Questions about our classes, programs, or swimming in general? Below you’ll find the answers you’re looking for.
How do continuous swim lessons work?
You find a day and time that has the class that you need and you register in that class. That is your day and time until you decide to take a break, you move to another day and time, your student moves up a level, or the School year or Summer schedules come to an end. SwimWest has a School Year schedule and a Summer schedule, allowing for year round, continuous lessons. To attend lessons year round, enroll for a School Year schedule class and enroll for a Summer schedule class.
What are the benefits of continuous enrollment?
Students learn better with consistency thus promoting constant progress. Swimmers can enroll at any time throughout the year. SwimWest has a School Year schedule and a Summer schedule to allow for families who need to change schedules over the summer months. Continuous enrollment is budget friendly. Rather than paying tuition for several months at a time, families will be enrolled in monthly billing.
What happens when a swimmer is ready to advance a level?
Students will receive a level completion ribbon once they master all of the required skills of that level.
Following a level completion, please contact the front desk to schedule your child in his or her new level.
If there is no opening available at your current class time, we will work with you to find a new time that fits your schedule.
If there is not an opening in their new level at a convenient time, the student can be put on a waitlist for an ideal time. In the meantime, they will begin working on the next level set of skills in his or her current class.
How long does my child stay enrolled?
Continuous enrollment means that your child will stay enrolled in their class day and time until they move up a level, you need to make a change, or the School Year or Summer schedule come to an end. To attend lessons year round, you must enroll for a School Year schedule class and a Summer schedule class. School Year schedules start after Labor Day and end typically after the first week of June. Summer schedules start the second week of June and end the week before Labor Day.
How do we make a change? Can we change class times?
You can transfer to a different class at any time. You do not need to provide advanced notice. Ask the front desk for assistance.
If you wish to take a break from lessons, a withdrawal form must be completed a minimum of 30 days prior to the day you would like to discontinue.
No refunds will be given for cancelling with less than a 30 day notice.
How do I un-enroll or drop from lessons?
If you wish to take a break from lessons, a withdrawal form must be completed a minimum of 30 days prior to the day you would like to discontinue. The forms are available HERE.
Refunds will not be issued.
You can transfer to a different class at any time. You do not need to provide advanced notice.
What is the price of lessons?
For levels 2-9 the price is $26.50 per lesson.
Level 1 is $23.53 per lesson.
Do we get a discount if we have multiple students enrolled?
Immediate family with 2 enrolled swimmers will get a discount of $1 off each per lesson. Families with 3 or more children enrolled will get a discount of $2 off each per lesson.
How are we billed?
When you register, you pay for the classes remaining in the current month and then you are charged monthly on the first day of each month.
How are we billed for partial months?
We do pro-rate tuition for partial months. If you start in the middle of a month you are charged for the days left in that month. If you leave in the middle of the month you pay for the classes you are enrolled for. If SwimWest is closed for a holiday you will receive a make-up for that specific class.
What is the makeup policy?
All absences must be reported to SwimWest ahead of the missed class to qualify for a makeup lesson. When we are aware of absence ahead of time, we can offer more availability to families for scheduling makeups.
Due to our rapidly changing enrollment, we can only schedule makeup lessons no more than one day prior of the scheduled makeup class. Calling the day before you wish to schedule your makeup lesson or the day of, ensures you will be offered the most current availability and will greatly reduce the chance your makeup lesson might need to be rescheduled due to a new enrollment.
An unexcused absences is when you failed to notify SwimWest before the absence occurred. All unexcused absences will be eligible for a family swim pass.
Excused absences, if preferred are welcome to receive a family swim pass instead of a makeup lesson.
Makeup lessons are not guaranteed, but are based on availability. We encourage you to attend lessons regularly to encourage your child's progress.
With continuous enrollment, make-up lessons must be completed within the current session.
Do you offer Open Family Swim and Lap Swim times?
What is the water temperature?
Our indoor pools are kept at 89-90° year-round.
How do children stand in the water?
We have specially designed platforms that the children stand on while they are waiting to take their turns. These platforms make the water depth about two (2) feet. Our Fitchburg location has built-in stair stations for each lower-level class.
What if my child is scared or crying?
If your child is nervous or crying, please take a moment to chat with the instructor and then let him/her work with your child. Some children may suffer from separation anxiety, and this will go away as soon as the child gets to know and trust the instructor. A fear of new places may also cause a few tears, and this will also go away with time. Being afraid of the water is not uncommon in younger beginners, but the instructor will compassionately help your child adjust to the water through games, songs and basic skills. With time, your child will be happy and successful in the water. Please be patient and allow the instructors and staff to work their magic with your child.
When should my child stop taking swimming lessons?
