Learn to Swim Well with Mr. Steve

Serves Saint Petersburg, FL

35244

Hired 55 times

1 employee

27 years in business

$40

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, and Zelle.

Next Service

Hours

Sun 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Mon 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Tues 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Wed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Thurs 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Fri 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sat 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Credentials

Background Check

Steve Graves
Completed on 6/17/2021

Introduction

Reach out now to secure a spot with Pinellas County's busiest and most experienced swim teacher going home to home! I teach ONLY in Pinellas County. Reviews are CURRENT and have greatest number of hires and reviews on Thumbtack! Your child only learns to swim once so make it a terrific, positive, and fun experience! Give your child(ren) a GREAT swim teacher! Honored swim teacher (father of four) gets kids comfortable and makes learning to swim lots of fun! (see flyer & photos) using your home, apartment, condo, or your residential community pool teaching young children (toddlers through to teens). Sad to say the city pools do not allow teachers, other than their own, to teach there - even during public open recreation swim times with students and teacher paying admission. :-( I am a national award-winning swimming teacher - giving the experienced guidance your child needs. (International Swimming Hall of Fame and National Swim School Association / United States Swim School Association Hall of Fame). It is soooo much fun! Students don't realize they are learning, they often think they are playing in the pool. No problem that I haven't seen and solved. More years of experience than others you might consider. Why go slower (time and money) or less enjoyably with instructors who are too pushy and can't make it fun? Time is short during the summer home pool swim season. Get swimming in no time! Note: I only teach in Pinellas County...thus passing on other listings.

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

Pricing is $35 per half hour lesson. Discount per lesson, when working with two or more students having back to back lessons on the same visit. Build a class or stay with one-to-one learning. No additional fees or contracts. No charge when bad weather forces cancellation of the lesson. Flexible scheduling for vacations, camp, etc..

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

Listen to the parent's/grandparent's description of what the child does in the water now...and go from there. Pick them up right where they are. After first lesson I can advise on expectation of progress.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

B.S. in Education - Physical Education. Have taught elementary, middle school, and high school physical education which included swimming. Long time Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and also currently certified by Swimming Lessons University - both are Florida approved certifications for swim teachers. Current first aid and CPR certification. * Note - the state of Florida does not require home pool instructors to have certifications as those who work in public and semi-public pools. Look for that however.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

Started in high school as a swim team member, got certified as a swim teacher and lifeguard in high school working for city park and recreation department, became aquatic program director while in college, then after graduation moved on to public school teaching of swimming and P.E. both elementary, middle school, and high school and at several tennis and swim clubs over the years.

What types of customers have you worked with?

All ages - womb to the tomb! Especially enjoy those who are afraid and those who have no fear coupled with no skill - their progress will WOW you!

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

After a lesson or two, a good teacher will be able to give you a reasonable expectation of progress for your child for a series of lessons (eight lessons is a good number to see marked progress) or for the summer for example. If you have access to a pool for practice and play, progress will be faster than only being in the water once per week.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Ask for references or even better, ask to visit and observe a class, before signing up. Please do not put your child through harsh survival regimes - crying is NOT required in order to learn to swim. Don't be fooled by those who bang the drowning drum to get you to buy into their force methods where students are pushed too hard. I have seen parents in tears when they realize that they put their kids through hell because they thought it was what they had to do. If your child isn't smiling and laughing, you need a good swim teacher. Kind and gentle ways are best - most all experts and national programs agree. (Teaching guidelines for young children of the American Red Cross, YMCA, and other national organizations.)

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

How experienced is the person? Only a summer or two during high school or early college? Do they just "instruct" or do they TEACH such that students learn - and children are HAPPY doing so?