FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When can I sign up? What ages do you start Swimmers in 'Group' lessons?
You can enroll at any time, provided there are openings. If you join in the middle of payment period, we will pro-rate your fees. New swimmers 3 1/2 (3.5) to Age 11 will need to pass the swim test . Children can stay enrolled in Baby n' Me Class until Age 3.5. We cannot deviate from our starting age of 3.5 in Group Lessons (lane 1). Years ago we started swimmers at Age 3 (36 mos.) in Lane 1, but since we have 5 classes running simultaneously, we found the swimmers in Lanes 2-5 got less service as the deck supervisor spent a majority of the time in Lane 1 (helping with a young swimmer who cried, needed assistance, or just having separation anxiety). It happens to even the best young swimmers, and this way we can control the quality for everyone enrolled.
Time Slots: Depending on the time of year, you may have to take a less-desired time slot, and then work your way into a slot that is more preferred. It's the best service for families to have all of their children swim at the same lesson time, but sometimes that is not possible initially. However, availability constantly changes as swimmers progress into more advanced lanes. Staying enrolled year-round alleviates most concerns about time slots. Once you drop out, you lose the priority registration that currently enrolled families enjoy.
Time Slots: Depending on the time of year, you may have to take a less-desired time slot, and then work your way into a slot that is more preferred. It's the best service for families to have all of their children swim at the same lesson time, but sometimes that is not possible initially. However, availability constantly changes as swimmers progress into more advanced lanes. Staying enrolled year-round alleviates most concerns about time slots. Once you drop out, you lose the priority registration that currently enrolled families enjoy.
What if my swimmer can’t pass the test?
2 Choices: You would be directed toward our Nervous Beginner Program, or swim for fun and retest at a later date. Our Nervous Beginner Program is a great program for swimmers who have limited experiences being completely submerged. However, there is often a waiting list to start in the school year. There is more information about Nervous Beginner Semi Private (NBSP) under "PROGRAMS".
Can all of my children come at the same time?
We often have 5 different ability levels (or lanes) after school, so it is possible to enroll all your kids and that is our goal to make it convenient. Factors include how many children you have to enroll, time slot availability, and how flexible you are. If you can come right after school at 3:45 or 4:30pm, it’s a lot easier to find spots than after 5:15 or 6pm. Sometimes we can arrange lesson times where your children swim back-to-back until one time slot for all your children becomes available. The time of the year also effects whether all your children can be in the same time slot. We are busy year round, including the summer, but in the winter months around the holidays we often have a few more openings. Keep in touch via email, if we don’t have a spot that works for you now, something could open up at any time!
How long does it take to get through the program?
The progress ranges drastically, but we always tell new families that families that swim together and make swimming part of their lifestyle will advance much quicker than those who are not exposed to water for fun. Swimming for fun builds confidence and promotes breath control. Lots of parents, however, are uncomfortable in the water themselves, which can delay their children’s progress and compromise their swimmers’ confidence. If you begin in our program at age 5, for example, and finish the program (achieve sticker #10) you can swim 300 yards freestyle w/side breathing, 100 yards backstroke, and a 100IM, which includes 25 yards of breaststroke and butterfly! It’s a huge accomplishment and you are definitely a safe swimmer upon completion. Swimming is like music and other sports: the more you practice, the BETTER you will get.
Should we enroll, once or twice a week?
We recommend swimming 1x/week year round (40 minutes) for consistency and steady progress. Research indicates swimming once a week year round is a better alternative than attending twice a week and stopping/dropping for a duration of time. When swimmers get in and out, it negatively affects their skills and prolongs the duration of their time in the program. Yes, we know twice/week works better, and yes you can enroll in twice a week, but many families are busy and cannot sustain 2x/week year round. When families get busy with all their other activities and choose to drop lessons, there are drawbacks including progress, and safety around a pool! Children can enroll in Lane 1 at age 3 ½, so a swimmer that starts young has an advantage over swimmers who may delay and develop anxiety over the water. Your child may not be ready to begin at Age 3 ½, but you would definitely want to begin before Age 5 ½ or 6. We offer a Baby n’ Me program, and those children are definitely ready to start Lane 1 by Age 3 ½! Baby n’ Me is a time commitment, but it works!
What is the difference between the 5 Lanes/LEVELS?
There are 5 different lanes at Swim America, and most classes after school have all 5 lanes running simultaneously. We always have lanes 1-3 running, and occasionally we just have a Lane 4 open, or a Lane 5. Swimmers in Lane 1 are at the very beginner stages of learning to swim and require instructors to be more hands-on, whereas in Lane 5 swimmers are much more advanced and the instructor is able to teach out of the water. All new swimmers must past the swim test which indicates they have had previous experience going under water.
