Question 1

How long does it take for my child to learn how to swim?

Accepted Answer

Every child learns at their own pace, so there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.A child's progress depends on many factors, including their age, comfort level in the water, previous experience, consistency in attending lessons, practice outside of class, and even their personality. Some children gain confidence quickly, while others need more time to overcome fears and build trust with their coach—and that's perfectly okay.At Rising Tides Swim Academy, we don't measure success by the number of lessons completed. We measure it by the skills, confidence, and water safety your child develops along the way.Our goal isn't to rush the process—it's to ensure every swimmer builds a strong, safe foundation that lasts a lifetime. With consistent attendance and encouragement, most children make steady progress, and we'll celebrate every milestone with you.

Question 2

Should I quit if my child will not stop crying, even after a couple of months?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no.It's completely normal for some children to cry during swim lessons, especially when they are learning new skills, building trust with their Coach, or overcoming a fear of the water. Crying does not necessarily mean they aren't learning. In fact, many children continue to absorb and retain skills even while expressing big emotions.Every child processes new experiences differently. Some adjust within a few lessons, while others simply need more time—and that's okay.If you ever feel your child would benefit from a different teaching style or personality, please don't hesitate to speak with our Manager. Just like adults connect differently with certain teachers, professors, or supervisors, children may respond better to one Coach than another. We are always happy to make a coaching change if we believe it will create a better learning experience for your child.Above all, don't give up on swimming. Whether your journey continues at Rising Tides Swim Academy or another program, the most important thing is that your child continues learning this life-saving skill.In Florida, drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children. Learning to swim isn't just another extracurricular activity—it's an investment in your child's confidence, safety, and future.Our goal is to partner with your family through the ups, the downs, the tears, and the triumphs, because every child deserves the opportunity to become safer and more confident in the water.

Question 3

Do you teach adults to swim?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!We proudly teach adults of all ages and experience levels. Many of our adult students come to us after experiencing a traumatic event in the water, losing a loved one to drowning, or simply never having had the opportunity to learn to swim as a child.No matter your reason for starting, you'll never be judged. Our Coaches create a supportive, encouraging environment where you can build confidence at your own pace.We teach adults using the same proven principles we use with children—breaking each skill into manageable steps while focusing on trust, safety, and proper technique. Some adults progress quickly, while others prefer to move more slowly. Both are completely normal.Our goal isn't just to teach you how to swim—it's to help you feel confident, comfortable, and safe in the water for the rest of your life. It's never too late to learn.

Question 4

Do you teach special needs students?

Accepted Answer

Yes.We welcome students with a wide range of abilities and have experience working with children and adults with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other unique needs.Every student learns differently, which is why we tailor our teaching approach to meet each swimmer where they are. Our goal is to build trust, confidence, water safety, and swimming skills at a pace that is comfortable for the individual.Coach Rhett, one of our owners, has more than a decade of experience teaching students with special needs. He has developed specialized teaching techniques that he shares with and teaches to our Master Coaches, ensuring our team is equipped to provide patient, individualized instruction.To help create a positive learning environment, we typically play background music during lessons. If your child has an auditory sensitivity or is easily overstimulated by sound, please let us know before your lesson. We are happy to turn the music off whenever possible to help your child feel more comfortable and focused.Please note: At this time, our facility is not wheelchair accessible on the pool deck. If your child or family member has specific physical, sensory, or learning needs, we encourage you to contact us before your first lesson so we can discuss how we can best support your swimmer and ensure we're the right fit for your family.

Question 5

Does my child share his lesson with other students?

Accepted Answer

No. With the exception of our Baby & Me Group Class, all of our swim lessons are 100% private.That means your child receives one-on-one instruction with their Coach for the entire lesson. Your Coach's attention is focused solely on your child—there are no shared lesson times or rotating between students.While there may be other private lessons taking place elsewhere in the pool at the same time, your child is not sharing their lesson with another student. Each swimmer has their own designated teaching area and receives individualized instruction.Please note that a private lesson does not mean exclusive use of the entire pool. Other students and Coaches may be in the water during your lesson, but your child's instruction remains completely private and personalized.

Question 6

How old does my child have to be to start swim lessons?

Accepted Answer

We welcome swimmers as young as 6 months old!Families can choose between our Baby & Me Group Class, where a parent or caregiver participates in the water alongside their child, or private one-on-one lessons with one of our experienced Coaches.Starting at a young age helps children become comfortable and confident in the water while developing foundational swimming and water safety skills. Whether you choose a group or private setting, our lessons are designed to create a fun, positive, and supportive experience for both you and your child.Not sure which option is best for your family? We'd be happy to help you choose the program that best fits your child's age, personality, and goals. Or email us at info@risingtidesswim.com

Question 7

Do you teach ISR?

Accepted Answer

No. While we respect the important role ISR has played in promoting water safety, Rising Tides Swim Academy follows a different teaching philosophy.Our approach focuses on teaching children how to swim, not just how to perform a single survival sequence. We believe the strongest foundation comes from helping children develop confidence, proper swimming technique, water safety awareness, and the ability to safely navigate a variety of situations in the water."Our goal isn't simply to help children survive an emergency. Our goal is to give them the confidence and skills to enjoy the water safely for the rest of their lives."Every lesson is individualized to the child's age, developmental stage, personality, and comfort level. Some children progress quickly, while others need more time to build trust and confidence. We believe lasting success comes from meeting each swimmer where they are and helping them progress at a pace that is both safe and effective.Our ultimate goal is to develop confident, capable swimmers who not only know how to respond in an emergency but also possess the skills to enjoy the water safely for years to come.If you're unsure which program is the best fit for your family, we'd be happy to answer your questions and explain our teaching philosophy so you can make the decision that feels right for your child. Email at info@risingtidesswim.com or Call/Text 561-223-1914

Question 8

How are your Coaches qualified to teach?

Accepted Answer

At Rising Tides Swim Academy, we believe that great Coaches aren't just certified—they're carefully selected, extensively trained, and genuinely care about children.Our hiring process begins with one quality above all others: personality. We look for patient, encouraging, compassionate individuals who have a passion for helping children learn and grow. In fact, we've even hired team members who didn't know how to swim when they joined us because we believe swimming can be taught—but a caring heart, positive attitude, and genuine connection with children cannot.Many of our Coaches are also parents themselves, including several current Rising Tides Swim Academy Moms. They understand firsthand the trust families place in us every time a child enters the water.Every new Coach completes an extensive training program under the direct supervision of Coach Rhett. Training is never rushed. While some Coaches are ready sooner, others train for up to three months before ever teaching independently. We believe every child deserves a Coach who is fully prepared and confident.Before becoming a Rising Tides Coach, every instructor must:Complete our comprehensive swim coaching training program.Learn and demonstrate our curriculum and teaching philosophy.Pass our Swim Coach competency evaluation.Successfully complete the "Coach Rhett Test," our final certification. During this evaluation, the Coach teaches Coach Rhett's own students for an entire week while being observed and evaluated to ensure they meet the Rising Tides standard.A Coach is never assigned students independently until Coach Rhett, the Coach, and our leadership team all agree they are fully prepared.Our commitment is simple: We don't lower our standards to fill a schedule. We invest the time to develop exceptional Coaches because your child deserves nothing less.

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