The SafeSwimSolutions Program was developed by Master Instructor, Gaylynne Sword, who has over 15 years of experience teaching thousands of lessons and training 50 instructors across the US, including myself. Our goal at Safe Swim SoCo is to provide your child with quality, safe, age-appropriate aquatic survival skill attainment while also offering flexibility in the length of lessons and required number of weeks. We will assess and adjust lessons to each student’s needs, considering not only physical readiness, but emotional readiness for the challenges of learning independent survival skills.

Drowning is the leading cause of death and injury for children under 4 years old and the second leading cause of death and injury for children over 5 years old. Despite increased access to swim lessons, drowning statistics among this vulnerable age group continue to rise. Learning how to navigate the water safely at a young age is a vital skill. Aquatic safety lessons help children become competent and confident in the water. We believe that every child has the ability to learn these valuable, life-saving skills while also learning how to play and explore the water safely. SafeSwimSolutions also provides a strong foundation for more developmentally appropriate swim skills as they age (ie. strokes and side-breathing).

SafeSwimSolutions is based in science; namely it honors the way children under six learn to navigate the world. By practicing frequently and consistently, children build muscle memory, coordination, and confidence much more quickly and efficiently than if they only practiced once per week. For those children with medical or motor challenges and those in the special needs community, a medical team coordinates with instructors so that all children learn how to swim safely and make progress. Instructors follow rigorous safety checks before, during, and after lessons to make sure children are making progress safely. After a child is fully skilled, instructors offer additional support and teach parents how to swim with their child, as well as help educate families on barriers of protection to prevent drowning accidents.

Swimming skills are tailored to each child's abilities in our one-on-one lessons. Generally, children 8 months to 3 years old learn how to navigate the water from various presentations, move themselves to the surface, roll onto their back, and maintain an independent float. Some younger children will be ready for basic “swim” instruction, which can be added on after the float is established.

Children older than 3 years will learn a short basic swim before rolling onto their back to rest and breathe, where they will then flip over to continue swimming until they reach the walls, steps, or a parent.

About 86% of drownings occur during non-swim times, so children also practice their self-rescue skills in summer and winter clothing (with a regular diaper and shoes).

As children become more confident and adventurous in the water, we work on how to jump into the pool, float, and swim back to the wall; how to safely dive for swim toys; and how to safely play with others in the water.

SafeSwimSolutions Lessons are developmentally appropriate for children 8 months and up. We work with you and your child slowly, while still making progress in their attainment of these vital aquatic safety skills by tailoring our day-to-day lessons to the needs (physically and developmentally) of your child. We also understand that life is hectic, and try our best to work with your family's schedule to create a program that works for you.