Well, as of right now, it looks as though we will be hosting lessons at the Benedict Inn in Beech Grove. I am not terribly hopeful with the response we are expecting, so if we can host it where the water will be warm and the shallow end is shallow enough for little ones, then we will.
Right now we will probably start with two, two week sessions, 3-4 days each week. If we have enough interest to go longer, or offer more sessions, even through out the year, great.
Make sure to check back, as we will hopefully have some dates, costs and times soon.
As always, ANY comments, suggestions and questions are welcome.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Where will lessons be?
I am still on a search for a venue for our program. I have had some contact with a couple of different pools, and am hoping that one will work out. I would still like to be able to hold lessons at the Benedict Inn, since it is where we started and it is such a great lessons pool.
Any suggestions? Any preferences?
Any suggestions? Any preferences?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Names
So, while I have an easy to remember e-mail & blog address, I don't really find it as a catchy business name. Since I am a little short in the creativity department, I would like to know if any of you have any name suggestions. Something catchy & creative, but not too childish. I want people to know that we are willing to teach adults as well.
Maybe I can make it a contest... I'll start trying to come up with a prize for the winning name!
Ready...... GO!
Maybe I can make it a contest... I'll start trying to come up with a prize for the winning name!
Ready...... GO!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Contact Info.
Right over here.... -> you'll notice a phone number & an e-mail. That is the new number to call with question about swim lessons, and e-mail for questions or comments. If you have a business card of mine, please make a note of the changes.
What I Offer
I have been teaching lessons for many years. I have two children and am comfortable with kids in the water. For this reason, most of my lessons are with younger children, and sometimes with those scared of the water. I love these kinds of lessons because they have the most potential for growth.
It is incredibly rewarding to see the parents' faces as they watch their terrified child drop the death grip and enjoy being the water. Or leave the steps or put her face in the water. I love it.
Let me take this opportunity to tell you that I do not dunk unless the parent either approves or wants it done. My teachers WILL NOT DUNK!
I have also had children who love to "swim," but wouldn't be able to save himself. These survival skill lessons are fun, because here the child can see the progress & feels a boost of confidence. I still stress they should never swim alone, but in a worst case scenario, he will be able to save himself.
I do not have a lot of experience in teaching adults, but I do have some. I am all for it, I just have not yet built up that base yet.
I teach at the Benedict Inn and it is a great instructional pool. Warm waters, 3ft to 9ft and not as large as some pools, so the intimidation may not be as fierce.
I will usually go as young as 3, and not for as long as, say, a child of 8yrs. With children younger than 3 - it really depends. I have not yet done it, but I would suggest one lesson, with the parent, and show the parent techniques they can use to help the child. I would tell them what the little person should know before we have full-fledged lessons.
I have no problem admitting when I can no longer teach. Let me explain - if we have been going for 6 weeks and your child has plateaued, I will not continue to teach him, and will be honest and open with you. I will tell you that we should take a break, and maybe try again in a month or two. There is no good from wasting my time, plus your time & money.
Anyway, if you have any questions for me about private lessons, please feel free to leave a comment, but please include an e-mail or another way to get in touch with you about specific questions. I will answer general questions in a comment, or another post, if I get enough.
It is incredibly rewarding to see the parents' faces as they watch their terrified child drop the death grip and enjoy being the water. Or leave the steps or put her face in the water. I love it.
Let me take this opportunity to tell you that I do not dunk unless the parent either approves or wants it done. My teachers WILL NOT DUNK!
I have also had children who love to "swim," but wouldn't be able to save himself. These survival skill lessons are fun, because here the child can see the progress & feels a boost of confidence. I still stress they should never swim alone, but in a worst case scenario, he will be able to save himself.
I do not have a lot of experience in teaching adults, but I do have some. I am all for it, I just have not yet built up that base yet.
I teach at the Benedict Inn and it is a great instructional pool. Warm waters, 3ft to 9ft and not as large as some pools, so the intimidation may not be as fierce.
