What sets Liquid Lifestyles® apart from other swim schools?

Our COACHES. Liquid Lifestyles® hires only the most knowledgeable and passionate swim coaches in the industry. Each coach is hand-selected for their extensive coaching experience and their extraordinary ability to communicate and simplify skills through our process-driven approach. Many of our coaches are professional educators that have chosen to make careers out of their love of swimming and teaching. This dedication creates long-term relationships with our clients and produces phenomenal results! When you train with a Liquid Lifestyles Coach you are guaranteed to be working with an individual that has many years of coaching experience and is passionately dedicated to continuing education and to your success!

Our PROCESS. Our coaches follow a specialized curriculum for each course, which expedites the learning process and the clients’ swimming proficiencies. The curriculum is based on over 20 years of in-water training and research, but is also dynamic, allowing for the latest ideas and training methods to be implemented on a continual basis. Each Liquid Lifestyles® coach brings their unique skill sets to every class, enabling clients to have a truly one-of-a-kind experience every time they visit the pool or open water. By improving the way swimming is taught and practiced, Liquid Lifestyles® produces results far faster than conventional methods.

VIEW COACH BIOS

We are swimmers who love to swim and coaching is our passion. Jump on in and let us help you achieve your swimming goals!

Do I need any previous swimming experience?

Absolutely not! There is no better time than now to start learning how to swim, regardless of your age or experience. We offer private and small group class options for ALL ages and ALL ability levels, from the most anxious children and adults, to elite athletes and everyone in between! We take a hands-on approach to teach the fundamental principles of proper breathing, balance and feel for water. You'll gain the comfort and confidence to create a positive, long-term relationship with the water and develop skills that will last a lifetime!

How do I know which class or level to enroll in? 

We do our best to provide a detailed online class description as well as the prerequisites necessary for each class level. View Class Descriptions Here. For our children’s group classes we do offer a one-time Trial Class Visit in which you can receive an in-water assessment from a coach to determine proper placement. We typically recommend that if you are unsure or are on the fence between 2 levels that you “level down” to start with. Please be sure to inform the coach that you are there for a Trial Class or if it is your First Lesson so they know to perform a thorough skill assessment. After the class is completed, the coach will let you know if that level/service type is well suited for your swimmer. We are also happy to have a conversation with you prior to your enrollment.

What should I expect for my first lesson?

Before your first visit, please use the Locations Page on our website to familiarize yourself with the facility. We encourage you to arrive a 10-15 minutes early to get acquainted with the facility and change into your swim gear. Below is some general information regarding your arrival but we also encourage you to read more about Preparing For Your Child’s First Swim Lesson if you have a youngster who has not taken swim lessons before or is a bit nervous.

WESTLAKE LOCATION:

Once you arrive, you may use our family-friendly changing rooms to get changed. We offer locker cubbies to store your valuables and have restrooms equipped with showers for your comfort. There is no need to "check-in" so please just make yourselves comfortable while awaiting your lesson. At the start of each lesson, coaches will come down from the deck to greet and will call up you or your child by name. Parents/guardians can remain on the main floor to watch from “below deck".”

REMINDERVILLE ATHLETIC CLUB:

Non-members of partner facilities are required to check in at the front desk and may be asked to sign-in. When you arrive please notify the front desk you are there with Liquid Lifestyles. You may use the facility locker rooms to change. All other areas are strictly prohibited. Use of restricted areas may jeopardize facility relationships and result in termination of client contracts. Look for your coach in the pool area. Please keep in mind that your coach may be in the water up until your scheduled lesson time.

GENERAL:

The coach will then lead your child to their lesson spot. If your child is nervous it may be best for you to drop them off and leave the area for the first few minutes of the class. This way the child will have time to get used to the coach. The first lesson tends to be more slow-paced as we are focused on understanding the unique skill sets of your child and working on establishing trust and communication.

The coach may end a few minutes early for the first lesson so that there is extra time to consult with the parent. In some instances we may recommend your child move to a different class level to better suit their needs and/or we may have some recommendations for practice between visits. Regardless of the child’s fears or anxieties it is important that you stay positive and celebrate each small success!

Should I take group classes or private lessons?

Group Classes are a great way for your child to receive both a social and dynamic learning experience alongside another student. Liquid Lifestyles sees the importance of small group instruction, so there is never more than 2 children in a group class. This is a great balance for many children, as they get time to rest between skills while watching and learning from a peer. Private lessons are another great option and better for children who want or need one-on-one attention for the entire lesson. Private lessons do not need to follow the same curricula as group classes, which can leave some room for personal goals of the student. Within our Private Lesson model there is an option for a “Group Private Lesson,” which essentially allows you to CHOOSE your swimming partner and can be great for siblings or friends of a similar skill level.

Are swim caps and goggles required?

