Policies
We understand that plans can change. Because our instructors are paid based on lessons completed, cancellations and schedule changes made with limited notice significantly reduce our ability to fill that time with another lesson. Frequent changes also require additional scheduling and administrative time.
Our policies are designed to allow reasonable flexibility while protecting the time reserved for our clients and instructors.
STANDARD CANCELLATIONS
Lessons may be canceled at no charge with at least 48 hours' notice. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled lesson time are subject to the full lesson charge. Late cancellation charges will be processed to the card on file at the time of cancellation.
ILLNESS
Cancellations due to illness are subject to the same 48-hour cancellation policy.
CANCELLATIONS
WEATHER & POOL TEMPERATURE
Lessons are not canceled due to rain, cooler weather, or cold pool temperatures. Hamptons Swim will cancel or delay lessons when conditions make swimming unsafe, including thunder, lightning, or significant downpours. Weather decisions are made close to the scheduled lesson time because conditions can change quickly.
We recommend maintaining the pool at an appropriate swimming temperature, particularly for infants and younger swimmers. For swimmers who are sensitive to cooler water or air temperatures, we recommend a wetsuit or other appropriate swimwear. [View our recommended wetsuit here.]
If a client chooses not to proceed with a lesson due to weather, air temperature, or water temperature when Hamptons Swim has determined that conditions are safe for swimming, the standard cancellation or rescheduling policy applies.
CANCELLATIONS MADE BY HAMPTONS SWIM
We make every reasonable effort to maintain scheduled instructors and lesson times. However, changes may be necessary due to instructor illness, emergencies, staffing changes, traffic, unsafe weather conditions, or other circumstances outside our control.If Hamptons Swim cancels a lesson and is unable to provide an appropriate substitute, the client will not be charged for that lesson.
RESCHEDULES
Lessons may be rescheduled at no charge with at least 48 hours' notice, subject to availability.
Requests to reschedule less than 48 hours before a lesson are considered late reschedules and are subject to a $25 rebooking fee.
ALL rescheduling is subject to instructor availability, and Hamptons Swim cannot guarantee an alternate date, time, or instructor.
If the rescheduled lesson is canceled or changed again, the lesson remains subject to the cancellation policy that was in effect when the initial change was made.
RESERVED LESSON TIME
Lesson charges are based on the full amount of instructor time reserved. If a client books a block of time for multiple swimmers and one or more swimmers do not participate, the full reserved time remains subject to charge. For example, a 60-minute lesson cannot be shortened to 30 minutes at the time of the lesson.
Requests to shorten a scheduled lesson are subject to the standard 48-hour cancellation policy. Changes made within 48 hours will not reduce the original lesson charge.
BOOKINGS, DEPOSITS & PACKAGES
BOOKING REQUIREMENTS
Before booking, all new clients must complete and sign our Water Safety Agreement and Credit Card Authorization and pay the required non-refundable deposit. Deposits will be applied toward lessons.
DEPOSITS & PACKAGE EXPIRATION
Deposits and lesson packages are valid for one year from the date of purchase. All deposits and packages are non-refundable.
RECURRING, STANDARD, & PRIME TIME RESERVATIONS
Recurring lessons are reserved specifically for your schedule and may limit our ability to accommodate other clients during those hours. Consistent attendance is required to maintain a standing reservation.
If more than 25% of scheduled lessons are canceled at the client's request during the season, Hamptons Swim reserves the right to release any remaining recurring reservations. Cancellations or schedule changes initiated by Hamptons Swim do not count toward this threshold.
Our most requested lesson hours are 9:00–11:00 AM and 3:00–5:00 PM, when availability is limited. If a prime-time lesson is canceled or rescheduled, we cannot guarantee another prime-time appointment or availability with the same instructor. Frequent cancellations, rescheduling, or changes may result in remaining recurring prime-time reservations being released and offered to another client.
We are happy to continue scheduling lessons based on current availability; however, the original recurring day, time, or instructor may no longer be available.
LIFEGUARDING SERVICES
DEPOSITS
A non-refundable deposit equal to one hour of lifeguarding is required before a lifeguarding booking can be confirmed. This deposit will be applied toward the booking.
POOL PARTIES
We require one lifeguard for every 20 people in the pool area.
OPEN WATER, OCEAN, OVERNIGHT, & SPECIAL EVENTS
For open water and ocean lifeguarding, as well as overnight and special event lifeguarding, we require a minimum of two lifeguards at all times for safety purposes.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES
SWIM DIAPERS
Children who are not potty trained must wear a swim diaper during lessons.
OCEAN LESSON SAFETY
All ocean lessons must take place at a bay or ocean location with a lifeguard on duty.
TRAVEL FEE
All lessons on Shelter Island are subject to a $15 per-lesson travel fee to supplement ferry transportation costs.
PARKING
Each beach has its own parking permit rules. If parking fees apply and the instructor or lifeguard does not have a valid parking pass, the client is responsible for covering the parking cost.