What is Shark School?
Shark School is our program to help your new swimmer transition from swim lessons to swim team. It’s a GREAT introduction to summer swimming and is a whole lot of fun too. We’ve divided Shark School into two age groups: 4-5 year olds and 6&up. The instructor-to-swimmer ratio will vary for each group, and every child gets personal attention and instruction from swim teachers in the water with them.
We group the kids according to skill level, so non-swimmers get a great start and partial swimmers can keep moving forward. Your swimmer will build up the strength and endurance to swim the length of the pool (or even laps). We will introduce diving and lateral breathing with the freestyle stroke and spend a bit of time on breaststroke and butterfly – all in an encouraging and pressure-free environment with no meet competitions. Once your child (age 5 and up) can complete a swim test, he or she can move up to the team if you want!
Due to our very tight ratio of instructors to students, your family must choose either the morning or evening program for shark school. If you need to switch on a particular day, just let us know!
Visit https://gulfpark.swimtopia.com/shark-school for schedule, pricing, and other details!
What do I need to bring?
– Swimsuit
– Towel
– Goggles (optional)
– Small toy (optional – great ice breaker and bonding)
We will provide kickboards that are used in lessons. We don’t use “swimmies” or other such wearable floatation aids in swim lessons. It’s often best to not even bring them along to the lesson. If your child is “addicted” to swimmies, bring them but be sure to explain that swimmies help you float but kickboards help you swim FAST, so we use kickboards!
Also you can let your child pick out a small toy to bring to the lessons to show their swim teacher. We’ve got a little time built into each lesson for this chance to bond.
How do I prepare my child for lessons
It’s so helpful if you practice “swimming” at bath time. Pour water over their head and then teach them to put their face in the water, blow bubbles, and back float. Water is fun! Say – “Wouldn’t it be fun to show your teacher this skill at swim tomorrow?!”
What if my child cries?
Let’s face it, sometimes kids cry. It’s important to stay calm and stick with it. Don’t stop swim lessons if your child cries. Remember that swim lessons are a life-saving skill and just as important as wearing a seatbelt.
If you feel uneasy or anxious watching your little one cry, then your swimmer may pick up on that. Try to remain calm. Sit in a lounge chair and read a book or magazine, look up and smile from the sidelines to your little swimmer. If your child constantly looks at you instead of their teacher, consider moving under the pavilion or to the far side of the pool, so that your swimmer can focus on the lesson.
Remind yourself that soon they will be more comfortable with their instructor and in the water and won’t have those tears. And then, your child will begin to enjoy swim lessons and gain confidence in the water. After all, that’s why you’re here!
If your child just isn’t having it and the crying is becoming a distraction to other children, we can speak privately about alternatives, but we will do everything we can to help them enjoy their time in the water!
