Pool Pirates Swimming
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Pirates Face-Up First Swimming
POOL PIRATES SWIMMING MISSION
We provide training and encouragement for swimmers to achieve a reasonable assurance of face-up comfort
and lifesaving endurance in the water, and subsequently, development of advanced swimming techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pool temperature?
85-87 degrees
What is the class size?
Our class size for the Pirates Program is three students. Six or nine names on a class list represent two or three distinct, individual classes of three - not a large group of six or nine.
The Plebes Program is a 1:1 coach to swimmer ratio. Voyagers work in groups of up to twelve with one coach.
Where do you list the levels?
There are no "levels." Register for your preferred time slot. See below for more information on NO LEVEL SWIMMING.
CLICK FOR MORE ANSWERS
How can I help my child prepare for swimming lessons?
How can I help my child practice what he/she is learning at Pool Pirates?
If you don't see your question or answer here, give us a call! We can help!
402-556-1205 or email to aquatics@brownell.edu
The safest position in the water is to be floating in a relaxed manner on your back with your face out of the water so that you are able to breathe (or scream "Come back! Turn the boat around!" if you wish). Until you can float on your back in this manner you don't need to learn anything else.
FACE-UP swimming is effective for children who have no fear of the water because it allows them to start actually swimming almost immediately. FACE-UP swimming is effective for children who have are fearful of the water because they do not have to initially deal with their greatest fear - putting their face in the water.
EJamie demonstrating a relaxed back float.
Click to see Jamie swim: Jamie (15 mo.): Jamie1 Jamie2 Jamie3 and Jamie (18 mo.) - at 18 months she has learned to roll to her stomach to swim and roll onto her back to breathe. Jamie (20 mo.) - She doesn't do 1-2-3-4-roll; she does 1-roll, but it gets the job done!
Click to see Courtney walk-the-plank and demonstrate her back floating. Courtney is a B-T student and she was almost three and a half when this video was shot on January 24, 2006.
BENEFITS OF NO LEVEL SWIMMING LESSONS
One of the first things you will notice when registering for our lessons is that, unlike other lesson programs, Pool Pirates Swimming does not have levels. Swimmers do not progress through a series of different classes or levels. In our program they progress through a series of skills until they can swim independently. Our FACE-UP FIRST skills are taught first and then swimmers progress to more advanced skills. All swimmers are taught the same skills in the roughly the same order. However, each swimmer in a group of three may be working on a different skill. Coaches can easily keep track of the progress of the three swimmers in each class. Our coaches are focused on helping children learn to comfortably and confidently swim independently. They are not focused on checking skills off a list.
In addition to putting the focus where it belongs - on learning to swim rather than "passing" through levels - no level swimming has several practical benefits.
When scheduling lessons, families need only choose a convenient time slot. It is not necessary to consider the skill level of each individual swimmer.
Siblings, friends, car pool mates, etc. may be in the same class regardless of ability level.
Parents may schedule lessons months in advance without having to guess or predict at what level their swimmer will be in the future.
IDEAL SWIMMER TO COACH RATIO OF 3:1
1. WORK
2. REST & PLAY
3. NEXT
The ideal class ratio for learning to swim is three swimmers to one coach. Pool Pirates Swimming is structured to provide this three to one ratio. Three to one allows for one swimmer to be working and two to be on the dock. Each swimmer receives a comfortable amount of swimming time with individualized instruction, rest and independent exploration and play time, and time preparing to be next.
More than three or fewer than three swimmers in a class often throws off the balance. With fewer than three, students do not get enough rest, nor do they have someone to play with, and they are always "next." Being "next" is almost as exhausting as swimming when you are very afraid. Rarely are private or semi-private lessons a good choice for reluctant swimmers. Most children do best with our individualized instruction combined with the camaraderie of our small group setting. Even enthusiastic swimmers tire easily and miss out on important independent water exploration time in private or semi-private lessons.
With more than three the balance is also often off. There can be too much time between turns and not as many turns are given in the thirty-minute time slot. Also, we have found that two children will play with each other on the dock regardless of whether or not they have anything in common. With three swimmers on the dock, it is usually necessary for them to have something in common...age or ability, or to be siblings or friends. This does not often happen with our "no level" structure.
Occasionally, classes do not fill so there may be fewer than three in the class. In this event, depending on the ability level and stamina of the swimmers, they may complete all their turns and be finished swimming in less than thirty-minutes. Very infrequently, due to scheduling and staffing constraints, we may need to expand our ratio to a still effective four swimmers for a single class period. In addition, at the request of individual families, we have at times allowed four swimmers to be in one class for an entire session. As long as the swimmers behave and are safe on the dock, we can allow this. Scheduling is sometimes a balancing act between the ideal class size and the practical needs of our Pool Pirates families.
The use of flotation devices is one of the worst pre-swimming-lesson experiences a child can have. If your child wears arm-bands, swim sweater, or a "bubble," even a few times, it will take your child much longer to learn how to swim.
