Frequently Asked Questions about Swimming

We’d love for you to start swimming as soon as possible!

To get started, please complete our Registration Pack , including the signup and indemnity forms, and schedule your swimming lesson(s) with our office.

Then, you’ll be ready to start!

We do not offer trial lessons, as our instructors invest significant time into each swimmer’s individual lesson plan.

However, we do provide a satisfaction guarantee, and you are welcome to pay after your first lesson.

Our admin staff will recommend the best lesson type for you based on your previous experience. During your first session, our instructors will then confirm if that level is the perfect fit.

If there is a mismatch, we will reschedule your sessions to a lesson type that better suits your abilities.

We try our best to group swimmers with similar abilities; however, we cannot always guarantee perfect placement as it is often subject to swimmers’ availability.

Our qualified and highly experienced instructors each work on specific days of the week.

This means that you may experience more than one instructor if you’re coming for swimming lessons on different days of the week.

Our lesson plans are structured so that a similar weekly lesson outcome is achieved from all instructors, but they may be delivered slightly differently depending on the instructor for the day.

Groups are limited to a maximum of:
2 swimmers per lesson in our Small Pool
4 swimmers per lesson in our Middle Pool, and
5 swimmers per lesson in our Big Pool

We’ve found these class sizes offer maximum learning opportunity for swimmers through peer demonstration and rest time.
We do however try spread swimming lesson bookings evenly so that class sizes are limited.

Don’t stress.

Swimmers are welcome to come to as many swimming lessons per week as their time allows, provided we have availability.

This would be a swimming ‘crash course’ type of arrangement.

We say two lessons per week is optimal, but learning rates improve the more you practice.

You can take your newly acquired swimming abilities on holiday with you to show off your swimming skills on the beach or at the resorts, or just to simply chill and enjoy the water.

Absolutely. We encourage swimmers to learn with people they know. We can certainly accommodate group bookings as long as there is enough space in the lessons.

We also offer gift vouchers 🙂

Yes, we have 45-minute Aqua Aerobics sessions on Wednesday mornings, guided by a experienced fitness instructor.

More info about our Aqua Aerobics here:
https://www.starsswimschool.com/learn-to-swim-cape-town/adult-aqua-water-aerobics/

We have a 4,10 or 20 lesson-package pricing structure.
Please request an updated swimming lesson pricelist on our contact page, or using the form below.

We prefer to handle bookings personally to ensure we find the best possible fit for your schedule.

Please message us with your preferred days/times, and we will send over all available options that match.

We have a card machine at our reception, otherwise we also accept EFT payments.
(Cash payment by arrangement only).

We have Stars-branded swimming caps (lycra cloth material and silicone types) for sale at our offices. Please enquire about pricing.

Only (any) swimming cap is compulsory for lessons, and we don’t prescribe any set swimming uniform or costumes, and rather say “wear what’s comfortable” for your swimming lesson.

We also stock Swimma Caps for people with longer hair or braids.

You’ll need to please let us know if you’re unable to attend the lesson at least 12 hours before the lesson starts – regardless of the reason – so that the missed lesson can be marked as ‘absent’ and therefore NOT count towards your lesson package credits.

‘Last minute’ cancellations will be charged for, to cover the instructor’s time.

Please see our attendance policy below for more information:

We provide invoices on request. These can be emailed to you immediately after your payment is confirmed.

Please get in touch with our Office.

Lessons that fall on a public holiday can either be moved to the end of your lesson package, or arranged to be made up at another available (and suitable) swimming lesson time (possibly with a different Instructor).

Please kindly reschedule make-up lessons with our office.

We work with a flexible lesson timetable, so you are more than welcome to change your lesson day and/or time if the change is made in advance.
Please ensure you check with the office about lesson availability.

Yes of course. We encourage learning new skills together with people with whom you are familiar.

We are happy to accommodate group bookings as long as our we have lesson availability (space) allows.

No we don’t run in conjunction with the school calendar, we are open throughout the year.
We usually take a short break and close for the December festive season.

We don’t recommend taking a break from learning any skill as it disrupts the learning cycle needed for progression. If you absolutely have to take a break, then please let the office know so that your lesson credits can be placed on hold.