Yes, swim caps and googles are required. At the start of your first class a Liquid Lifestyles coach, or on-deck assistant, will supply each participant with their first Liquid Lifestyles® silicone swim cap, free of charge. Additional caps can be purchased at any time for $10. Both adult and children sized caps are available and the style of cap provided is based upon the level designation of the swimmer. Non-LL caps are not permitted. All swimmers are required to wear goggles during their lesson. Goggles that cover your nose are not permitted. We sell a variety of goggles for both children and adults on the pool deck. Purchases can be made directly with your coach and charged to the credit card on file in your account. Cash is not accepted.

We recommend storing your cap and goggles along with your Liquid Lifestyles tool kit and having it on BEFORE the start of the lesson. If you need assistance, your coach can teach you how to quickly and painlessly put on the swim cap for all future lessons. If you or your child has long hair, putting it in a ponytail first will help expedite the process considerably. All long hair must be tucked fully into a swim cap to help with cleanliness of the pool and to eliminate any distraction of hair in the students face while swimming.

READ MORE ABOUT: Why do we require swim caps?

What is the client-to-coach ratio in group classes?

We believe smaller is better! Our group classes are conducted in a semi-private format and have a max capacity of 2 clients per coach. We also offer private lessons that allow for personalized 1 on 1 instruction (with the option to “Add-A-Swimmer”) for all ages and abilities.

How long will it take me or my child to advance to the next level?

Progression is based upon successful demonstration of specific skills, not a predetermined number of lessons. Each client is different, so there is no way to predict how quickly any one person will advance through each level. Some individuals may take longer than others to obtain comfort with the skill sets of each class. It is Liquid Lifestyles’® belief that consistent attendance and practice in between lessons are critical in achieving one’s swimming goals.

Our children’s program is continuous, with no pre-determined number of sessions, and without any set “testing days.” Clients will only advance when the coach feels that the swimmer has properly mastered the required skills. This system prevents the coach from feeling the unnecessary haste and pressure to “pass” or “graduate” a student using sub-par techniques. Each child “moves-up” at the exact right time when he or she is ready. This flexibility allows for advancement based upon the demonstrated skills and comfort of each child and promotes EXCELLENCE rather than mediocrity.

Our adult classes are more structured, being 5 weeks in length. When appropriate, some clients may choose to repeat a course or take a few extra private lessons prior to advancing to the next level.

How frequently should I take classes?

It’s no secret that greater frequency of practice comes a greater frequency of improvement! If you are looking for the fastest results, you may opt for coming in 2 times (or more) per week! While most of our clients visit us once per week and see amazing results, if you choose to come in more frequently just look for another day/time that works with you schedule. It does NOT need to be with the same coach. Keep in mind exposure makes a difference! So, if its not with us for a lesson try to hit up you local pool or gym for some extra practice and you’ll see the results!

Do I get a make-up if I miss a scheduled class?

We are focused on providing our swimmers the best experience possible! We recognize that class consistency (with coaches and fellow swimmers) cannot be duplicated with make-up sessions. When you enroll into our monthly program, your lesson/class time is held exclusively for you each week and prevents others from registering into that time slot. You are paying to secure your time, not your attendance. The consistency of attending your regularly scheduled class is one of the keys to your progress and swimming success.

Liquid Lifestyles does not offer make-ups for several reasons:

CONSISTENCY - We know there is a strong and positive relationship between consistent class attendance and a student’s comfort and their ability to learn and retain skills. Class consistency is also important for the coach, so they can better prepare lesson plans and to understand the unique needs and goals of each student.

DISRUPTIVE - The rich, and familiar, interactions between the coach, swimmer and classmates is an integral component to our successes. In our experience, students that "drop-in" to an existing class can drastically change the class dynamics, causing distraction and disrupting the regular rhythm. This is not fair to the other families or the coaches. These frustrations are amplified if the coach and the student are unfamiliar with each other.

SMALL CLASS SIZE - Liquid Lifestyles strongly believes in the value of small class sizes. Offering make-ups would require that we add students to existing classes thereby reducing the individual attention that would otherwise be provided. This is something we won’t compromise.

LIMITED SPACE - Our classes are very popular and if we allowed for make-ups in open classes, it would prevent other families from signing up. 

RESPECT FOR OUR TALENTED COACHES - Our coaches are our greatest asset and is what truly sets us apart. We are able to hire and retain the very best staff, for the highest pay, by giving our coaches consistent schedules and respecting their time, regardless of class attendance.

NO ANNUAL FEES, NO CONTRACTS & CANCEL ANYTIME - We hope you understand the rationale behind our policy and that it is fashioned in the best interest of the student, our coaches, and all other affected families. And while we do not offer make-up classes, please keep in mind that we also do not charge annual membership dues, do not require any long term contracts, and you can cancel at any time without incurring any cancellation fees.

