Miss Laura's Swim Lessons

QUESTION: Where can someone learn true survival swim for babies at an affordable rate?

I was an American Red Cross lifeguard for 26 years. Lifeguard Instructor. Water Safety​​ Instructor- I took my training from ARC, YMCA, and Elmer’s and developed my own curriculum. I teach kids to float independently starting at about 2 or 3 years old. They can fully swim by about 5. Then I work on stroke technique. No one is ever allowed to hold their breath but rather to breath in above water and out below water (bubbles.)

Standard swim lessons are awful. It’s playtime and exploring . It makes people think their kid is accomplishing something when they are not, not really. I HATED teaching for organizations that taught those lessons. “Entering the water independently” is not an actual skill. They can fall in and smile and it’s a check. So long as they don’t freak out, it’s good. The last program I taught at wouldn’t ACTUALLY teach anyone a basic stroke until they were 8 years old. It was ridiculous. I had to quit. I could not teach that. It was crap.

But I have never figured out how to teach babies the roll and float “survival swim”. I have gotten a few babies to do it, but not consistently enough to claim how. Older kids and adults? Oh yes. My specialty was adults who never learned and were deeply terrified. I gave them the skills they needed to save themselves, to be safe. But babies under 2? Total mystery.

But I just had a baby. She is 3 months old. I looked into Infant Survival Swim. I have seen it work. I know it is a trusted system. But it is $1500!!! I have dedicated more than half my life to drowning prevention. But I cannot afford that. FOR MY OWN DAUGHTER I CANT AFFORD A DROWNING PREVENTION PROGRAM I KNOW WORKS.

No matter how much I know it works, how important that is. We just don’t have it. I charged $90 for 5 30-minute private lessons at their home pool, and most of my clients were upper middle class to be able to afford me at that rate. I was not cheap by most people’s standards, but I had to make a living. I gave away free lessons and volunteered for a lot of programs. I taught in apartment complexes I lived in at no charge. I knew kids were at risk and I didn’t want cost to prevent safety. I DRILLED water safety to all my clients. All the things- eyes on the water, no cell phones, no going inside/to the car, etc. I taught the entire family about pool rules, 911, reach or throw to rescue someone without getting in. I taught CPR and choking. It was all hands on with dummies. I ran drills and scenarios. I told parents and my students very frankly where their kids were. “They can’t swim alone, they are not capable. No child is drown proof. Your fearless child terrifies me because they do not respect the water.” MISS LAURA NEVER SWIMS ALONE. Lifeguard certified merwranglers accompany every mermaid to every event. I lived and breathed water safety, not just while teaching but as a mermaid, and as a stunt woman who worked in water. But I know more could be done for my students. I just didn’t have the tools.

I want, NEED, those tools now. And so do MILLIONS of families. Basic survival should not be cost prohibitive. Someone somewhere has got to have an affordable program. A method. A YouTube video that requires getting in the pool and practicing. SOMETHING has to be out there that I can use and send to my clients. Trust me- I would GIVE away swim lessons for free to everyone if I could. But it requires a knowledgeable instructor in the water day after day to get results. I need that instructor to show me so I can pass it on to others. This info should NOT be a trade secret.

Thoughts? Advice?

My kid is worth so much more than $1500. But she needs a place to live and health insurance to pay for her surgeries. Etc etc. We are barely surviving life. I can’t afford to prevent drowning. ME. There has to be a solution.

** IT’S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY!!! **
🏊‍♀️
Miss Laura is not teaching summer of 2022 or 2023.

All her focus will be on the next swimming and/or diving Olympic star.

You can follow Miss Laura's adventures on her webpage, www.LauraLWatson.com

BE SAFE!

⛑

Miss Laura is not offering swim or dive lessons for summer 2021. I have a full time dry job PLUS a part time job, and I am not able to commit to a full series of lessons.

If you need a recommendation for an instructor in your area, please reach out. The time to book is NOW.

Fort Worth- The Fort Worth Swim School
Arlington- City of Arlington Pools
Denton- Swim 380
For concierge lifeguards, please contact LifeguardsDFW
For mermaids, mermen, and pirates, please contact The MerFriends.

In general: Your instructor MUST be certified AND insured. Coaches and former competitive swimmers are great, but certification is essential. Always have a lifeguard or designated water monitor on duty during lessons, too.

ISS (Infant Survival Swim) is fantastic for those under age 3. They will not teach technique or form like traditional swim lessons, but they will KEEP YOUR CHILD ALIVE until they can master those skills, too.

Check out your local Natatorium or college campus fitness center where swim teams practice. They will often offer lessons as well, so you will get a certified teacher who is also a coach. Bonus- they are indoors and year-round.

AquaTots, Emlers, the YMCA, etc can be good for the right student at the right time with the right teacher. The same can be said of community centers, gyms, and anywhere else there is a pool. If there is water, there is an instructor not far away. It's about finding a qualified instructor whose curriculum and teaching style fits the student.

