Below you will find answers to the most common questions we get. If we cannot answer your question through the FAQ page, please contact us and we will help you.
Where are you located?
We get this question often. We conduct lessons in the Fall, Winter and Spring at Lakeview High School (St. Clair Shores). For lessons that take place in the summer, we travel to your pool. The pool may be located at your residence or community. Call us at (904)-800-SWIM(7946) to see if we are able to service your area.
How are you qualified to teach swimming?
Each of our instructors and co-founder have at the very least, three years of aquatic instruction experience-in some cases-over ten and fifteen years. All of our instructors have experience with all ages groups ranging from 6 months to adults. Additionally, each of our instructors carry CPR/First Aid certification, Lifeguard Instruction and WSI (Water Safety instructor) certifications. The certifications get them an interview, once they are selected to represent Suntastic Swim School, they undergo a detailed background check and swim curriculum training.
What areas do you travel to?
Currently, we travel to the following areas:
Grosse Pointes (All)
Macomb Township
Harrison Township
St. Clair Shores
Shelby Township/Washington Township
Clinton Township
Sterling Heights
Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills
Rochester/Oakland Township
We are always looking at expanding our services to meet our customers needs. If you do not live in the areas listed above, please do not hesitate to contact us or at (904)-800-SWIM(7946)
Do you provide a trial lesson?
Yes, we do provide a trial lesson. Have you heard good things about us but you are unsure about being locked into a lesson package?
Have no fear. Let us prove to you that we are worthy...
We will come out to your house and show you what we are all about
$50 Trial Fee (to be paid at trial lesson)
Nonrefundable
If you like what you see, we will deduct the $50 trial fee from the lesson package you select
We do also offer a 100% money back guarantee stating you will be satisfied with our instruction or you may be refunded the total cost of your lesson package (minus the trial fee if you choose that route) or a credit towards beginning lessons with another instructor. Email us within 48 hours to request your 100% money back guarantee.
Why should my swimmer take private lessons?
Being educators, we are aware of the benefits of teacher to student ratios in the classroom. The same principle applies to swim lessons. When an instructor can dedicate more time to your swimmer identifying weaknesses and giving explicit feedback while in the water, the swimmer has the opportunity to grow and gain confidence in the water. We are extremely conscious and aware you are spending your hard earned money that is why instruction is a full 30 or 60 minutes. The clock starts when we are in the water - not when we pull up in your driveway.
How do I pay for lessons?
Here! When you sign up through the registration tab, you will be contacted by an instructor to set up a customized schedule for your swimmer(s). Once that process has concluded, you will be directed to our purchase tab above. You will then be guided through the process here on the website. Our instructors do not accept money at the lesson. We are dedicated to giving you swim instruction or lifeguarding that satisfies your needs. We cannot do that by asking for payment at the lesson or dedicating any time to the payment process instead of swim instruction or lifeguarding.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Any major credit or debit card
Personal Check or cash (this should be indicated in the "Parent Notes" section of the registration form)
At what age can I start my child in swim lessons?
Our instructors have worked with children from the age of 6 months - Home Pools Only (2 years old at Lakeview High School) to adults who have never learned how to swim. Young children are less likely to have a fear of the water the earlier they start. Also, the physical benefits of swimmings are skills that children can carry through adolescence into adulthood.
What is your cancellation policy?
Life happens. We get it. If you do have to cancel a lesson, we ask that you contact your instructor at least 24 hours prior to the lesson to avoid being charged for the lesson. We will then make every attempt to reschedule the lesson you had to cancel that fits within your schedule and our schedule as well. We allow two lessons to be cancelled for each lesson package. Cancellations due to weather can be made three hours prior to the lesson. There are certain times of the year (Summer) when it is difficult to reschedule lessons. Please keep that in mind when we try and meet your needs.
I don't like my instructor. What can I do?
If you do not like the instructor assigned to your child, please contact us immediately and we will arrange for another instructor that meets your needs.
Do I need my own pool for a lesson?
Optimally, if your have your own pool that works the best. If not, we also give lessons indoors all-year-round at Lakeview High School.
Do I have to be in the pool with my child?
There is no correct or easy answer here. Generally, if your child is under two years of age, we recommend that a parent is in the water with their child. If the child is over two years of age, we generally do not recommend it. Why?
Fear: many times children want their parent with them in the water because they are afraid of the water. If you do get in the water with your child and he/she is over two years of age, it is not beneficial for the instructor or child in terms of getting over the fear of water and gaining confidence while in the water.
Any siblings that are not participating in the lesson should also not be in the water. This tends to distract the instructor and more importantly, the swimmer and learning is difficult under these conditions.
How long will it take my child to swim?
All children progress at a different rate. Children that have positive experiences in the water tend to learn to swim and exhibit water safety sooner than those children who have had negative experiences in the water. Just like any skill that is being learned, it takes time and practice. The earlier your child starts swimming, the sooner your child will learn to swim. Please remember that no child should ever be considered "water safe" or "drown-proof, " regardless of swimming experience or ability. Children should never be left unattended around pools or open water.
At what age can my child be brought in the water?
Suntastic Swim School recommends that children as young as 6 months begin to take swim lessons. The earlier the child starts, the more likely they are to accept the water, learn to swim and overcome their fear. Suntastic Swim School makes it a fun experience. Keeping the water temperature between 90-94 degrees is highly recommended for young children.
Should my child use goggles while learning to swim?
Goggles are acceptable for 3 year olds and up during lessons--IF they fit well and don’t leak much. We encourage parents to get quality goggles, like FINIS for children. A decent, quality pair of goggles can be very useful in the early stages of learning swimming. Goggles are highly recommended for the adult and learn to swim programs.
Do you recommend my child use a flotation device?
Without the supervision or instruction of one of our instructors, no. Our instructors are adept and assessing a child and how a device may help that child swim. Water wings and other flotation devices that are similar only give the child a false sense of skill and safety in the water. The best flotation device, used by our instructors, is one that keeps the swimmer horizontal - not vertical.