Overview of the lanes:
Lane 1- Works on breath holding (retrieving rings off the steps) so they can front float. The goal is to get new swimmers to hold their breath for 10 seconds, so then they are able to front float by themselves for 10 seconds. We also teach back float, and then advance to swimming (arms), front and back kicking. (Age 3.5-6)
Lane 2 - Swimmers can front kick in a streamline position over 20 feet without stopping/breathing; able to back kick, and work on freestyle. They are good at front kicking and have good breath holding. We'll continue to practice their back kick, work on rollovers, and freestyle and backstroke. (Age Range is 4-8)
Lane 3 - Instructed on freestyle side breathing, and backstroke. In order to advance to lane 4, swimmers must master side breathing. (Age Range is typically 6-11, but some swimmers Age 5 who have been enrolled for awhile are qualified.)
Lane 4 - Continue to work on freestyle and backstroke in the deep area of the pool. Also, work on treading, and breaststroke kick.
Lane 5 - They are strong freestyle and backstroke swimmers, so we primarily work on breaststroke and butterfly. In order to finish the program (sticker #10) they must swim 300 yds. freestyle.
Overview of the lanes:
Lane 1- Works on breath holding (retrieving rings off the steps) so they can front float. The goal is to get new swimmers to hold their breath for 10 seconds, so then they are able to front float by themselves for 10 seconds. We also teach back float, and then advance to swimming (arms), front and back kicking. (Age 3.5-6)
Lane 2 - Swimmers can front kick in a streamline position over 20 feet without stopping/breathing; able to back kick, and work on freestyle. They are good at front kicking and have good breath holding. We'll continue to practice their back kick, work on rollovers, and freestyle and backstroke. (Age Range is 4-8)
Lane 3 - Instructed on freestyle side breathing, and backstroke. In order to advance to lane 4, swimmers must master side breathing. (Age Range is typically 6-11, but some swimmers Age 5 who have been enrolled for awhile are qualified.)
Lane 4 - Continue to work on freestyle and backstroke in the deep area of the pool. Also, work on treading, and breaststroke kick.
Lane 5 - They are strong freestyle and backstroke swimmers, so we primarily work on breaststroke and butterfly. In order to finish the program (sticker #10) they must swim 300 yds. freestyle.
How long does it take to have a ‘Safe’ Swimmer?
Swim America corporate indicates you are a safe swimmer when you can swim 300 yards freestyle. That’s true. We tell families that swimming in Lane 4 is the first step, as the teachers are not in the water all the time and you learn how to tread water. It takes quite a bit of time depending on how early you begin, your consistency, and if your parents are Safe Swimmers. It can be a 2 ½ - 3 year process to finish the program from Lane 1 to Lane 5. However, it varies. We recently had an 8 year old boy start in Lane 3, and finished Lane 5 with all 10 stickers in 3 months. That is rare. You can start in Lane 1 at Age 3 ½. Swimmers in Lane 1 are between the Age of 3 ½-6.
Do you have a swim team/What age do swimmers start team?
We do not have a Swim team, but many of our swimmers advance to Bloomington Normal Swim Club (BNSC). There are other USA year round swim teams in our area as well. In terms of readiness, age is not really a factor; it’s skill level. Once you know how to swim all four competitive strokes, and have more time to commit to swimming you are ready for Team. In our Program, that corresponds to sticker #8 on the sticker chart. You'd want to know all strokes before joining a swim team as Team is not a learn to swim/teaching environment. At team, you perfect your strokes, and add speed to the strokes. Swim Team needs to be taught in a cooler, 25 yard pool! Our Pool is only 20 yards and we have a bulk head so the deep end area is only about 12 yards. We do offer a Stroke Technique (ST) Class at Swim America for swimmers Age 6-8 who have goals of joining a swim team and competing. To qualify for ST, they need to be a Lane 4 level swimmer, and comfortable practicing in our deep end.
What if I miss a class?
During the school year when most everyone comes after 3:30pm, we do NOT offer make up classes. With a 4:1 ratio it would be impossible to fit in swimmers for missed classes. However, we do have a make-up policy in the summer since many days we are open mornings andevenings since the children are out of school. During the school-year we offer a free Friday Family Swim pass for missed classes. We find swimmers who come to Family Swim to play and practice, advance quicker than others who do not!
How many swimmers are in a class?
We offer a 4:1 ratio in Group swim lessons, so class sizes are small and 40 minutes. And, sometimes when swimmers have to miss their lesson, the class size can be even smaller. There can be 7 children enrolled in the Baby Class because that class gets the entire shallow end of the pool. 7:1 Ratio for Baby n’ Me.
What forms of payment do you accept?
At this time we accept:
- Check or cash.
- Paypal.
- We do not take credit/debit cards at the facility. However, we can accept online banking payments if you set up Swim America as a vendor. We also have a drop off box outside the office, if you come down to pay and the office is closed.
Question 11
Answer to question 11
Where are you located?
While our address is 510 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL….you actually enter the building from the back (north side of the building) which is the intersection of Jefferson and McLean Streets. Our facility is just east of downtown Bloomington, and across the street from Wesley United Methodist Church on Washington Street. There are 3 parking lots which are all for the use of patrons of the building. Once you enter the building, follow the ‘pool blue’ paint down to our office.