This really depends on you and your child's goals. SwimWest is geared to take children from 6 months all the way up to recreational swim team. We love to see our swimmers move on and compete in our achievement swims and stroke clinics. Many of our swimmers compete in local, outdoor pool swim teams and high school teams. We build a love of the water in our students.
How long do classes run?
For classes that focus on water acclimation, introduction to skills, safety and strokes, 30 minutes is the right amount of time to keep your child interested, focused, and happy in the pool. (Our Stealth Team meets for 60 minutes).
What can I do to make my child comfortable in the water?
Let the instructor do most of the teaching. Children learn from repetition and fun. Bath time is another good time to play with skills and have fun in the water. Practice floating or blowing bubbles and kicking your legs in the tub or pool. More homework tips can be found by clicking here.
Can my child swim more than once a week?
Of course! The more a child is exposed to the water the faster they will learn to swim. Just be sure not to over do it. Children need all kinds of activities to stimulate their minds and bodies.
Does SwimWest hold lessons during bad weather?
Our westside location of SwimWest will still hold lessons during rain and thunderstorms because there are no outside windows. Our Fitchburg location has several windows in the pool area and must suspend lessons during cloud-to-ground lightning, but lessons usually resume within a short amount of time. We will extend your lesson time or offer a make-up lesson if this happens.
During bad snowstorms, we will make a decision on whether or not to hold classes. All lessons will depend on driving conditions. If you feel it is not safe to come to lessons, we can issue a one-time Family Swim Pass for your missed lesson. We will cancel classes via email, voicemail, Facebook, and our website. Since we cannot control the weather, SwimWest cannot guarantee make up lessons for inclement weather.
What number do I call for status of the day.
Please call our customer service at (608) 831-6829 or (608) 276-7946 if you have questions about our status for the day.
Where are parents able to watch lessons?
We encourage all parents to watch their children swim! Parents and siblings can watch lessons from our observation area. If you remove your shoes, you are welcome to watch lessons on deck as well. No shoes are allowed on the pool deck in order to keep our floor and pool water clean.
Do you have a Lost and Found?
SwimWest has a Lost and Found for all those items you might leave behind. All items found throughout the day or in the locker room at the end of the night will be put in our Lost and Found. We cannot hold items at the front desk. If you find an unclaimed item, please put it in the Lost and Found. All lost and found items are donated on the first of each month to a local charity.
What is a Deck Manager?
A Deck Manager is available to answer your questions regarding your child’s progress, a technique we are using in swim lessons, or any other questions you might have. They will educate you on lesson progression and practice activities. They evaluate your student and hand out ribbons as children pass skills in their level. We encourage you to speak with the Deck Manager at anytime.
Do I need to bring my own lock for the lockers?
Anyone using the lockers is responsible for bringing their own lock. You cannot keep your lock on a specific locker any longer than when you are in the facility. Please remember that SwimWest is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
What if my child is not potty-trained?
All children 36 months and younger need to wear 2 reusable swim diapers at the same time. Disposable swim diapers (such as "Lil’ Swimmers") are not allowed in our pool. The cotton inside those diapers leaks out and clogs our pool filters. Our reusable diapers have a tighter fit which helps to avoid "accidents" in our pool.
Where can I change and shower my child?
For your convenience, our west side location has family rinse showers on deck and family changing rooms with additional changing stalls on deck and in the observation room. Our Fitchburg location has an area with family changing rooms and rinse showers for your convenience.
Do Adult lesson participants need to wear goggles and a swim cap?
We do require all swimmers wear a swim cap to aid in keeping our pool cleaner. Goggles are optional and available to borrow at SwimWest. In addition, caps and goggles are also available for purchase at SwimWest.
What type of apparel is appropriate for Adult swim lessons?
SwimWest has no restrictions on the type of swim apparel. However we ask that it is appropriate for our family orientated facility.
What should one expect at a first swim lesson for the Adult lesson levels?
During your first class, your instructor will ask you exactly what you are hoping to gain from the class, whether that be comfort, stroke refinement, or training for an event.
Are they Adult swim lesson class sizes the same as SwimWest’s children lessons?
Yes, SwimWest keeps them maxed out at 3 swimmers per instructor as we do for most of our swim levels at SwimWest.
For Adult lessons, how does an instructor deal with a beginner Adult swimmer vs. a recreational Adult swimmer?
The swim instructor will rotate through each swimmer, giving each swimmer independent tasks to work on.
How do I check my child’s skills for their swim class?
You may check your student's skill progression through our Parent Portal. After our deck manager evaluates your swimmer, our customer service staff will update your student's skills and send an email notification to you. You may also inquire at any time about your child's swimming progress by speaking with our customer service staff.
What can I find in the Parent Portal?
Through our Parent Portal, you may update your contact and billing information, enroll for lessons, review your tuition fees and view your children's skills. Click here to access our Parent Portal now.