Frequently Asked Questions
About Us
What guidelines do you follow for teaching and evaluating swimmers?
Lessons and benchmarks are structured to the American Red Cross Water Safety and Instruction Standards.
What months do you teach lessons?
Our main season in the Hamptons is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Weather dependent, we do lessons in May, September and October. In New York City though, we offer lessons year round!
How does the process work to get swim lessons?
We make booking easy. After learning about your swimmer and schedule, we'll carefully match you with the instructor best suited to your goals. Your instructor travels directly to you, and our administrative team is always available to help with scheduling and questions.
Can we come to you to take swim lessons?
Unfortunately at this time we are still a mobile only company. If you don’t have a pool at your house (or building), but have access to one through a friend or family member, we are happy to accommodate that way!
Can the owner Liz come to teach my child(ren)?
Liz only does lessons in the summer in the Hamptons and since she has the highest demand, she doesn’t have a lot of room in her schedule. We have many instructors though, that Liz personally vets and we’d be happy to set you up with one of them!
Pools
What temperature should I set my pool heater to?
Pool temperatures are recommended to be at least 87 degrees. The ideal pool temperature to teach younger children is 90 degrees. The warmer the water, the more comfortable your child will be!
I don’t have a pool heater (or my heater doesn’t work that well) and my child gets cold during lessons. What can I do?
A properly fitting wetsuit, scheduling lessons during the warmest part of the day, and other simple strategies can help make your child more comfortable in cooler water.
We have recommendations for wetsuits (and other gear) here.
Swim Lessons
What ages do you teach?
We start as young as 6 months and go all the way up to adults! (So far our oldest client is 103!)
So I'm not too old to learn as an adult?
Absolutely not! Whether you’re learning for the first time or returning to the water after years away, it’s never too late to build confidence and learn life-saving skills
Do you teach ISR?
We do not. ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) focuses on survival after an accidental fall, while traditional swim lessons teach water safety, confidence, and the skills needed to become an independent swimmer. We believe both safety and skill matter. To learn more in depth why we do not practice this, here is our blog that gives more information.
Do swim lessons guarantee my child will not drown?
No, swim lessons DO NOT make your child drown-proof. However, they will greatly increase their chance of staying safe in and around the water by teaching essential survival skills, building confidence, and improving body awareness.
How many lessons will it take for my child (or myself) to learn to swim?
Every swimmer learns at their own pace, so there isn’t a one size fits all answer. Progress depends on factors like comfort and confidence in the water, lesson consistency, coordination, readiness to learn, and quality instructor — so stay patient, stay consistent, and remember that every lesson builds confidence and lifelong water safety skills.
What will my baby learn during swim lessons?
Infant swim lessons focus on building water confidence through play while introducing foundational skills like floating, kicking, breath control, and safe pool entries and exits—laying the foundation for future swimming success
What do I do if my child is afraid of water?
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Support your child—don't lose hope!
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Keep water experiences positive.
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Be patient and celebrate small wins.
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Consider swim lessons to help build confidence.
How long should my child's lesson be?
Our recommendation:
6 months - 3 years = about 30 minutes
3-5 years = about 30-45 minutes
5-7 = about 45 minutes
7-10 = about 45-60 minutes
10 + older = about 60 minutes
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These recommendations closely align with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross, but every swimmer is different. ​At Hamptons Swim, our play based curriculum is engaging, interactive, and full of games that keep swimmers motivated while they learn. Many of our families take swim lessons seasonally rather than year round, so making the most of each lesson can have a big impact. More time in the water, combined with consistent lessons often leads to greater confidence, stronger skills, and faster progress!
Can my children (or their friends) take swim lessons together?
Sibling (or friend) lessons work best when swimmers are close in age and skill level. If not, private lessons help each child progress at their own pace.