fun social learning environment with peers of similar skill level.

Question 12

How often should I take lessons?

Accepted Answer

For best results, we recommend 1-2 lessons per week. Consistent practice helps build muscle memory and confidence. More frequent lessons accelerate progress, while weekly lessons provide steady improvement with time to practice between sessions.

Question 13

Can family members take lessons together?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Semi-private and group lessons are perfect for family members who want to learn together. We can accommodate parents with children, siblings, or spouses in the same lesson if their skill levels are compatible.

Question 14

Are your instructors certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all our coaches are fully certified with the Lifesaving Society, including water safety, CPR, and first aid certifications. Many also hold additional certifications in swimming instruction and have years of experience teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Question 15

What safety measures do you have in place?

Accepted Answer

Safety is our top priority. We maintain low student-to-instructor ratios (maximum 3:1), provide safety equipment as needed, and conduct thorough pool safety briefings. All our instructors are certified in water safety, CPR, and first aid.

Question 16

What's your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations made at least 2 weeks prior to the start of a swim set are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made 1-2 weeks before the start date are eligible for a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 1 week before the swim set begins. Inspired Swim is unable to accommodate make-up lessons.

Question 17

What happens if my child is scared of the water?

Accepted Answer

This is very common and our instructors are specially trained to work with nervous swimmers. We use gentle, encouraging techniques to build confidence gradually. We never force anyone into the water and always work at the swimmer's comfort level.

Question 18

How far in advance can I book lessons?

Accepted Answer

We typically open registration 8 weeks before a swim set starts. Popular time slots fill up quickly, especially evening and weekend times, so we recommend booking as soon as registration opens to secure your preferred schedule.

Question 19

Can I reschedule my lesson?

Accepted Answer

We will try to accommodate reschedule requests, but please note that rescheduling is absolutely not guaranteed. Our schedules are often fully booked. We strongly encourage maintaining your regular schedule for best results and to keep your reserved time slot.

Question 20

Do you offer lessons on weekends?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Available days are location dependent as we do not operate 7 days a week at any specific location, but we do have lessons every day at one of our locations. Weekend slots are popular with families and working professionals, so we recommend booking these times early.

Question 21

What if I need to change instructors?

Accepted Answer

While we try to maintain consistency with instructors, we understand that sometimes a different teaching style might work better. We're happy to match you with a different instructor if needed.

Question 22

What is a swim set?

Accepted Answer

A swim set is a package of consecutive weekly lessons at the same day and time. Sets typically run for 7-10 weeks. When you book a set, you're reserving that specific time slot for the entire duration. Detailed progress tracking ensures every lesson picks up where the last one left off.

Question 23

Can I book individual lessons instead of a full set?

Accepted Answer

We primarily operate on a set-based system to ensure consistent progress and instructor availability. Drop-in lessons may be available on a limited basis if there are open spots, but we strongly recommend committing to a full set for the best learning experience and to secure your preferred time slot.

Question 24

How do you track progress?

Accepted Answer

We follow the Lifesaving Society swim levels and progression system, which provides a standardized framework for skill development. Your instructor tracks your progress through these established levels, providing feedback after each lesson. In your swimmer portal, you'll get updates and information about the swimmer level.

Question 25

How long does it take to learn to swim?

Accepted Answer

This varies greatly depending on age, comfort level, and lesson frequency. Children typically show significant progress within 7-10 lessons, while adults may take 10-20 lessons to feel confident. Everyone learns at their own pace.

Question 26

What swim levels do you teach?

Accepted Answer

We offer comprehensive swim instruction from Parent & Tot programs through Swimmer 6 levels. We follow the Lifesaving Society swim levels, the nationally recognized standard in Canada. This includes Preschool levels (1-5), Swimmer levels (1-6). For adults, we offer a separate beginner-focused program tailored to adult learning needs.

Question 27

Can adults learn to swim if they've never learned as children?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! It's never too late to learn to swim. Many of our adult students are complete beginners who learned to swim in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Our adult-focused teaching methods make learning comfortable and achievable.

Question 28

What is the Making Waves program?

Accepted Answer

Making Waves is our community impact program where every swim set purchased provides one free swim lesson to a child or family who wouldn't otherwise have access. It's our way of ensuring water safety is accessible to everyone in our community.

Question 29

How can I refer a family in need?

Accepted Answer

If you know a family who would benefit from free swim lessons through Making Waves, you can refer them through our website or contact us directly. We work with community organizations to identify families who need support.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Nervous & Fearful Swimmers

Lesson Information

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Scheduling & Booking

Progress & Goals

Making Waves Program

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