03/26/2026
I just launched an updated intake form for Summer 2026 Swim Lessons! Sign up early so you get a spot. Link in comments. :)
**Are you open to hosting other swimmers in exchange for discounted/free swim lessons? Let's chat! All we need is a pool and access to a bathroom. Compensation is negotiable.**
Swim With Alison LLC is a fully registered, licensed, and insured business. I have robust insurance that covers all of my clients, regardless of location.
07/24/2025
Such a great reminder!
If swim lessons look repetitive, thereโs a really good reason for it.
In order to build muscle memory and core competency itโs essential to practice the same skill over and over before adding new skills.
We might work on a flip to float half of a lesson for multiple sessions, but itโs to rewire the brain to choose the safer option every time.
Demonstrating mastery 1-2 times then moving on isnโt as productive as you may think!
Repetition : a young brainโs favourite way to learn.
The brain loves to be ACTIVE to fire and wire to make new connections. In the pool repetition can be a childโs: safe harbour: they love the familiar and the predictable. Repetition is essential for building muscle memory, coordination, and automaticity.
I was supporting a swim professional last week with their whole baby and toddler swim programme, itโs all part of becoming Aqua Sensory Certified. We go through what YOU need.
When lesson planning itโs easy to look for MORE ideas, MORE activities - but I noticed some golden swim keys that were just not being repeated enough in their schemes and plans.
โTry to repeat the activity for the skill in a layered approach ten times, rather than a different activity each week.โ Was my advice.
Our swim scheme and skill ladders in the course really resonated with them.
What do you feel about repetition? I would love to know.
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Become Aqua Sensory Certified and be fully supported. This is made for aquatic professionals who really want to deepen and transform their practices, to become sensory aware and put the child at the centre of everything they do.
07/21/2025
FAQ: Can anyone teach swim lessons?
๐ฃTechnically, yes but experience matters. Just as you wouldnโt trust your car to an untrained mechanic, you shouldn't entrust your or your childโs safety in the water to someone without proven expertise.
๐Swimming is a life-saving skill, and quality instruction can make all the difference. While many people offer lessons, what sets great coaching apart is the ability to deliver personalized, effective, and safe instruction grounded in both knowledge and experience.
๐๐With over 16 years of swim teaching experience, I bring a deep understanding of technique, progressions, and individual learning styles.
๐งโโ๏ธIโm trained to Red Cross standards, teach academic swimming courses at the University of Virginia, and am a former collegiate synchronized swimmer. Additionally, I am a certified adult and children's yoga instructor so I know how to incorporate mindfulness into all of my lessons
๐Iโm also a proud member of the Superhero Swim University community of coaches, and my swim school is accredited by the International Swim School Association.
๐๐When you swim with me, you're getting more than just lessons โ you're getting a professional approach backed by credentials, passion, and results.
Booking mobile lessons now!
07/20/2025
This is why I do affirmations with ALL my students from toddlers to college students!
When Toddlers SAY it!
When Toddlers FEEL it!
When Toddlers SENSE it!
The magic happens. ๐ฅ BOOM!
During AQUA SHARE we talked about the power of the child building their self esteem, feeling safe, seen and heard.
We shared affirmations a Toddler could boldly say:
๐ง Iโm strong : practicing climbing out on their own.
๐ง I can do it: self realisation of their capabilities
๐ง Iโm brave : diving to collect treasure for the first time
AQUA SHARE ripples and waves ๐
noebel shared her amazing program full of affirmations and inspired us all. Barbara shared with us the magic of seeing children grow their water confidence, share in their own swim success.
Watch out for the next AQUA SHARE and inspiration for your classes too.
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Share with us your swim triumphs join our growing community: in Aqua Sensory Connections Facebook or our newsletter freebies where we discuss child development in water. We love to put the child at the centre of everything we do to thrive in and out of the water.
07/20/2025
What do we do in swim lessons when itโs thundering?
We pivot!
We practice drills and strengthen our form on dry land while we wait out the storm!
07/17/2025
Beautiful pool I had the privilege of teaching at last fall! This little kiddo made so much progress from super fearful to confident floater.
07/13/2025
I'm so excited to add the International Swim School Association to my list of credentials! My membership with this organization gives me access to countless training modules from infancy to adulthood. I am currently completing the First Impressions - A Sensory Approach to Baby Swim Lessons and I am learning so much!
A lot of it is things I intuitively knew to do, but there's plenty I will change about my curriculum moving forward. I look forward to helping your little one thrive in the water!
12/05/2024
One of my UVA Swimming for Fitness students just made me cry in an email! Comments like this make it ALL worth it!
"I would also just like to add that this was by far my favorite class of the semester and the highlight of my weeks. You are a great coach and I will miss this class so much, it reignited my love for swimming! I also really loved how you had us do affirmations at the end of every class, it led me to do them in my own time."
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