Preparing for 7-Day Swim

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions page for important information about what to expect in your lesson week.

The week before your swim session, you will receive 1) an electronic swim waiver for your review and signature, and 2) an email with important details of your lesson week, including the host pool address. It is very important that you sign the waiver and review the information in the email prior to your lesson start date. Your child will not be allowed to swim without a signed Client Agreement.

Please note that if you need to contact Coach Marci during a 7-Day Swim week, she cannot answer her phone while she is in the water for lessons. If there is inclement weather, we will call you if the lesson is cancelled. Otherwise, please arrive on time. You can reach us by email at marci@marciswim.com anytime. Thank you!

Tips for a Successful Lesson Week

  • Almost all children will cry during the first few days, but we ask that you trust the method. Coach Marci is extremely experienced in the process and will earn your child’s trust. Coaches take a holistic approach and strive for a calm, loving, low-energy environment, transferring that calming energy to the child and winning their trust. Have patience that your child WILL learn to swim in 7 days. You can learn more about what to expect in our FAQs.

  • We welcome you to watch your child’s lessons! However, to eliminate distractions, we ask that you sit at the far end of the pool or away from the immediate lesson area and that you please not “coach” your child from the sidelines.

  • Please be aware that taking photos and videos during lessons is often distracting to swimmers, so we ask that you only do so subtly and from a distance. Your coach will encourage photos and video recording when appropriate.

  • It is best to only have 1 caregiver attend the lessons, and preferably the same person every day. We invite both parents to participate on days 6 and 7.

  • On the final two days of lessons, we will show you how to continue teaching your child in the water. Coach Marci encourages you to make plans to swim Saturday and Sunday AFTER your 6th lesson if you are able. The last two days in particular are important to get in the water and swim separate from your lesson.

  • Try to maintain a calm and confident disposition. Kids can feel your anxiety. Trust the method!

Lesson Duration

  • Swim lessons take place over seven 7 consecutive days, beginning on Monday and continuing daily through Sunday (unless noted) at your assigned time.

  • Daily lessons are scheduled in 20 minute increments at the same time each day, with approximately 10-20 minutes in the water. Lessons will start and end on time.

  • For the final 2 days of the session week, it is very important that at least one parent or guardian get in the water to learn how to continue training their child to be safe in the water. This is a key part of Coach Marci’s 7-Day Swim method. If an adult is not ready to swim, your lessons may be rescheduled or cancelled.

Lesson Preparation

  • Please do not eat 2 hours before your lesson.

  • During the week of lessons please minimize fruit, dairy, and other foods your child may be sensitive to if possible.

  • A swim diaper is required for ALL children age 3 and under, AND for children of ANY age who are not potty trained. along with a secondary protective cover is required. You can purchase these waterproof membranes online.

  • Do NOT bring goggles or floatation devices to lessons.

  • Bring a dry towel and a change of clothes.

Mentally preparing children for swim is crucially important for their success in the water, especially if they are nervous about it. To get them ready, start preparing early. Read books to them about swimming and show them videos of children swimming underwater on YouTube (Marci is happy to make recommendations). Have them dive for toys in the bathtub, submerging their heads. Practice pouring water over their heads, saying “Ready, set, go!” as a prompt. Be honest and forthcoming with your child, letting them know ahead of your session that you are taking them to swim lessons and they will be going under water in the pool. Let them know that there’s water everywhere and it’s important that they learn how to swim for their safety - like wearing a bicycle helmet or sitting in a car seat. Tell them that it’s going to be awesome and fun! Talk to your friends who have gone through the program. Parents who prepare their children for lessons have the best success.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing at least 2-weeks prior to your session start date in order to receive a refund (less the non-refundable deposit amount). We will do our best to help find you an opening in a later session if you need to cancel, but please note that NO refunds will be guaranteed for cancellations made within the 2-week window.