+ During the cooler months, how warm does my pool need to be? Do you have recommendations for Wet Suits?
In the cooler months in South Florida (October - April), it is necessary to regularly monitor your pool's temperature. To ensure your child’s health, safety, and comfort, the pool temperature should be at least 85 degrees (or 88 degrees for swimmers under 2 years old, since they are less capable of regulating body temperature and are at a higher risk for hypothermia).
+ Do you have recommendations for Wet Suits to use during the cooler months?
Wetsuits are strongly encouraged during the cooler months, as a wetsuit with at least 2mm thickness can add 5-10 degrees of insulation. A coach may provide a wetsuit to use during the lesson upon request, but if preferred, you may also invest in your own! Here are a list of recommendations:
Recommended Brands include O’Neill, Neoprene. Note: Swim Express is not sponsored by or affiliated with these brands.
+ How many lessons will it take for my child to start swimming?
The answer to this question is not clear-cut because it depends on a variety of factors: How do you define “swimming”? How old is your child and how motivated are they to learn? How much practice are they getting outside of swim lessons? Are they taking group lessons or private lessons (and which type of lesson would benefit your child’s personality the most)?
First and foremost, our mission at Swim Express is to help you meet your goals—those goals may include drowning prevention and survival skills (what we would call “making it to the wall”), swimming independently (ie. having a horizontal body while swimming, learning to breathe, going underwater, kicking, etc.), getting into technique and swim styles (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke alternate breathing, etc.), and/or training for competition and swim team. Once you determine what your goals are, we can do our best to set up a schedule that is personalized for your swimmer’s needs in order to meet those goals at a pace that works for your family.
On an additional note, like most other skills, “swimming” is a spectrum that builds on itself the more that one grows and learns. We like to say, “Time in the water is never wasted.” Frequency is perhaps the most important factor in how quickly your swimmer learns—not just frequency in terms of lessons, but in how often they can get in the pool throughout the week to practice their budding skills.
+ What is the difference between Swim Classes and group lessons?
Swim Classes consist of 2-3 swimmers and are pre-scheduled by the Swim Express Office and may be available at the Heron Bay, MiraLago, Cascata, and Parkland Golf & Country Club Clubhouse pools in Parkland; any swimmer at the appropriate swim level may join through the online scheduler.
Swim Together Groups consist of 2-3 swimmers and are arranged by one parent, who submits one schedule request on behalf of the group through the online scheduler.
+ Can we have a session that is longer than 30 minutes?
Schedule permitting, we offer 15-minute “add-on” swim passes to a private lesson (before or after the lesson). These passes are half the price of a standard 30-minute session and they can be used to extend the session to 45 minutes or offer a short session to another swimmer (sibling, adult swimmer, etc.). To have an hour-long session, you may also book two back-to-back private lessons.
+ My kids are at different swim levels, but I would like them to be in a group lesson. Is this possible?
Yes! In a circumstance like this, it is most beneficial for each swimmer to get 15 minutes of focused instruction from the coach (thus “splitting” the lesson), but it would still be considered a “Swim Together Group” because they are both receiving instruction within that 30-minute time slot. Alternatively, you may also look into having an add-on session (a shorter session before or after—see above).
+ Can we have a Swim Together Group with inexperienced swimmers (i.e. in the Gradual Track)?
Yes, but for swim safety purposes, the coach will either have to work with one child at a time or the parent will need to be in the water to assist the coach.
+ Do you offer lessons for adults?
Yes! We teach swimmers of all ages. An adult can certainly have weekly swim lessons (private or group with other adults), or lessons here and there as needed.
We also offer Swim Expressercize, which is water aerobics instruction to adults. Private water aerobics groups may be scheduled upon request. Click here for more information on Swim Expressercize.
+ How do I use the online scheduler?
Please consult the guide under topic 2.
+ Where is my pool located according to the online scheduler?
These are the areas represented in the scheduler:
- Miralago, Cascata, Heron Bay, Parkland Golf & Country Club, Seven Bridges - Communities in Parkland & Delray Beach (Clubhouse Pools)
- North West Broward - Parkland, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek
- North East Broward - Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach
- South East Broward - Fort Lauderdale Region
- Boca Raton West - West of Jog Road; South of Clint Moore Road
- Boca Raton East - East of Jog Road; South of Clint Moore Road
- Delray Beach Southeast - East of Jog Road; South of Atlantic Ave
- Delray Beach Southwest - West of Jog Road; South of Atlantic Ave
- Currently Out of Service Area - Weston, Plantation, Southwest Ranches, Davie
+ How far in advance can I schedule a session?
We schedule sessions two seasons at a time (Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter), so you may schedule sessions up to the end of the current swim season using the online scheduler. Our scheduling staff begin planning for the next swim seasons two months in advance. Seasonal Passholders can pre-book for the next swim season.
Click here to view our Swim Season Schedule.
The specific dates change every year; click here for more information.
+ What happens to my lesson if there is inclement weather?
Our coaches monitor the weather closely. Your instructor will contact you if he/she chooses to cancel a lesson due to inclement weather. Such a cancellation will not count against you, and you will be able to utilize the swim pass at a later date.
For more information regarding inclement weather as well as cold weather and pool temperatures, please refer to our policy.
+ If I have to cancel last-minute, what should I do?
Please cancel via the Client Portal or the Achieve App (available through the App Store or google play). For more information about last-minute cancellations (late cancellations, no-show’s, etc.), please view the policy.
+ Do you accept the Water SMART Broward coupon?
Unfortunately, we do not meet the facility requirements to be able to accept the Water SMART Broward coupon. Since our coaches only travel to your pool location, we are unable to fulfill the Swim Central requirement for the county.
+ How do you prevent illness from spreading?
We at Swim Express are looking out for the safety and wellbeing of our swimmers and coaches. We do our best to achieve a balance between protecting our coaches and swimmers by providing avenues for good health and swim safety (i.e. drowning prevention). Sun exposure and exercise are essential for vitamin D, cardiovascular health, and mental wellbeing. Thankfully, the chlorination of pools serves as a disinfectant that kills viruses and bacteria; additionally, since swim lessons are outside (i.e. not in an enclosed space), the chance of spreading illness decreases. Swim Express takes measures to maintain cleanliness. In addition to chlorine and sun exposure, the coaches disinfect teaching equipment daily. If you prefer to use your own toys at your home pool, please wash them with soap and water prior to the lesson.