These devices teach a heads-up posture in the water, the arms out to the sides with the back arched and the knees bent in a treading-style kicking pattern. That posture and action is literally the opposite of what will be needed in a water survival situation. Because of the false sense of security those devices promote in the child and parent alike, their use may actually promote drowning.
It is our job to protect our swimmers and to promote learning to swim. Therefore, we strongly discourage using flotation devices of any kind in a recreational pool setting.
Our Open Swim policy concerning flotation devices is as follows: We do not allow the use of flotation devices by those who cannot swim. We allow the use of rafts, rings, and other toys by children and adults who can swim independently. The use of these toys is at the discretion of the lifeguards on duty.
Our Pool Pirates policy concerning flotation devices is as follows: We do not allow the use of flotation devices by those who cannot swim independently. We may at times use kickboards or noodles as teaching aids for those who can already swim independently.
We highly recommend the use of Coast Guard approved flotation devices in any situation where a non-swimmer or a weak swimmer might accidentally enter the water, such as while boating or playing near the water at a lake or home pool. These devices can also provide an extra measure of safety for strong swimmers in open water situations. However, flotation devices should be removed from non-swimmers when they enter the water to swim for recreation. Children who cannot swim should not wear flotation devices while playing in the water. Children who cannot swim should not be allowed to play in water where they cannot comfortably stand. Children who cannot swim should not be allowed to enter the water unless they are within arms reach of a responsible adult who can swim.
The use of flotation devices dramatically lengthens the time it will take a child to learn how to swim. In addition, it removes the incentive to learn how to swim. A child who is restricted from entering the water without an adult until they learn how to swim has an incentive to learn to swim independently.
Just in case I haven't made myself clear above... Putting arm bands or a flotation suit on your child is as helpful to learning how to swim as tying a brick around his neck. Do not make this mistake with your child. These devices are dangerous. They should not be allowed to be sold or used. Jeanie Neal
We require that swim caps and goggles be worn by all Pool Pirates. Caps and goggles are available at the pool office; or you may wear a cap and/or goggles you purchase elsewhere. You do not have to provide or purchase caps and goggles. We provide them for all our swimmers to use during lessons.
A cap keeps your swimmer significantly warmer during lessons. (Many triathletes use two caps for warmth during their swims.)
A cap causes water to sheet cleanly off a swimmer's head. Hair on the head causes water to drip annoyingly into the face.
Caps keep hair in place and off the face. You do not need to put all or your long hair into your cap. Just tie your hair back or braid it and use the cap over the hair on your head. To our swimmers with buzz cuts: We do not measure swimmers' hair to determine who wears a cap and who doesn't. Caps serve several purposes, not just keeping the hair out of your face.
Our coaches hold onto the swimmers' heads during the lessons. It is much easier to hold and position the head properly when a swimmer is wearing a cap.
Wearing a cap improves your ability to learn to swim during lessons.
Most swimmers are more comfortable during lessons if they are wearing properly fitted goggles. We provide goggles for every swimmer at every lesson. If swimmers are comfortable swimming with good head position without goggles, we do not require their use.
To check to see if your goggles fit properly: Put on your goggles without the strap. They should suck right onto your eye sockets. If you cannot get enough suction to shake your head gently without the goggles falling off, they will leak in the water. Price is not a good indication of whether goggles will work or not. You need to try them on before you buy them. Everyone's face is different. A $5 pair of goggles may be just the right shape for your face. Prescription goggles are available. See Coach Neal if you need information on these.
Head Position
Body Position
Arms & Legs
Timing
Hands & Feet
Efficient swimming using is only possible when the head and body are positioned correctly. When learning stroke mechanics, the specific movements of the hands and feet and the larger movements of the arms and legs do not matter until/unless the swimmer has achieved a streamlined position with the head held inline with the spine. Just the slight motion of lifting the head toward the spine doubles the drag from the water.
Until a swimmer can maintain a streamlined floating position in both the prone and back positions, the bulk of the lesson will be spent with the coach helping the swimmer to maintain a proper head and body position. The coach may have the swimmer continue to practice arm movements, but the focus is on learning proper head and body position. Often parents will become frustrated during this time as we have swimmers repeating "Tickle - T - Touch" again and again on the back. The arm movements are almost irrelevant. The focus is really on positioning the swimmer's head in the proper position while the swimmer learns to position his/her own body in a such a manner that it floats.
Most people have heard that swimming is a good exercise for the entire body. This is true and is readily apparent when watching a youngster learning to swim. Trunk muscles that have never been exercised before are brought into play as the swimmer learns to position is body to float. Sometimes it takes a while to find those muscles even when a swimmer is not afraid to float. Swimmers who are reluctant to float independently sometimes take a bit longer.
The importance of streamlined floating is the reason why we do not add leg movements until a swimmer can maintain balanced floating without them. Often swimmers use their legs to kick to maintain proper body position. We want the kick to be entirely propulsive. We teach our swimmers to learn to balance their head and body positions without help from their legs so when we add in the legs the effort used to kick will not be wasted on maintaining streamline, but will be used to move through the water.
Once swimmers have mastered the ability to float, balanced and relaxed in the water, the focus moves to teaching proper stroke mechanics for all of the arm movements.
