Private swim lessons (Madison: neighborhood, YMCA, preschool)

[juliet108]

Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who teaches private swim lessons in the Madison area? I have a 7 and 4 year old. They took a group lesson at Dublin last year. That didn't teach them anything - maybe even made them more afraid of the water.

Anyone know if the Madison YMCA has private lessons? We aren't members.

[JakeWilliams]

I would contact the UAH Fitness Center and see who they have available.

We went to UAH for many years before switching to a group lesson at the Madison YMCA. When we are ready to resume swim classes we will pay the extra money and make the longer drive to UAH.

[Southlander]

A lot of times lessons are given at country clubs, and you don't have to be a member to take the lessons. Same for some of the neighborhood pools. My mom would sign us up for lessons with Red Cross, and they were given at municipal pools, but that was back when we had to light fires around the pool to keep the dinosaurs away.

[juliet108]

Originally Posted by JakeWilliams

I would contact the UAH Fitness Center and see who they have available.

We went to UAH for many years before switching to a group lesson at the Madison YMCA. When we are ready to resume swim classes we will pay the extra money and make the longer drive to UAH.

JakeWilliams - Thanks for the info. I didn't think to check there.

Are there any particular instructors at UAH to ask for or any to avoid?

[ericacamp2]

Can you say why you didn't like the Dublin lessons? I was thinking about signing my kids up for them. I have a 18 month old and a 4 year old.

[RocketCityMama]

Here are some I know of off hand that offer private lessons, I've not used them, so I can't say how they are.

Dolphin Aquatics

Sherwood Swim Club

[JakeWilliams]

Originally Posted by juliet108

JakeWilliams - Thanks for the info. I didn't think to check there.

Are there any particular instructors at UAH to ask for or any to avoid?

We only did group classes, never any individual ones, so I'm not sure who all has private lessons.

For group lessons, we (me, my wife, and my kids) LOVED Wayne. I assume he is still there, he had been for about 6 years.

There was one instructor who taught the preschool classes (where you 4 year old would be) that we weren't too fond of, but that's because she tended to be more laid back and we liked a more structured approach. She was good with the kids, we just didn't think that she taught them or pushed them enough. Your kids definitely won't get more scared with any of the instructors there, and they will get enough attention with the group lessons (especially if it's not over the summer, when the class sizes swell).

Any other specific questions you can DM me too.

Jake

[Madmom2000]

The Y offers both private and group swim lessons. Right now, during this time of the year, there are only a few kids in the group lessons. They'll be full by May but right now you get a lot of attention for a great value. The Y also has a new aquatics director so things are flowing much more smoothly. I would encourage you to give the Y another try. :-)

[juliet108]

Originally Posted by ericacamp2

Can you say why you didn't like the Dublin lessons? I was thinking about signing my kids up for them. I have a 18 month old and a 4 year old.

I had both my kids in the same Level 1 class last year. The youngest had just turned 3 and the other was 5. (They had to be 3 to sign up.) The class was full. There were about 12 kids in the class with 2 instructors. The first thing they did was go down the line and dunk the kids in the water. Then they just sat on the wall waiting for their turn with an instructor to hold them up while they awkwardly kicked or did arm strokes. Then they'd go to the deep end and let them jump off the side if they wanted. All the kids were around that age and none of them were anywhere near swimming at the end of the class.
My oldest was already scared to death of the water. She can't even stand to get water splashed near her face in the bath. The little one wasn't previously scared of the water, but if big sister gets upset - he gets upset too. By the end of the week, my kids were begging not to go. We had to tell the instructors not to dunk them so they'd at least go and do the other stuff.
We just need a more gentle approach to getting comfortable with the water. =)

[pamnbam]

Currently we're doing the Y and my son loves it! I do have the name of a former swim team captain, etc. who was very good to me this past summer. You do have to provide the pool, and her rates were reasonable. Feel free to message me for her name and number.