The Evolution of Swim Lessons – A Decades Long Journey
When I first began my journey as a swim instructor two decades ago, the landscape of swimming lessons looked quite different. Back then, we taught beginner swimmers in groups of eight and more advanced swimmers in groups of 10-12. These children, eager to learn, would typically swim once or twice a week for just 30 minutes at a time. The focus was on building a foundation, but with limited time and large class sizes, personalized instruction was a challenge.
American Red Cross WSI – A Launching Point
The city-run recreational curriculum I originally started teaching was rooted in the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) program. It provided a foundation, covering all four competitive strokes—freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly—as well as skills like elementary backstroke and sidestroke, which have since become less common in modern swim programs. Once we completed our WSI certification, ongoing training was nonexistent. The prevailing belief was that by teaching regularly, our skills would naturally stay up to date. Unfortunately, this meant that instructors often lacked opportunities to refine their techniques or adapt to new teaching methods.
A Finely Tuned Methodology
Fast forward to today, and the evolution of swim instruction is nothing short of remarkable. At Pikes Peak Athletics (PPA), we’ve embraced a more holistic and dynamic approach to teaching swimming. We’ve moved away from the one-size-fits-all methodology and now prioritize small class sizes, offering a 1:4 ratio for group lessons and even more personalized instruction in our 1:2 ratios with Mini Group Lessons. This shift allows for far more direct, individualized attention, enabling swimmers to progress more quickly and confidently while developing close relationships with their instructors and peers.
So Much More than a Single Certification Course
Our curriculum at PPA has been meticulously refined over the years, drawing on the expertise of experienced instructors and the latest developments in swimming education. We don’t just stop at hiring experienced instructors—we’re committed to expanding their knowledge through ongoing training. Our instructor team completes over two hours of training each month, continuously improving their skills and learning new techniques to become even stronger educators.
We incorporate video analysis to help instructors understand stroke correction in-depth. It’s not just about recognizing when a stroke is performed incorrectly; it’s about knowing exactly how to guide a child to adjust their head positioning for proper body alignment, use their kicks to maintain balance, and much more. This level of detail empowers our instructors to provide targeted feedback that truly makes a difference in a swimmer’s progress.
We also invite swimmers to participate in mock lessons, giving our instructors the chance to practice and perfect their teaching in a low-pressure environment. These mock lessons foster deeper connections between our families and the instructor team, creating a supportive community where everyone is dedicated to the growth of our program and the success of our swimmers.
Understanding the Learning Process
We understand that learning is not linear. Just because a child has mastered a skill once doesn’t mean they’ll retain it indefinitely. That’s why we emphasize revisiting foundational skills, like floating, regularly. By reinforcing these basics, we help swimmers build the confidence and competence they need for long-term success in the water.
Developing the Next Generation of Instructors
Moreover, we’ve developed our own instructor training course, ensuring that the next generation of instructors has a solid foundation before they begin shadowing and eventually teaching on their own. Our approach is not just about teaching swimming skills—it’s about understanding how children learn. By examining different learning styles and adapting our instruction methods, we meet the unique needs of each child, fostering a supportive and effective learning environment.
Looking Ahead
In reflecting on how far swimming lessons have come, I’m proud to be part of a program that prioritizes quality, continuous improvement, and multi-faceted instruction. The journey from those early days of large class sizes and minimal ongoing training to today’s refined, personalized approach has been incredibly rewarding. I look forward to being a part of and witnessing the next phases of this evolution. At PPA, we’re not just teaching kids to swim—we’re helping them build skills that will last a lifetime.
Jaecie Montgomery | Program Operations Manager