Frequently Asked Questions

• For the safety of all involved, we limit our deck area to swimmers and FINS personnel only. Occasionally, we may request parental assistance with a child.
• A Deck Monitor will be on duty during heavier lesson hours to assist students to and from classes. If you notice your child needing assistance (to find their way to the restroom during a lesson) and a deck monitor is not available, please help the swimmer leave and re-enter the class safely.
• Feedback will be provided at the end of each swim lesson when the FINStructor walks the student back to the parent or caregiver. At times, conversation with the teacher may not be possible and you are welcome to speak with the deck monitor or front desk. We will leave a message for the instructor to call you at their earliest convenience.

• Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to honor requests for specific instructors. FINS reserves the right to change instructors and/or reassign an instructor to a different class at any time.
• We fully understand the importance of consistency when teaching children this important life-saving skill. However, there are times when our instructors will be out due to illness, unforeseen emergencies, and scheduled vacations. During that time, a substitute instructor will teach the lessons. The substitute instructor is provided notes on your child’s particular class and should be able to conduct the lesson in the same manner as the regular instructor. Please be assured that all of our instructors receive the same rigorous training and monthly in-service to provide your student with the best lessons possible.

• Knowledge of water safety is our # 1 priority in swim lessons. In addition, we will do our best to teach each child basic swim strokes, good breathing techniques, and necessary endurance to promote safe water activities.
• Just like many other skills young people learn, the best results will come with a consistent program over a few years. A weekly lesson throughout the year with interval breaks will yield better results than pushing to learn everything during the summer months, with no continued exposure to swimming for the next 8-10 months.
• There are many motor skills to be mastered and used simultaneously in swimming. Each child will learn at their own pace…and will do best when they are having fun.
• Swimming should be an enjoyable and safe activity for a lifetime. Creating solid mastery requires an investment of lessons over several years.

Our teachers are trained to deal with even the most fearful swimmer. We even have extra teachers on hand at all times to jump in if need be. We have many toys, songs, and games specially created for fearful swimmers. If you need help getting your child into the pool, ask our staff for assistance; we will gladly get your child in the water and swimming happily in no time!

Special consideration is given to toddlers 2 – 3 years of age. Transitions are usually more difficult for them. At this age, everything in their life is changing and can become very stressful.  For this reason, FINS offers a ‘transitional’ class; a developmental approach to helping toddlers cope with learning the new skill of swimming.  Having the comfort of a parent involved in lessons with them eases their anxiety, promotes a positive learning experience, and soon boosts confidence to move on to the next level.

FINS swim classes can be no larger than 1 student for every teacher. Baby FINS classes have six students for each teacher because they are parent participation classes. Baby FINS 3 has 1 student for each teacher to assist more actively in student transition onto classes without the parent. Fast FINS classes have 6 students because the class is longer and more competitive based.

1. Enter the facility and find a seat where you can observe your child’s lesson from..
   b. Encourage your child to use the toilet before lessons.
   c. Get your child changed into a swimsuit and/or swim pants.
   d. Wait in the observation room until the deck person calls his/her name.
   f. Wait in the observation room during lessons. Please do not leave the facility during lessons.
   i. Allow your child to rinse off under the shower in the changing room if so desired. Wrap your child up with his/her towel.
   j. Use a changing room to allow your child to change back into clothes.

In an effort to protect all swimmers from Water Born Illnesses (WBI) the Health Department requires that children who are not potty-trained wear reusable swim diapers. Wearing two swim diapers with tight elastic around the waist and legs will contain a solid accident in the swimming pool and protect everyone from WBI.

Yes, our pools are kept between 87-90 degrees. In addition, our air temperature in the pool areas are kept between 82-85 degrees to ensure maximum comfort in our learning environment.

The registration fee helps with the cost of administrative expenses.

FINS instructors participate in a rigorous Teacher Training Time including classroom training and in-water training. If the teacher trainee passes a final exam and the physical demands of this Teacher Training Time, they are invited to train for 40 more hours beside one of our veteran teachers in specially arranged swim classes using FINS swimmers. If you want your child to get some extra practice at no charge please inquire about our FINStructor Training classes at the front desk

Additionally, every FINS instructor is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Teachers of the Baby FINS and/or Fast FINS Programs undergo 12 more hours of classroom and in-water training to qualify as Baby FINS teachers or Fast FINS coaches.

Yes. FINS instructors participate in several Water Training Meetings a year. These meetings include new teaching techniques and safety improvements. EAPs (Emergency Action Plans) are also practiced regularly by each shift of teachers, so FINS instructors are prepared for an emergency.

All classes are 20 minutes long except for Baby FINS and competitive classes (Fast FINS). Although it’s possible to keep students in the water longer, experience has taught us that 20 minutes one on one is about the longest you can expect a student to be challenged with new swim skills in the water.

ALL children in lessons learn to swim eventually; just as all children learn to walk, some a little sooner, some a little later, but all do. Enjoy the process and enjoy the child’s achievements. A new arena of play and life is opening up for them and the whole family to enjoy.  Most of our families stay with us until their child becomes a Gold FINS, but some choose to leave after the Bronze or Silver FINS levels. The majority of our elementary level water safety skills are covered by the time a student completes the Silver FINS level. More advanced stroke techniques and water safety skills are taught in our Gold FINS and above classes.

If you ever have any questions about the skills being taught in your child’s class please see the Aquatics Manage or front desk.

Our pools are monitored continually and automatically fed chemicals electronically the very moment a change in chlorine or pH is indicated. All of this is backed up by manual water test throughout the day in order to ensure all equipment is functioning properly.

Additionally, each pool is equipped with a UV sanitizer. Our UV systems bombard the passing water flow with a high-intensity germicidal ultraviolet ray that destroys more than 60 waterborne pathogens, including algae, bacteria, cysts, and viruses. The UV sanitizing lamp is housed in an industrial housing. A highly specialized quartz glass sleeve protects the lamp from passing water while transmitting 99.9% of the UV light. The highly concentrated electromagnetic energy destroys organic matter and eliminates the formation of dangerous chlorine by-products called chloramines that commonly lead to red, stinging eyes, skin irritations, asthma, and allergies.

Yes. FINS students can move up levels at any time after the teacher has gotten the ok from the deck supervisor or manager on duty.  Students must be able to consistently perform all skills in their current level before moving on to the next level.

FINS believes that there is no way to be “Drown-Proofed”. However, we do believe drowning is preventable. We teach all of our students how to love and respect the water.  Water safety is our top priority and we teach all students safety rules like Never swim alone. In fact, no one should ever swim alone! We do not even allow our swim instructors to be in the pool alone. Accidents can happen anytime to anyone!

FINS believes that there is no way to be “Drown-Proofed”. However, we do believe drowning is preventable. We teach all of our students how to love and respect the water.  Water safety is our top priority and we teach all students safety rules like Never swim alone. In fact, no one should ever swim alone! We do not even allow our swim instructors to be in the pool alone. Accidents can happen anytime to anyone!

FINS believes that there is no way to be “Drown-Proofed”. However, we do believe drowning is preventable. We teach all of our students how to love and respect the water.  Water safety is our top priority and we teach all students safety rules like Never swim alone. In fact, no one should ever swim alone! We do not even allow our swim instructors to be in the pool alone. Accidents can happen anytime to anyone!

FINS does not give refunds, but with our perpetual booking program you may stop class at anytime.  All you have to do is fill out our Taking A Break form and drop it off at the front desk with 30 days notice.