I will usually go as young as 3, and not for as long as, say, a child of 8yrs. With children younger than 3 - it really depends. I have not yet done it, but I would suggest one lesson, with the parent, and show the parent techniques they can use to help the child. I would tell them what the little person should know before we have full-fledged lessons.
I have no problem admitting when I can no longer teach. Let me explain - if we have been going for 6 weeks and your child has plateaued, I will not continue to teach him, and will be honest and open with you. I will tell you that we should take a break, and maybe try again in a month or two. There is no good from wasting my time, plus your time & money.
Anyway, if you have any questions for me about private lessons, please feel free to leave a comment, but please include an e-mail or another way to get in touch with you about specific questions. I will answer general questions in a comment, or another post, if I get enough.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Another Plea for Help
Tired of my whining? I know, I am too. We really want this to work out, and I am getting worried that it will fizzle before it even begins. I am hoping that by the end of the week (or early next) we can get signs up on community boards like the grocery stores, churches, libraries... any other suggestions? Maybe that will help.
We need to know when is the best time for your lessons, when is the worst. Are you interested at all? Please let us know. We would love to be able to hold sign-ups, but maybe it won't go well with your schedule. Don't wish you had spoken up. SPEAK UP!
As in a previous post, we expect to provide you with outstanding service in way of lessons. I am not promising your child will be in the next Olympics, but we will try our hardest to get them, to progress. Our long-term goal is to be able to track children - basically when you check in with us next summer, we would be able to look up your child's name, their experience level and where they are at, and place them in the appropriate class, quickly & easily.
Well, I find it hard to believe no one has an opinion about swimming lessons. Are you NOT interested in lessons? Why not?
We need to know when is the best time for your lessons, when is the worst. Are you interested at all? Please let us know. We would love to be able to hold sign-ups, but maybe it won't go well with your schedule. Don't wish you had spoken up. SPEAK UP!
As in a previous post, we expect to provide you with outstanding service in way of lessons. I am not promising your child will be in the next Olympics, but we will try our hardest to get them, to progress. Our long-term goal is to be able to track children - basically when you check in with us next summer, we would be able to look up your child's name, their experience level and where they are at, and place them in the appropriate class, quickly & easily.
Well, I find it hard to believe no one has an opinion about swimming lessons. Are you NOT interested in lessons? Why not?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Where We Teach
We are currently planning on hosting swim lessons at the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center in Beech Grove.
While private lessons will continue to be held there without a problem, we are searching for times when we can have the group lessons. This is why YOUR FEEDBACK is so IMPORTANT!
So let me tell you about the Benedict Inn pool. It is usually used as a therapy pool. There are aerobics & arthritis classes, open adult swim, lap swim only and family swim times.
The family swim times are only on Friday from 6-8pm, and Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm. It can be rented out for parties and swim teams, and even therapy sessions.
This is why it is so difficult to find a good time for out lessons. Over the summer, the YMCA program is held in the gym, and they swim 2 or 3 days each week, & there are two other groups that have the pool reserved with a semi-permanent time.
Anyway, even you do not sign-up for lessons, it is a great place for the family to swim together. Or if you are wanting a workout or need to just get out of the house, it is a wonderful environment.
The water is incredibly warm (thank you therapy!), and the people are very nice. If you are unsure about your swimming technique, try asking the guard - most are or were swimmers in high school, so they know what they are talking about.
Check it out. Maybe you can have a summer style party in the middle of winter!
Do you know of any pools in the area that may be open to hosting group swim lessons?
While private lessons will continue to be held there without a problem, we are searching for times when we can have the group lessons. This is why YOUR FEEDBACK is so IMPORTANT!
So let me tell you about the Benedict Inn pool. It is usually used as a therapy pool. There are aerobics & arthritis classes, open adult swim, lap swim only and family swim times.
The family swim times are only on Friday from 6-8pm, and Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm. It can be rented out for parties and swim teams, and even therapy sessions.
This is why it is so difficult to find a good time for out lessons. Over the summer, the YMCA program is held in the gym, and they swim 2 or 3 days each week, & there are two other groups that have the pool reserved with a semi-permanent time.
