First and foremost, our Survival Aquatic programs are gentle. They are modernized and leveled 1:1 private lessons, gently honing each child’s ability to learn a survival skill-set. Infants first learn to hold their breath underwater. Next, they learn to float on their backs. Then they learn to rotate from a face-down position to a face-up back-float. Children who are walking learn to “settle” and hold their breath underwater and then propel for a short distance on their tummies by kicking their feet. They learn to roll over and float on their backs to breathe, then flip back onto their tummies and swim again: “Settle.Spin.Swim.Survive.™” Once children acquire their skills, instructors test them in clothes to better prepare them for unexpected falls into the water.

Survival Aquatics programs are 1:1, 4 days per week (M-Th) for 4-6 weeks. Lessons are 10 minutes long. Each swim lesson builds upon the previous day’s lesson, so there is measurable progress each week.

Many kids are “swimming” after only a few lessons. A complete course of private lessons typically requires 4-6 weeks. Every child is different. We generally see non-walkers complete the program in 4-5 weeks and walkers 5-6 weeks. When complete, your child will evolve from being completely helpless to being confident and capable of saving his or her own life in weeks.

We believe it’s different & better in many aspects. We offer a more modernized model – with multiple levels (and less of a one-size-fits-all approach) – and in a much more “gentle” manner. We do not compare and contrast as we believe any mode that helps children survive is beneficial to parents and society. Our model is based on Progression. Within the same facility and with the same expert instructors, our Survival Aquatics program progresses into SwimFun Bridge and then eventually into SwimFun Academy. Other programs, such as ISR, are generally a “one and done” program in a backyard pool. We feel an environment that is regulated by the Florida Department of Health, that is weather agnostic and free from weather-induced cancellations, creates a safe and continuous learning experience.

Swimming and floating are motor skills that can be taught to a baby through repetitive exercises, along with gentle verbal encouragement. We show the babies what we want them to do, and over a short period of time, they learn the skills necessary to survive. Our program is gentle and proven.

Even though you can’t put a price on water safety, we ensure our programs are fairly priced. The average cost for swim lessons nationally is $40 per lesson. In Florida, the average cost per lesson is $38. On the First Coast, the average cost is $36. At SwimFun, our Survival Aquatic & Academy programs are all below the local threshold, while also offering a best-in-class facility for parents, siblings and students with a full gaming arena, water temperature near 90 degrees and an indoor facility free from all outside elements (heat, cold, rain, lightening etc.).

SwimFun’s Survival Aquatics Program continues to be the safest, most effective learn to swim program available. Our staff is constantly refining, studying and learning to stay on the cutting edge of Survival Aquatics. We have modernized and leveled an infant swim survival program, that is then connected to multiple progression programs, that continues to be unmatched in the industry.

Once a child is crawling, usually between 6 months and 8 months, they can learn to swim for fun and roll to a safe, balanced, secure float for safety. Once a child begins to crawl, they are at risk of finding an unguarded body of water and falling in. If they have learned how to behave in the water, they will roll to a float and calmly await rescue. Once a child is walking, usually between 12 months and 18 months, the swimmer can learn to Settle. Spin. Swim. Survive™. A toddler can swim in the proper head down posture, with feet kicking at the surface, roll to a balanced float to rest and breathe, then flip back over to swim to safety. With practice, they can swim longer distances using the Settle. Spin. Swim. Survive.™ sequence. Once a child is two or three years old, depending how early they began their aquatic education, they can begin Stroke Progression. Small children can easily learn to backstroke from the balanced backfloat. Side breathing is simple as they already have the core strength for a roll. Butterfly and breaststroke are fun to learn when children are confident and secure in their swimming and floating.

Overall, the majority of our programs target ages 6-months to 10 years of age. We do offer programs up to 12 years of age in both our SwimFun Academy and Private Lessons.

Two main reasons: 1.) We believe that swim lessons should be offered year-round because it helps our students maintain and improve their swimming skills and knowledge of water safety. Our perpetual lessons are also more convenient because they’re provided on a schedule that works with yours. You’ll always have the option to make changes to your lesson times if needed. 2.) Our SwimBuddy 360 Program teaches kids more than just swimming. We offer a perfect environment for socializing, to build integrity, character and confidence and lastly, for kids to hone their communication and life skills.

Our “Club” Membership allows for 8 Monthly lessons and is the preferred option as skills are best developed swimming more than once per week. Our “Flex” membership allows for 4 Monthly lessons, one per week. Additionally, we offer Private Lessons (4 lessons per month), SwimBridge (8 or 4 15-min lessons per month), and Swim Team Prep (4 45-min lessons per month).

Once a child can walk, they are strong enough to flip from a float to swim back to safety. Toddlers can be taught to Settle. Spin. Swim. Survive.™ and even begin stroke lessons. SwimFun Academy, its Survival Aquatics and Bridge Programs are the only programs that teach stoke lessons after a child learns their Basic Training. Research shows that early swimmers meet their developmental milestones earlier than their non-swimming counterparts.

No. Survival Aquatic programs are static lessons that take 4-6 weeks. SwimFun Academy requires one of two membership levels – and these memberships can be cancelled with 30 days notice.

SwimFun offers one make-up per calendar month when a participant misses a scheduled class. These will be scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays and must be within three weeks from the date of the original absence and is subject to the availability of instructors and time slots. No credit will be given if the student is subsequently unable to attend the scheduled make-up lesson. It is the parent’s responsibility to email swimacademy@swimfun.com to request a make-up.