Lessons ARE offered for students with special needs at every place I have recommended. Often times, the best way to find a qualified instructor who has experience with your specific situation is via your other therapy instructors. Don't be afraid to ask.

And you are never too old to learn to swim. Adults are HIGHLY encouraged to take swimming lessons, too!

Above all, remember the most important pool rule of all time:

BE SAFE.

- Miss Laura

** IT’S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY!!! **

Miss Laura has finished swim lessons 2020. Thank you to all my swim students and their support teams for making this a WONDERFUL swim season. I look forward to receiving your photo and video updates as swimmers practice and enjoy the water safely.

You can follow Miss Laura's adventures on her webpage, www.LauraLWatson.com

BE SAFE!




Please do not message this page, call or text her about swim lessons. The BEST way to reach her and keep her organized is through her webpage.

** IT’S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY!!! **

Miss Laura was invited to be a part of an upcoming reality series created by Sheran Goodspeed Keyton. In this episode, she helped an adult overcome a true phobia of the water so to make her mermaid dream a reality. Then, she assisted during the mermaid photo and video shoot as the water coach and in-water lifeguard. In this photo, Miss Laura is in the water helping her face her fear so to get the underwater mermaid shot she's always dreamed of. It just goes to show that it's never too late to face a fear, gain a new skill, and even achieve a dream.

If you have a fear of water, Miss Laura would LOVE to help you too! Miss Laura still has availability the last week of July AND in August for swimming AND diving lessons. You can register online at www.LauraLWatson.com/SwimLessons.html. Please do not message this page, call or text her about swim lessons. The BEST way to reach her and keep her organized is through her webpage.

BE SAFE!




Photo credit: Freddie Watkins. Directed by Timothy Walker, Jr.

** IT’S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY!!! **

It’s true- Miss Laura’s favorite TV show as a kid was Baywatch. One of her students this past week said that was his favorite show, too. When he learned Miss Laura isn’t just a swim teacher but a REAL lifeguard, it was game on! So, for a treat, Miss Laura brought her lifeguard equipment for safety day and taught him a few things. She greatly enjoyed passing on her love of lifeguarding and aquatic safety to the next generation. For many, it’s a cool summer job. For a select few, it becomes a calling.

Miss Laura still has availability the last week of July for swimming AND diving lessons. She is available 10am-8pm Monday-Friday. You can register online at www.LauraLWatson.com/SwimLessons.html


BE SAFE!

** IT’S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY!!! **

Miss Laura loves the pictures and little mementos students often give her on their final day of swim lessons. Here is a picture one drew of Miss Laura just last week. It proudly hangs on her fridge! Though all the gifts she has received over the years would not fit on her fridge, Miss Laura has kept every single one (including a my little pony figurine and a real Braum’s ice cream scoop!) They are some of her favorite treasures.

Miss Laura sold out the first three weeks of swim lessons, but she still has LOTS of availability in July for swimming AND diving lessons. She is available 10am-8pm Monday-Friday. You can register online at www.LauraLWatson.com/SwimLessons.html

Please spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors about my swim lessons. My husband and I have both been laid off, so this is our only source of income while our industry remains shut down. (Theater and Large Events) If you have access to a pool, I will come to you. No travel restrictions and same prices as the last few years!

Thank you everyone and please BE SAFE!

*** IT'S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY ***

Did you know Miss Laura was a competitive diver and even had a small college scholarship for diving? When she gets to teach in a pool at least 10 feet deep, she takes full advantage of it!

Miss Laura sold out the first three weeks of swim lessons, but she still has LOTS of availability in July for swimming AND diving lessons. She is available 10am-8pm Monday-Friday. You can register online at www.LauraLWatson.com/SwimLessons.html

Please spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors about my swim lessons. My husband and I have both been laid off, so this is our only source of income while our industry remains shut down. (Theater and Large Events) Most of the community pools and gyms are either closed or are not allowing any guests. But, if you have access to a pool, I will come to you. No travel restrictions and same prices as the last few years!

Thank you everyone and please BE SAFE!

*** IT'S SWIM LESSON SUNDAY ***

Miss Laura has MORE availability beginning June 22. She is available 10am-8pm Monday-Friday as well as weekend sessions. You can register online at www.LauraLWatson.com/SwimLessons.html

Please spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors about my swim lessons. Most of the community pools and gyms are either closed or are not allowing any guests. But, if you have access to a pool, I will come to you. No travel restrictions and same prices as the last few years!

Thank you everyone and please BE SAFE!

I just wanted to post a quick update: I had some technical issues with getting the registration forms in the right spot. I THINK I have it fixed. If you submitted over the weekend and have not received a response by 2pm today, June 11, please return to my webpage and submit again.

Also, I have MORE weekday availability now available on the registration form.

June 15-19 has sold out!

PLEASE share my information. Gas fee is waived if 3 or more lessons can be booked at the same location.

BE SAFE!

www.LauraLWatson.com/SwimLessons.html

Miss Laura's Swim Lessons