Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the average adult to learn to swim?
The average adult with no fear of the water will take around 20 hours of swimming lessons before he/she can comfortably and confidently swim 25 yards freestyle. Adults who are afraid of the water or deep water will take longer. This is only average; consistent practice is the key.

How long does it take the average adult to conquer their fear of water?
For an adult, conquering your fear of water means being confident, safe, and free in the water and knowing how to remain safe. Since each person has a unique experience with the water, a specific time-frame cannot be predicted. Adults who are starting the MSI teaching system for the first time should take Overcoming Your Fear of Water Parts 1 & 2 and The Next Step which will total 36 hours of instruction over several months. The key is always being in control and going at your own pace. These classes should be repeated until you are ready to take Beginning Strokes.

I can already swim in shallow water, but I'm afraid in the deep end. Do I need to take the beginning class?
If you need the bottom or side of the pool to stop and get air while you're swimming, yes the beginning class is for you. Once you have complete trust that the water is holding you up and you know how to move around and get air whenever you want, you will no longer be afraid of the deep water. These skills are taught in the Overcoming Your Fear of Water class and will greatly enhance what you already know about swimming.

I really don’t know where the best place for me is to begin. What’s recommended?
If you took the swimming quiz and answered no to any of the questions then your best options are to register for the Introduction to Swimming, Overcoming Your Fear of Water, or a private/semi-private 30 minute evaluation. Click here to send an email with the subject "Evaluation lesson" and the office will contact you for scheduling. If you answered yes to all the questions, want to improve your stroke or compete in triathlon or open water events, there is the option of taking a Mastering Swimming Clinic with Dallas Aquatic Masters or diving right in for a free week of Dallas Aquatic Masters coached swim practices.

How do I register for private or semi-private lesson?
Click here to register online. Then please email Jim at [email protected] to schedule your lessons.

What’s the cost for a private or semi-private lesson?
30-min lesson - $60
45-min lesson - $90
60-min lesson - $120
60-min Flume lesson - $150

What equipment do I need and where is a good place to buy?
Swim suit – Proper attire aids in your enjoyment of the class. Many "fashion suits" can retain up to five pounds of water when wet, making it hard for you to learn how to swim. We recommend a simple one piece Lycra suit for women and a boxer type suit for men designed to shed water. Men have the option to wear a jammer – similar to spandex shorts, but in swim suit material.

Goggles – We recommend wearing goggles as they will provide good underwater vision and will help prevent eye irritation. There are many different styles and goggle manufactures to choose from so if you don’t already have a pair that fits well, a good test before purchasing is to be sure they stay on your face without the goggle strap.

Swim cap – Hair needs to be kept out of the face so it is recommended that men and women with long hair and bangs to wear a swim cap.

Fins – Fins for Strokes classes are provided by the instructor for use during the class but we recommend you purchase your own pair to aid in learning/refining stroke mechanics and drills, kicking, and conditioning.

We recommend you stop by any convenient D & J Sports stores. You can also visit www.djsports.com online for competition and athletic swim gear. 

What’s the policy on cancellations?
Cancellations received by phone or email 72-hours prior to a class or private lesson may be refunded or credited.  Due to the small class size, there are no refunds for cancellations received within 72-hours of the class start date, or after the class has started.

Are make-up classes offered?
Make-up classes will be offered only in the case of pool closure or extreme weather conditions.  All other situations will be considered on a case by case basis.

How long should I take a lesson for?
Private swim lessons are offered in 30-, 45- and 60-minute durations depending on skill level. Adult beginners should take a 45 or 60 minute lesson. Students swimming for stroke development or competition will take a 45-minute lesson. Adults training for open water events like triathlon will schedule 60-minutes or more.

How many students are in a class?
Our classes are small and usually consist of 4 to 6 students per instructor. Total instruction time for Overcoming Your Fear of Water may be reduced to 10 hours for 3 students, which is the minimum. Participation minimum for The Next Step class is 4 and Strokes class is 5.

What is Miracle Swimming and where can I find out more about it?
Miracle Swimming is a new and unique system for overcoming fear of water and gaining the three essential aspects of learning how to swim: confidence, understanding how the water works and competence in deep water. Strokes do not provide any of these building blocks to swimming. We encourage you to read more at the Miracle Swimming Institute (MSI) site.

Flume lessons are scheduled throughout the year (except during the Christmas holidays) Weekdays after 5:00 pm and Saturdays 7:30 am–2 pm.
Click here for more information on the Flume.