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What is your philosophy?
We embody the Aloha Spirit. Sure, Aloha means, “hello,” and sometimes
even, “goodbye.” But there is so much more to it than that: It’s a way
of life. It’s an attitude of friendly acceptance, a way to resolve any
problem and accomplish any goal… through sharing. Group lessons are
wonderful, but the “cookie cutter” approach doesn’t work for all
children. Big Fish Swim School honors every person’s individuality and
ensures that each customer receives special attention. With our
one-on-one approach, we will get your child excited about swimming
lessons with stimulating games, toys, and analogies specifically
designed to improve your child’s swimming performance.
The Spirit of Aloha…the Spirit of BIG FISH Swim School.
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Why should I choose private lessons over group?
There are many advantages to Private lessons. Here are a few:
1. The average group class size is 5 children. In a 30 minute
class, that means your child will get only 6 minutes of personal
time with the instructor.
2. In a group setting the children that need the most help often
get the most attention. While many instructors do a good job, most
group instructors tend to neglect the more skilled swimmers.
3. Group lessons have a set goal, whether it is to have a child
put his/her face in the water or swim the width of the pool. Private
lessons are conducted with YOUR goals in mind. Some goals of other
students who have swam with the Big Fish have been: to pass a swim
test at summer camp, to swim in their first triathlon, pass a
pre-employment test, survival skills, using clothing as flotation
device, and simply to be able to enjoy the water with the entire
family.
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How soon should I expose my child to the water?
At Big Fish Swim School we believe that the sooner a person learns to
swim, the better off they are. In the survival swim lessons, we start as
young as 6 months old. Since you have inquired about stroke development
lessons, no survival information is included in this letter. Once a
child is of preschool age (4 years old) they are ready for lessons on
their own because of advanced motor skill development and maturity
level.
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Is my two year old ready for stroke lessons?
At four years old most children are already accustomed to being away
from their parents for an extended period of time. It has been our
experience that any time you try to part a child whom is less than three
years old from his/her parents, there is a great deal of separation
anxiety that begins to interfere with the lessons. If your child has
completed a survival swimming program and can demonstrate a
swim-float-swim they are ready for stroke lessons.
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Where are classes held?
· During the summer months (May
through September) we teach in the South West Orlando
Area (Metro West/Stoney Brooke West) at an outdoor facility
and in Gainesville we teach at DB Racquet Club in NW Gainesville.
· Lessons at your home, for
those shy students, parents with a lot on their plates,
or the neighborhood playtime group are available for your
convenience.
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Do you teach adults?
No matter how old you are it is never too late to learn to swim.
Adults who feel that they would be difficult students often don’t give
themselves enough credit. Adults, in many respects, are easier to teach
than children for a few reasons:
1. Adults are good listeners. If you tell an adult to do X, Y,
and Z – they do it.
2. Adults understand that the instructor is there to help you on
your journey into the wonderful world of swimming. They can
rationalize that, because he is the instructor, he is bestowed with
knowledge that the student desires and knows that the instructor
will never put them in danger. For children, that is something they
must figure out on their own.
To date, our oldest student has been 77 years old and we are always
looking to set a new record!
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Do you teach in the evenings?
Big Fish offers early evening lessons and some Saturdays at all
locations.
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Do you teach group lessons?
Our specialty is giving your child the personal attention they
deserve through private instruction. However, if you know of other
children that are within one year of your child and of similar abilities
who would like to swim together we will be happy to design a group class
(up to 4 children) to accommodate you.
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My child just went through a survival swim program. What is the next
step?
Putting your child in group lessons after a one-on-one
survival swim program could lead to disaster. They may pick up bad
habits from the other children such as swimming with their head up
(which leads to a vertical body position) and the instructors are often
unprepared for the advanced skills that survival swimmers possess. Our
suggestion at Big Fish Swim School is that you continue with private
swim lessons. After their “roll over breathing” the next step is stroke
proficiency which can be taught here at Big Fish.
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How do I know if my child is ready for stroke work?
If he/she is becoming more daring such as attempting to swim a half
circle around the steps of the pool, it is time. If your child lifts
his/her head to breathe while swimming, it is time. If they are already
doing the “doggie paddle” you should enroll them before they continue
this potentially bad habit.
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I am about to do my first triathlon. Can Big Fish Swim School help
me?
We understand the importance of the proper training for such an
event. Throughout the year we hold triathlon training camps which are
usually held on 4 consecutive Saturday mornings. The lessons would start
off in a pool and end up in at least one practical lake swim. The ratio
is 6 students per instructor. If you are not comfortable with groups you
may schedule private classes.
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What are your certifications?
All of the instructors at Big Fish Swim School hold certifications
through nationally recognized organizations such as (but are not limited
to) the American Red Cross and the YMCA. In addition, all instructors
are certified in CPR as well as First Aid.
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What
is the cost of the stroke work?
Since the lessons are customized
to the individual needs of the student the quantity of
lessons needed is different for every person. However,
for easier comparison shopping, there is a $40 registration
fee and 8 private lessons (each lesson is 30 minutes long)
costs $235. For an instructor to come to your home the
tuition is $360.
Group stroke lessons are available at the Stoney Brooke
West facility. Group of 5 students: 8 lessons for $115
per student.
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