Common Questions Our Coaches Are Often Asked

Teaching over 2000 children every week across venues in London, Surrey and Somerset, our ASA/STA Level 2 or equivalent coaching staff often hear the same questions. In this article, we will cover five of the most common questions from both parents and swimmers.

When Should I Introduce My Child To Swimming?

With nearly 15 years' experience in the swimming school industry, we firmly believe that children should be introduced to swimming at an early age. Our parent-and-baby swimming lessons officially start at 3 months old. Experience has taught us that it is never too late to start swimming; however, introduction at an early age can help improve confidence and water anxiety.

‘Our highly experienced coaches adapt their training to meet your child’s specific needs. We focus heavily on building water confidence and teaching safety skills. We believe the earlier this can be taught, the better.’ Tara Rahilly, Operations Director.

Are Private Lessons More Beneficial Than Group Sessions?

Swim Generation offers both private and small-group sessions, usually consisting of no more than 3 swimmers.

‘As a former swimming coach and now owner of Swim Generation, both private and small group sessions have their distinct advantages. What I have found over many years is that the correct format comes down to the individual, what are their needs, goals and motivations?’ Christopher Whitworth, Founder, Swim Generation.

When answering this question, coaches reassure parents that the Swim Generation model, with small group sizes, often addresses the drawbacks common in larger groups. However, individuals who need special attention or extra support might benefit more from one-to-one coaching.

For parents who are still unsure, contact the Swim Generation management team to assess your child and find the perfect fit. They are former coaches and have extensive experience in this field.

Below is a comparison table highlighting key differences. This table has been created with feedback from both coaches and parents over the last 15 years. Both lesson types are delivered in calm, luxury venues with highly qualified coaches in the water.

Do You Teach Children With Disabilities?

Absolutely, Swim Generation has extensive experience working with children with a wide range of needs. All our coaches are highly qualified and experienced, including those who have taught swimmers with special needs. When discussing requirements with prospective parents, one of the great advantages of using Swim Generation is that our locations are private and quiet, with no sensory overload often associated with public pools.

Below are five reasons we believe Swim Generation is the swimming school of choice for children with special needs.

1. Highly experienced and qualified coaches.

2. Very small lesson sizes.

3. Calm, low sensory pool locations.

4. Coaching is carried out in the water.

5. Flexible solutions to match individual needs.

If your child has special needs, we’re happy to discuss how best to support them. Our coaches are all DBS-checked and offer skilled, adaptive lessons tailored to individual needs. If you require additional information on swimming for people with special needs, Swim England has a comprehensive resource.

How Long Does It Take To Learn To Swim?

This is a very common question, and we have learned over the years that there is no single correct answer. When parents ask this question, we emphasise that every child is different and that the answer can depend on a number of factors. The official Swim England framework can be found here.

• The swimmers' age.

• Swimmer's confidence (general and with water).

• Attention level of swimmers.

• Lesson frequency.

The general industry consensus is that 20-30 hours of swimming for children aged 3 and over yield highly positive outcomes. At Swim Generation, with our luxury, warm venues, in-water coaching by experts (STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification), and small classes with more personalised coaching, learning new swim skills is usually quicker.

How Does Your Swim School Provide Feedback?

The Swim England framework emphasises the importance of feedback, a principle recognised at Swim Generation. As part of their ongoing training, our coaches are taught to provide effective, clear and meaningful feedback.

‘Our lessons are deliberately structured to allocate adequate time in every lesson to provide meaningful feedback. We know firsthand that constructive feedback is key to skill development.’ Tara Rahilly, Operations Director.

Feedback at Swim Generation is handled in the following ways:

• At the end of each 30-minute lesson, 2 minutes are dedicated to feedback.

• Access to a password-protected portal allowing swimmers and parents to track the progress and achievements.

• The coaches and management team are always available for questions and progress updates.

Parents and swimmers are never left wondering how the lesson went. Real-time feedback, backed by a digital progress tool, provides total transparency and 24/7 access.

Summary

If you have any further questions or would like to learn how Swim Generation can assist, complete our online form or contact a team member anytime.