We are fortunate to have an indoor and heated swimming pool facility. We don’t encourage winter breaks because they do break the learning cycle, and we’ve found that swimmers who take an extended break often need to re-learn key foundation skills and confidence in the water before they continue with new skill acquisition.

You are welcome to watch the lessons from the viewing room.

Parents are asked not to disturb and distract kids during their lessons by being visible on pool deck.

Yes, our pools are indoors and heated (typically 32’C) so we are able to continue with lessons throughout winter.

It is not advisable for learners to take a break from swimming during the year especially for young children as they will forget what they have learnt and have to start from the beginning again.

Our qualified and highly experienced instructors each work on specific days of the week.

This means that you may experience more than one instructor if you’re coming for swimming lesson on different days of the week.

Our lesson plans are structured so that a similar weekly lesson outcome is achieved from all instructors, but may be delivered slightly differently depending on the instructor for the day.

We highly recommend trying multiple instructors, each with their unique strengths and teaching styles.

Our admin staff will recommend a lesson type best suited to you, based on your swimming experience and stated previous swimming abilities, and during your first lesson our instructors will gauge if you are a good fit for the recommended lesson type.

If there is a mismatch, we would reschedule lessons to a swimming lesson type which suit your abilities.

We try out best to group swimmers with similar abilities, but cannot always guarantee correct placement, oftentimes also subject to swimmer’s availability.

After swimming, as long as you immediately and thoroughly dry your child and change into warm clothing, they are no longer at risk of developing a cold. We are also fortunate enough to have an indoor and heated swimming pool facility.

There is no set formula for learning to swim. Learning to swim is a long-term process that requires a commitment to regular practice.

Every swimmer progresses at their own rate and will learn the required swimming skills for their swimming level.

Children crying (for whatever reason) is a normal reaction.

Don’t take this as a discouraging sign as each individual learns at their own pace, and when ready. We have the benefit of a group swimming lesson structure where children can learn from eachother, along with experienced instructors.

Most of the time children who are upset before or during lessons can see through peers demonstrating fun and play that they have nothing to worry about.

We do not offer trial lessons as our Instructors invest time into each individual swimmer’s lesson plan and outcomes, but we do have a satisfaction guarantee, and you are welcome to pay after your first lesson.

Children crying (for whatever reason) is a normal reaction.

Don’t take this as a discouraging sign as each individual learns at their own pace, and when ready. We have the benefit of a group swimming lesson structure where children can learn from eachother, along with experienced instructors.

Most of the time children who are upset before or during lessons can see through peers demonstrating fun and play that they have nothing to worry about.

Our instructors have committed to their teaching days.
It is also important to remember our instructors are occasionally absent from work, in which case we’ll notify you about a replacement instructor.

All our instructors are trained to teach in all the pools and is briefed to continue teaching where the instructor has finished off, according to their lesson plans.

Yes of course. We encourage learning new skills together with people with whom you are familiar.

We are happy to accommodate group bookings as long as our we have lesson availability (space) allows.

You are never too old to learn to swim! When you get in the water you will discover that swimming is fun and easy to learn.

The Stars instructors are patient with adults who learn to swim for the first time. We will make every effort to ensure that you are comfortable in the water and learn to love the water.

Yes, it is important to stay on site while your child is swimming. If your child gets sick during the lesson, you are there to call upon. Your child will also feel more comfortable knowing you are close by.

If you want to pursue swim competitively we will gladly introduce you to some of the feeder swimming clubs we’re affiliated with.

There is no set formula for achieving water safety; in fact water will always pose a physical danger, even for the strongest swimmers.

The best thing one can do is to achieve a level of comfort when in water so that you are able to support yourself for a period of time.

At Stars Swimming School we place a large emphasis on floating techniques to achieve this level of water comfort.

We are fortunate to have an indoor and heated swimming pool facility, offering lessons all year round.

Yes.
We have parking in our parking lot which is just off 3rd Avenue.

Alternatively, you are welcome to park in Kromboom Road.

Location pin to our address: https://g.page/StarsSwimSchool?share

We do have shower facilities in our change rooms for a quick rinse after your swim.

We have lockers available poolside for your belongings. Alternatively, you are welcome to use the hanging hooks located along the pool deck.

No, we unfortunately don’t offer any facility hire, apologies.