Frequently Asked Questions
About Swimmingly
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I’ve been teaching for almost 25 years. You can learn more about my background here.
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Yes. I hold CPR and first aid certifications. I am also a former lifeguard and water safety instructor with the American Red Cross. You can read more about my background here.
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Swimmingly is built on individualized instruction, developmental awareness, and genuine connection. With almost 25 years of experience and a background in teaching swimmers of all abilities — including special needs and sensory-sensitive students — I meet each child exactly where they are.
I focus on building confidence first, then skill. Every lesson is structured, but never rigid. Supportive, patient, and intentional — so swimmers feel safe, capable, and proud of their progress. See more about my philosophy here
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I believe in individualized instruction, gradual progress, and creating a positive learning experience. My goal is not just to teach swimming skills but to foster a love for swimming. You can read more about my teaching philosophy here.
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Yes—safety is always my top priority.
I maintain constant, attentive supervision during every lesson and follow strict safety guidelines at all times.I’m highly aware of each swimmer’s abilities and comfort level, and I adjust lessons accordingly to keep them both safe and confident in the water.
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I offer lessons in South West Florida, mainly north port, charlotte, nokomis, and venice. Surround areas include including Osprey, Punta Gorda, and Sarasota at higher rates. If you live outside of this area, I am open to discussing options. Please contact me to discuss.
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Yes, absolutely! You can read some of my reviews here. References are also available upon request.
Student Information
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I offer swim lessons for individuals of all ages, starting as young as 1 years old to adults. My lessons are tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each age group. See more lesson info here
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Most children benefit from starting swim lessons around ages 3–5.
At this stage, they’re typically ready to listen, learn, and build confidence in the water.However, there’s no “perfect” age—some start earlier, some later. What matters most is that your child feels comfortable and ready.
I meet each swimmer where they are and build skills at a pace that feels safe and encouraging. Read more about lesson info here.
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Yes—this is very common, and something I work with often.
I take a calm, patient approach and focus on building trust first. I never force skills before a child is ready. As comfort grows, confidence and skills follow naturally.
Each lesson is tailored to your child’s pace, creating a positive and supportive experience in the water.
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Absolutely. I have experience working with children with a variety of needs, including sensory sensitivities and different learning styles.
Every lesson is adjusted to your child—how they learn, what they’re comfortable with, and the pace they need.
I focus on creating a calm, supportive environment where your child can feel safe, understood, and successful in the water.
I’m always happy to discuss your child’s specific needs ahead of time to ensure the best possible experience.
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I start with a quick phone call before lessons begin.
This allows me to learn about your swimmer’s current ability, comfort level, and goals. It also gives you a chance to ask questions and get a feel for my approach.
From there, I build a lesson plan that’s tailored specifically to your swimmer’s needs.
Lesson Information
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Most lessons are 30 minutes, with options for 45 or 60 minutes if needed.
For younger swimmers, 30 minutes is usually the best fit—it keeps them focused, engaged, and successful.
Older or more advanced swimmers may benefit from longer lessons to build skills and endurance.
If your goal is faster progress, twice-weekly lessons are often more effective than longer sessions. Learn more about lessons here
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very lesson is personalized to your swimmer and where they are in their journey.
We usually start by getting comfortable in the water, then move into skill-building like floating, breath control, and swimming techniques. As confidence grows, we build on those skills each week.
Lessons are supportive, encouraging, and focused on helping your swimmer feel safe while making real progress.
No two lessons are exactly the same—each one is built around your swimmer’s progress.
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Swimmers should wear appropriate swimwear, such as a swimsuit or swim trunks. Rashguards protect students from the sun, temps, and wind. Goggles are optional but can be helpful, especially for those who are more sensitive to water. Don't forget to bring a towel and any necessary personal items.
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I am very flexible on location to make lessons convenient for you. I’m happy to come to any home or local pool within my teaching area. There are also a few public pools I can suggest if that would be helpful.
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Yes! I offer small group lessons for up to four swimmers who are at a similar skill level.
I also offer back-to-back lesson options for siblings or family members, allowing each swimmer to have their own individualized time while still keeping scheduling convenient.
Feel free to reach out to discuss what option would work best for your family.
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Yes! I offer toddler lessons designed specifically for younger swimmers.
Lessons are typically 30 minutes and are structured around your child’s individual comfort level and readiness. They include a combination of parent involvement, water safety, and early skill-building.
The focus is on creating a positive, safe introduction to the water while building confidence and foundational skills.
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Yes! I work with adult swimmers of all levels—from those who are just learning to feel comfortable in the water to those looking to improve technique or train for specific goals like a triathlon.
Lessons are fully individualized and tailored to your experience level, comfort, and goals.
Whether you’re overcoming fear or refining skills, I provide a supportive, no-pressure environment to help you progress with confidence.
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Yes! I offer accelerated lesson options for families looking to make faster progress.
These typically involve multiple lessons per week over a shorter period of time, allowing swimmers to build skills and confidence more quickly through consistency and repetition.
Accelerated programs are customized based on your swimmer’s needs and goals.
Let’s Get Started
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Getting started is easy! Simply reach out to us through our contact information form provided on the website. We'll be happy to discuss your goals, assess your needs, and help you schedule your first lesson.
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Lessons start at $50.
I offer package pricing with built-in savings, including discounted rates for multiple lessons, siblings, and small group options.
Packages are a great way to stay consistent and see the best progress while also getting the most value.
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I accept payment through the Swuare app, as well as cash, Venmo, or Zelle.
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Payment can be made per lesson after each session, or in advance through a lesson package.
Packages provide the best value and help secure a consistent, priority time in the schedule.
Weekly lesson options are available for families looking to maintain a regular routine and steady progress. Consistency plays a big role in progress, so many families choose a regular weekly schedule.
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I understand emergencies happen. Cancellations should be made with advance notice whenever possible. Repeated last-minute cancellations may result in forfeiting your scheduled time or additional fees.
Make-up lessons are offered when availability allows but are not guaranteed.
Consistent attendance is important to maintain progress and your scheduled time.
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Safety is always my top priority. Lessons will be canceled if conditions are unsafe, including when lightning is within a close range.
Due to Florida’s frequent and unpredictable storms, some lesson times may be more affected than others. There may be times when a lesson is canceled out of caution, even if the weather clears shortly after.
I use my best judgment when making weather-related decisions. Make-up lessons will be provided when cancellations are weather-related. Maintaining a consistent schedule helps ensure the best progress for your swimmer.
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Yes! I love celebrating progress and keeping swimmers motivated.
I offer a simple rewards program where swimmers can earn incentives for consistency, effort, and reaching milestones.
It’s a fun way to build confidence and keep lessons exciting.
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Yes! Consistency plays a big role in progress, so I offer incentives for swimmers who maintain regular lesson schedules.
Consistent swimmers often see faster improvement, and this program is designed to support and reward that commitment.
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I understand that occasional changes are sometimes necessary. However, frequent cancellations or rescheduling can impact both progress and scheduling availability.
In these cases, discounted rates, package benefits, or priority scheduling may be adjusted or removed.
Maintaining a consistent schedule helps ensure the best results and allows me to offer these benefits to families who are able to commit to regular lessons.