What is your Refund Policy?
2 Options if you want to Cancel:
A) Credit to your account, less a $20 drop fee (and 48 hours notice). There is no time limit to use your credit, but you are forfeiting the class/time slot.
B) Refund Check: There is the $20 drop fee, and a $10 administrative fee ($30 total ) for mailing a check, or refunding through PayPal.
How do you handle medical situations/ extensive leaves when you want to retain your day/time slot?
This is a commonly asked question, as children have accidents, or families suddenly need to leave town to assist with a family emergency. If you want to keep the class, you have to pay for the class. During the school year we can give you a free family swim pass for every class you miss, but you are not credited for any classes as we are holding your time slot. If the medical situation or absence is long, you have the option to Cancel. See the cancellation policy above.
A) Credit to your account, less a $20 drop fee (and 48 hours notice). There is no time limit to use your credit, but you are forfeiting the class/time slot.
B) Refund Check: There is the $20 drop fee, and a $10 administrative fee ($30 total ) for mailing a check, or refunding through PayPal.
How do you handle medical situations/ extensive leaves when you want to retain your day/time slot?
This is a commonly asked question, as children have accidents, or families suddenly need to leave town to assist with a family emergency. If you want to keep the class, you have to pay for the class. During the school year we can give you a free family swim pass for every class you miss, but you are not credited for any classes as we are holding your time slot. If the medical situation or absence is long, you have the option to Cancel. See the cancellation policy above.
Are there discounts for enrolling more than 1 child?
Yes, for Group Lessons. Not for Nervous Beginner Semi-Privates. 10% for the first; 20% for 2nd or more child or adult enrolled during the same payment period. Yes, and the unit cost per lesson for 2x/week are less expensive too.Answer to question 14
How far in advance can I reserve a spot?
Two weeks. And, yes, the warmer it gets, the busier it gets. You can always send us an email to check availability. Swim@RKSA.comcastbiz.net
Do you have lessons in the Summer?
Yes, and we are pretty busy. We do offer morning classes since the children are out of school. And, we historically do not offer Saturday morning classes in the Summer. Staffing Saturdays isn’t easy and with families taking lots of 3-day weekends during the summer, there isn’t the demand. The summer schedule is often only 9 to 10 weeks long, and will begin usually the first week of June. We often take a 2-week break in advance of the Fall/School Year session to allow for maintenance, registration, staffing and other business details.
Can I request the teacher?
No, and our teacher schedules’ will change especially from the School-Year to the Summer. Lots of employees are in school and their class schedule and commitments change from semester to semester, so that affects staffing. We have between 13-16 teachers, and they have various areas of expertise. We like to place teachers in lanes that align with their swimming/coaching background. Some are more comfortable working with younger beginners, so will work in Lane 1 and 2. Others have a swim team background and work in Lane 4 or 5 teaching breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers will automatically change teachers when they advance from Lane to Lane. The teacher does not advance with them. We love that children and parents love our teachers, but our job is to build trust in themselves and their skills.
If I take a break, can I return to my same time slot?
When you decide to take a break from lessons, you forfeit your spot which then becomes available to other swimmers including families on the waiting list. When you are ready to return to lessons, contact us and we will try our best to find you a time slot. Always contact us 2 weeks in advance of when you want to return. You can start at any time, not just at the beginning of a new payment date. We prorate if in the middle of a payment period. We can hold a spot for two weeks (only) in advance, and to secure the spot, you should stop in and person and register/pay. If you cancel for any reason during a payment period, there is a $20 drop fee. If a child is struggling for any reason, or just losing interest, please share that information with the deck person so we can help work through the situation. We will always encourage parents to follow through with the lessons you paid for especially if your child is not an independent, safe swimmer!
I hear the reference to the “Deck Person”. (DP) What is their role during lessons?
The deck person is in charge of Safety, Lane Advancement, Awarding Stickers, and general Quality Control. They are skilled in all 5 ability levels at RKSA, so very knowledgeable. If you have a question, ask them. If they do not have the answer initially, they will investigate and communicate accordingly. Parents do NOT talk to the teachers before, or after class, so the Deck Person is your reference. Always voice your questions or concerns, and it is best to talk with the DP at the beginning of a class, versus on your way out the door. We are here to help. Most lesson times, we also have an Office Person so those two employees are managing the facility. The office person will make the relevant changes in the lanes and assist the DP. If you have questions about changes in time slot, or payment, see the Office. Not the DP. Always ask questions.
DO YOU HAVE OPEN SWIM, AND CAN WE COME AND SWIM FOR FUN OR PRACTICE?
Yes, we offer Family Swim during the school-year for currently enrolled Swim America customers from 6:45-8:15pm on Friday nights. Although lifeguards are provided, a parent is still required to be in the pool with their child. Families that swim together for Fun, advance much quicker! We see it all the time! COST: $2/person or $5/family.