What if my class falls on a holiday or scheduled pool closure?

With our price per lesson billing model, you will ONLY be billed for the number of lessons scheduled for the month. Auto-Pay takes place on the first of every month. If you swim on Mondays and there are only three scheduled Mondays during the month due to a holiday or break, you will only be billed for three lessons. Similarly, if there happen to be five scheduled Mondays during the month, you will be billed for five lessons.If Liquid Lifestyles has to cancel your regularly scheduled class or lesson you will be provided with a Token that can be used for the same or similar-value service. Contact Customer Care to schedule a class or lesson using a Token.

How do I change or cancel my enrollment?

There are no monthly commitments or cancellation fees when you join our program. You can initiate a transfer request or cancel your plan directly from your Liquid Lifestyles account page.

My child was upset during the entire lesson, what should we do?

Be patient. Be consistent. It is normal for a child to be nervous before and during class, especially when the pool environment is new or unfamiliar to the child. Our coaches are trained to handle all types of situations and will know how to help the child overcome their reservations. Sometimes this may take a few sessions. The best way to help your child overcome their fears and develop lifelong swimming skills is to continue coming to classes. With consistency, the coach can begin to develop a good rapport with the child, better understand their likes and dislikes, and help the child find familiarity and comfort with the new skills. Please remember that crying is a natural and a very common phase of the learning process. With just a bit of time and lots of encouragement you’re little one will soon be happily swimming! You can read more HERE.

How can I help my swimmer at home?

This is a great question! Mostly, having casual conversations about how fun swimming is or how to be safe around water are the easiest ways to help at home. If you have access to a pool in your free time, going and swimming together is also very beneficial. What is most important for our swimmers from beginners to competitive is having fun or a reason to keep coming back. Beginner swimmers just having a good time splashing around with mom and dad is plenty of good practice, while the more advanced swimmers might want to try out a community swim team as well to fuel their desire to get better and faster. You can always ask your coach for “homework” to build your child’s skills outside of class, as in all things the more we practice the faster we get better!

- My swimmer hates their cap and/or goggles

There can be a few reasons why wearing caps and/or goggles is a struggle, but typically children either think it makes them look silly or its uncomfortable because they are not used to wearing one. Either way you can make it part of their daily routine until your child gets used to the cap and/or goggles; they can wear them in the shower or tub for a few minutes, walk around the house for a bit every day wearing their caps and goggles, but most importantly you can give some praise as they are wearing their swimming gear. A simple “wow, that cap looks cool” can go a long way to improving their outlook on wearing a cap. Please note that we require caps as a sign that a child has their waiver approved and is part of our program as well as it keeps our pools clean and running well without the excess hair fall out that is inevitable in the water. Caps also help keep goggles on our swimmers’ heads. Goggles help improve comfort and skill level considerably, while also keeping our swimmer’s eyes from prolonged or over-exposure to the pool water, which can be harsh on such delicate parts of the face after a long duration of time.

- My child isn’t comfortable putting their face in the water (LB-1) / blowing nose bubbles (LB-2)

Comfort with submerging our heads or blowing nose bubble is built through simple repetition in a controlled environment. For extra practice, during bath time your child can practice bubble cheeks with their teapot song, or nose bubbles with a cup or in directly in the water as they would in class. Its important to encourage bubble cheeks before pouring water over your child’s head or encourage your child to hum for nose bubbles as humming forces air to be exhaled through their nose.

Why was I asked to leave, or “hide,” during my child's lesson?

In some cases it is strictly a matter of facility rules. Some of our partner facilities require parents or guardians wait in a designated viewing area. This separation may be required due to limited deck space, to limit distractions, and to keep all swimmers and facility patrons safe. We kindly request that all Liquid Lifestyles® swimmers adhere to each facility’s rules in order to continue our positive working relationship with the partner facility.

In other cases, the coach may ask the parent or guardian to wait out of sight if the child is becoming too distracted by the parent or guardian’s presence. It is normal for young children to cry and express fear during the first few weeks of lessons. However, when a distraught child is able to readily see their parent in close proximity, they become so focused on them that they completely disengage from the class and the coach. Your Liquid Lifestyles® coach needs the opportunity to bond with your child and be viewed as a trustworthy adult. This process is made easier when the coach does not have to “compete” for the attention of the child. Usually, when the parent leaves the immediate area and is out of sight, the child's objections begin to cease and the coach can start developing a positive relationship with the child.

* FUN FACT! At our Westlake location the simple act of sitting down in a chair on the main floor will prevent your child from being able to make eye contact with you. This is due to the mirroring effect of the viewing windows. From the main floor you, as a parent, will still be able to view and hear your child throughout their lesson. As your child progresses and becomes comfortable in his/her surroundings they will gain the confidence to go below the water! And when they do they will have the excitement of seeing you though the glass!!.