Water & Well-Being Adult Swimming by Sarah King

My complex’s pool in Miramar (Locals) 1 60-min lesson: $75 2-3 lesson package: $140 - $210 ($70/each) 4+ lesson package: $260 ($65/lesson) Lessons are offered at this location on Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 5:45 - 8:45pm or Saturday mornings at 10:30am. Small Group lessons at UM Wellness Center (You do not need to be a student or member, but prices are reduced if you are.) - Adult Beginner - Mondays 6:45pm or 7:45pm - Adult Intermediate - Tuesdays 6:40pm or 7:40pm - Classes are offered in 6-week sessions. Non-member pricing is $150/session ($25 per class). Private Lessons at UM Wellness Center Private lessons can scheduled for Saturday afternoons between 1pm-5pm. - 1x 50-minute lesson: - 4x 50-min lessons: - 8x 50-min lessons: $448 ($56/lesson) Private Swim Retreats I also offer private and semi-private swim retreats for more focused learning designed for adult beginner level. Whether someone with no experience, or tried before but fear or poor coaching may have hindered your progress, these holistic swim retreats allow for more progress in a shorter period of time. These would include 10-20 hours of private swim instruction completed over the course of 4 - 7 days to increase your comfort and control in the water. Retreats can also include optional add-ons of yoga or hypnotherapy to help calm anxiety if needed. Retreats could be held at my complex in Miramar, your residence pool, private pool rental, or lodging if visiting South Florida. Please let me know if interested. If purchasing a local private lesson package, full payment is due at the first lesson. Lessons must be used within six months from purchase or they will be forfeited.

I have an initial conversation to learn the swimmer's experience and goals for taking swim lessons. Then we discuss what options could look like for scheduling and lesson packages based on their experience level, goals, and availability. I can also advise on goggles, swim caps, hair care, and swimsuit recommendations if needed to help prepare for success. I send them a pre-swimming questionnaire and release form via email and we schedule their lesson(s). Payment for the selected package is expected at their first lesson.

Over the 24 years I have been a swim instructor, I have been trained in youth and adult swimming lessons, completed YMCA Swim Instructor certification, American Red Cross lifeguard certification, and American Red Cross CPR & AED. I have also coached YMCA youth and adult (US Master's Swimming) swim teams. The only level I have not been trained in is infant & toddler. In addition to swimming training, I have several years of experience in youth and adult education. As a learning development professional, I teach software classes and in addition, as a Speaker and Healing Arts Practitioner, I facilitate workshops and events to help people nurture their well-being through movement, mindfulness, and creativity.

I first took swimming lessons as a young child and refused to put my head under the water. My mom made me join the neighborhood swim team anyway at age 8. On my first day of practice I realized I couldn't keep up with the other kids if I didn't put my face in the water and from that point on I took to the water very naturally and grew to love the sport. I started swimming competitively year-round after that first summer season and swam all the way through college at a Division 1 school. My first job was as a swim instructor when I was 16 years and I have taught swimming in some capacity ever since!

Although I have taught fundamentals and coached swim teams for children as young as 3 years old through adults, I specialize in teaching teens and adults. At this time, I am open to taking on new clients from ages 15+.

One of my former adult beginner swim clients, Gugush, shared this feedback with me after our series of six private lessons was completed. She said “You have made a tremendous difference to my life. Really can’t thank you enough for your patience, encouragement, and support to help me get over to the deep end literally and in my mind. So a heartfelt thank you!” It was so neat seeing her 13 years old twin sons jumping up and down cheering for her when she showed them she could swim across the pool for the first time on her own. As you know, teen boys don’t usually get excited about things their parents do, so I know her efforts made a huge impact on them as well.

One thing I hear from adults with little or no experience swimming frequently is that they feel it is too late for them to learn. If you are an adult in this situation, listen, it is absolutely possible to learn to swim and it is not too late. I have seen and guided dozens of adults with no experience go from fearful and unsure to be able to support themselves in the water and their comfort level increased so much they’ve even said many times how in love they are with water! I have also heard each adult swim client I’ve had comment on how relaxing swimming is as they learn the skills to be in it comfortably, how quiet it is under the water, and how it helps to clear their mind. I also recognize that learning to swim as an adult can be daunting since it often comes wrapped in extra layers of fear, embarrassment, control, and possibly earlier bad experiences. Therefore, I will be patient with you and go at your pace, supporting you not only through physical instruction but also mindset support.

If you are a teen or adult who has limited or no experience swimming, then I would certainly recommend asking the instructor if they have taught other adult beginners. If so, how did it go?