Improvements in a swimmer's performance depend on two factors: skill acquisition and growth. Growth is a natural benefit that an swimmer will have as they continue with swimming. But growth will only improve a swimmer's ability to a certain degree. The continued success of a swimmer will remain only if the basic principles of body position and stroke technique are learned by the swimmer and reinforced by the coach.
SKILLS PROGRESSION
Everyone needs to learn the FACE-UP FIRSTS first. After that it doesn't matter in what order you learn the advanced skills. Coaches may use their discretion and creative energy in teaching the competitive strokes, diving, and treading water. However, most swimmers learn swimming skills in the order listed below. You can most likely expect to see your swimmer learning the strokes as listed here. Some swimmers just naturally take to one stroke and may master that stroke right away while continuing to struggle with others. It is important to know that one stroke is no more important than another. All strokes should be practiced until mastery is achieved. All strokes are learned using our First Things First method of Head Position, Body Position, Arms & Legs, Timing, and Hands & Feet.
Typical Skills Progression
STUFF WE KNOW THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Learning to swim is an essential life skill.
"Water adaptation" is a waste of precious time and potentially dangerous. We do not get children adapted to the water, we teach children how to swim.
It is entirely appropriate and healthy to be afraid of the water if you do not know how to swim.
Most of the time fear of the water is not based on any experience with or event in or near the water. It is an irrational fear, meaning it is not based on actual events.
The presence or absence of fear is irrelevant to the necessity or method of learning to swim.
Swimming is really fun!
TEACHING METHOD
Coming soon!
PRACTICE MAKES HABIT - ONLY PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
The best way to learn to swim and to improve stroke technique is by taking short turns with relatively few, hopefully perfect, strokes followed by immediate feedback from the coach and a chance to try again. Practice makes habit; only perfect practice makes perfect. We try to maximize the time we have with our swimmers by giving them multiple chances to practice and receive feedback. We do not want to work swimmers to the point of fatigue at any time. When swimmers become fatigued, their stroke techniques start to degrade in even the best conditioned and disciplined athletes. Pool Pirates should feel physically energized after their practice, not physically drained.
Once a swimmer learns to swim with efficient stroke technique he/she should consider swimming as an excellent choice for regular exercise. We offer lap swimming and a developmental competitive program here at B-T Aquatics. See THIS WEEK AT B-T AQUATICS for the lap swim hours and ask your coach to learn more about the Voyager Program.
Many Pool Pirates move right on to swim teams directly from lessons before they pass our graduation tests. However, some Pool Pirates, many of whom have already learned stroke mechanics that are sufficient for joining a swim team, elect to continue with Pool Pirates Swimming. These swimmers may be ready to swim longer distances, however, Pool Pirates classes are not designed for lap swimming. The Mission of Pool Pirates Swimming is as follows: We provide training and encouragement for swimmers to achieve a reasonable assurance of face-up comfort and lifesaving endurance in the water, and subsequently, development of advanced swimming techniques.
Lifesaving endurance is measured by completion of our FACE-UP FIRSTS! Skills taught after the FIRSTS! hopefully develop advanced swimming technique. Although we recognize the importance of physical fitness, physical conditioning is not part of the mission for the Pirates.
We recommend independent practice and lap swimming for all our swimmers after they become proficient at even one stroke. We recognize and reward the development of swimming strength and swimming endurance by offering our Pool Pirates Graduation tests. Graduation from Pool Pirates Swim School, just like graduation from any school, requires that homework be done on the part of the students. Students who practice the techniques learned in class on their own will develop the strength and endurance required to pass the two graduation tests.
Seven Seas Endurance Challenge: Complete a 200-yard swim consisting of 100 yards of continuous crawl stroke followed by 100-yards of continuous backstroke.
Captain's License Stroke Proficiency Challenge: Complete a 100-yard swim consisting of 25-yards each of fly, back, breast, and crawl strokes.
Occasionally, we must cancel lessons due to mechanical problems or instructor availability issues. In the event of such cancellations we offer make-up lessons or credit toward future sessions.
We do not provide make-up lessons for conditions beyond our control, most notably weather conditions.
We do not offer make-ups for lessons missed due to illness or conflicts with other activities.
We do not offer make-ups. However, your time slot is yours to use. You don't have to lose it if your child is ill or if you have a scheduling conflict. You may switch time slots with a friend for another day or you may send your next door neighbor to use your time slot if you can't make it to a class. This is yet another advantage of our no level system!
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Back Float |
Back Swim |
Independent Back Swim |
Back Recovery at Wall |
Back Recovery to Feet |
Jump in and recover to back |
Walk the Plank |
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15 feet Start from standing position |
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BROWNELL-TALBOT SCHOOL, founded 1863 is Nebraska’s only private, independent, college preparatory school for grades preschool through 12. Our students come from throughout the Omaha metropolitan area to enjoy our family focused environment and to benefit from small classes, a challenging curriculum, and opportunities to participate in clubs and sports.
Click for more information: www.brownell.edu