Anyway, even you do not sign-up for lessons, it is a great place for the family to swim together. Or if you are wanting a workout or need to just get out of the house, it is a wonderful environment.
The water is incredibly warm (thank you therapy!), and the people are very nice. If you are unsure about your swimming technique, try asking the guard - most are or were swimmers in high school, so they know what they are talking about.
Check it out. Maybe you can have a summer style party in the middle of winter!
Do you know of any pools in the area that may be open to hosting group swim lessons?
Friday, February 5, 2010
About your instructors
I have been teaching private swim lessons for many years, with wonderful results. Whether it be a beginner finally putting his face in the water, or the little girl who masters the freestyle, I love teaching swimming.
I feel very strongly about people, especially children, learning how to swim. Not only is it great exercise, but it is a skill that could possibly save a life.
Since this is a new "operation," I am really the only instructor, along with (sometimes) Deb. I guess Deb would be my mentor in this area, since she has TONS of experience, and I am just at the beginning.
Deb has taught and coached and run swim programs for decades. She has even coached a few Olympian swimmers - that is impressive!
With my desire to make this work, along with her extensive background, you can only expect the best from future instructors. We plan on training those who have no experience, and making sure those with previous experience are on the same level as we are.
In my next post I hope to have a few testimonials from those who have had lessons from Deb or myself, so you can see that I am on the level, and not making this all up in my head!
I feel very strongly about people, especially children, learning how to swim. Not only is it great exercise, but it is a skill that could possibly save a life.
Since this is a new "operation," I am really the only instructor, along with (sometimes) Deb. I guess Deb would be my mentor in this area, since she has TONS of experience, and I am just at the beginning.
Deb has taught and coached and run swim programs for decades. She has even coached a few Olympian swimmers - that is impressive!
With my desire to make this work, along with her extensive background, you can only expect the best from future instructors. We plan on training those who have no experience, and making sure those with previous experience are on the same level as we are.
In my next post I hope to have a few testimonials from those who have had lessons from Deb or myself, so you can see that I am on the level, and not making this all up in my head!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Your thoughts, please
Are you interested in learning to swim? Do you have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, great-great grand brother twice removed who wants to learn how to swim?
We NEED your feedback.
We are in the infancy stages of planning group swim lessons in the Indianapolis area. We desperately want these to work, and for this to become a program that will carry on for many, many years.
This is your chance to give your thoughts, opinions, insight & preferences. We need our help in getting this program off the ground, so it will benefit us all. If you have the slightest interest in swim lessons, GROUP or PRIVATE, please leave a response including any or all of the following:
*What days work best for you for lessons?
*What time of day works best for you for lessons?
*How far would you be willing to travel for lessons?
*If you have experienced swim lessons in the past, what were your favorite parts of them? What would you change?
Again, we want to create a swim program that people will want to be a part of for a very long time. One that they will be proud do attend, and want to share with family & friends.
Please, please, please leave us feedback.
Become a follower and get e-mail updates when a new post is published. Follow along on our journey, and be among the first to find out when you can sign up for lessons. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for information on those of us who want to teach you to swim!
We NEED your feedback.
We are in the infancy stages of planning group swim lessons in the Indianapolis area. We desperately want these to work, and for this to become a program that will carry on for many, many years.
This is your chance to give your thoughts, opinions, insight & preferences. We need our help in getting this program off the ground, so it will benefit us all. If you have the slightest interest in swim lessons, GROUP or PRIVATE, please leave a response including any or all of the following:
*What days work best for you for lessons?
*What time of day works best for you for lessons?
*How far would you be willing to travel for lessons?
*If you have experienced swim lessons in the past, what were your favorite parts of them? What would you change?
Again, we want to create a swim program that people will want to be a part of for a very long time. One that they will be proud do attend, and want to share with family & friends.
Please, please, please leave us feedback.
Become a follower and get e-mail updates when a new post is published. Follow along on our journey, and be among the first to find out when you can sign up for lessons. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for information on those of us who want to teach you to swim!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)