Helene’s learn to swim

ABOUT HELENE…………………..

Helene loves what she does and she gets to do what she loves…and that is to teach swimming. She got her start as a lifeguard/swim instructor when she turned sixteen, at Atsugi Naval Base in Japan. She headed onto college and received a B.A. in Recreation from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. There she was certified through the Red Cross as a Water Safety Instructor. Back in the states, summers after college were spent as Waterfront Director at Lake Holiday, in Somonauk, Illinois. From there she worked at the local YMCA in Aurora, Illinois where she spent 8 years working in several capacities. Four years as a swim instructor, 2 years as the Assistant Aquatic Director and two more as the Aquatic Director. At the “Y” she became certified in their aquatic programs and at one time held all their aquatic credentials totaling ten certifications. She also had to keep up with her Red Cross CPR, First Aid, Lifesaving and Water Safety Instructor “certs”. Also during this time she spent the summers running a swim program at Boulder Terrace Farm in Sandwich, Illinois, at her parent’s backyard pool.

Moving to the desert in 1986 she took a break from swimming and entered the hospitality industry for several years. Then she took another turn and got into office work, working as a production coordinator, meeting planner trade show coordinator and executive assistant for a local marketing firm in Palm Desert. Having sampled the “real world” she found in 1999 that she missed her true calling and returned back to the pool and began “Learn To Swim At Your Pool”, teaching swimming in the privacy and convenience of your pool. Her business grew tremendously and in 2008, “Helene’s Learn To Swim”, a private swim school was founded in Palm Desert, California…her lifelong dream! In 2009 she is entering her 23rd year of teaching swimming.

HELENE’S PHILOSOPHY…

Helene’s philosophy centers on progress, not always perfection in her swim instruction. She genuinely cares about the students she teaches and their swimming experience. It’s important to her that the swimmers enjoy their time with her, while sharing a safe and positive time together. Every swimmer learns a little differently and she is able to offer her clients a diverse and flexible approach to swimming. She takes special care with those who are fearful or apprehensive, realizing their unique needs and concerns.

THE SKILLS PARENT/CHILD…under the age of 3

This program is a water orientation program, where we work with you in working with your child in the water.  It orients the child to enjoy their water experience and to introduce some of the basic swimming skills and readies your child to go with an instructor when they are ready.  It is also a fantastic opportunity for Mom, for Dad, for the both of you to share a fun and rewarding time with your little one in the pool.  It teaches you skills that you can use during your home practice sessions that help to promote your child’s swimming ability.

We cover the following skills:
*Getting used to the water on the face through splashing
*Arm movements
*Kicking
*Learning to reach for the side of the pool and hold onto the side of the pool
*How to climb out of the pool
*Jumping in
*Blowing bubbles
*Passing/swimming short distances to the instructor and back to the parent on top of the
water and eventually under the water
*Introduction to floatation devices such as the noodle, kickboard and other kicking
devices
*Retrieving objects from the steps or the bottom of the pool
*Going under the water (if ready to do so)
*Back floating
*Water safety
We try to incorporate songs and fun things to make the class more enjoyable for the kids as well as teaching them how to take direction.

THE SKILLS WE WORK ON…age 3 and up

LEVEL 1:  Introduction to Water Skills

Entering/exiting the water

Blowing bubbles/submerging

Opening eyes under water/retrieving submerged objects

Floating/gliding - front & back

Rolling over - front to back/back to front

Introduction to treading water

Introduction to flutter kick - front & back

Arm action - front & back

Combined arm & leg action - front & back

Safety topics

*Skills are done with support of instructor

LEVEL 2:  Fundamental Aquatic Skills

Jump into shallow water

Submerge and hold breath - 5 seconds

Bobbing - 5 times (chest deep water)

Open eyes in water/retrieve submerged objects (chest-deep water)

Front float/jellyfish float/tuck float - 5 seconds

Back float - 15 seconds

Front & back glides - 2 body lengths

Turning over - front to back/back to front

Change direction while swimming (front or back)

Treading water - 15 seconds

Combined arm & leg actions on front & back - 15 feet

Finning on back - 15 feet

Safety topics

*Skills are done independently - without support

LEVEL 3 - Stroke Development

Jump into deep water

Sitting or kneeling dives - (deep water)

Bobbing while moving toward safety - 5 times

Rotary breathing - 10 times

Survival float on front - 30 seconds in deep water

Back float - 30 seconds in deep water

Treading water - 30 seconds in deep water

Change from vertical to horizontal on front & back in deep water

Front glide with flutter kick - 15 feet

Front glide with dolphin kick - 15 feet

Front crawl - 15 yards

Elementary backstroke - 15 yards

Scissor kick - 10 yards

Safety topics

LEVEL 4 - Stroke Improvement

Standing dive in deep water - compact & stride positions

Swim underwater - 3 to 5 body lengths

Feet first surface dive

Survival swimming - 30 seconds in deep water

Open turns for front & back crawl

Treading water - 2 minutes using 2 different kicks (scissor/whip/rotary)

Back glide with flutter kick - 3 to 5 body lengths

Back glide with dolphin kick - 3 to 5 body lengths

Front crawl - 25 yards

Breaststroke - 15 yards

Butterfly - 15 yards

Elementary backstroke - 25 yards

Back crawl - 15 yards

Sidestroke - 15 yards

Safety topics

LEVEL 5 - Stroke Refinement

Shallow angle dive - deep water

Shallow angle dive with glide - 2 body lengths into any stroke on front

Tuck surface dive - submerge completely

Pike surface dive - submerge completely

Front flip turn while swimming

Back flip turn while swimming

Tread water - 5 minutes

Front crawl - 50 yards

Breaststroke - 25yards

Butterfly - 25 yards

Elementary backstroke - 50 yards

Back crawl - 25 yards

Sidestroke - 25 yards

Standard scull - 30 seconds

Safety topics

LEVEL 6 - Swimming and Skill Proficiency

Personal Water Safety Skills

Fundamentals of Diving

Fitness Swimmer

Helene’s Learn To Swim
RATES 2010

AT MY POOL

PRIVATE (30 Minutes)           6 LESSONS        $200.00 (or $35 each)
PRIVATE (45 Minutes)           6 LESSONS        $300.00 (or $55 each)
GROUP (30 Minutes)              6 LESSONS        $100.00 (or $20 each)
Family Discount for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th child is a $10 discount, only applies for group lessons
EXCLUSIVE/PRIVATE LESSONS FOR JUST YOUR FAMILY OR GROUP
EACH SWIMMER                    6 LESSONS        $120.00 (or $25 each)
PARENT/CHILD                          6 LESSONS        $90.00      (or $20 each)
For children under the age of 3 and parent is in the water with the child in a group lesson

ALL CLASSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF SIGN UP
OR UNUSED CLASSES WILL BE FORFEITED (unless other arrangements have been made)

AT YOUR POOL

PRIVATE (30 Minutes)            6 LESSONS        $260.00 (or $45 each)
PRIVATE (45 Minutes)            6 LESSONS        $390.00 (or $70 each)

FOR GROUP LESSONS PLEASE CALL TO DISCUSS PRICE AS IT WILL DEPEND ON YOUR LOCATION IN THE DESERT AND HOW MANY SWIMMERS ARE INVOLVED

ALL CLASSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF SIGNUP OR UNUSED CLASSES WILL BE FORFEITED (unless other arrangements have been made)

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR:
LIFEGUARD SERVICES (at your pool)            $30.00 per hour
SWIM PARTIES          (at your pool)
Less than 10 participants               $175.00 for 90 minute party
10-20 participants                           $250.00 for 90 minute party
Swim parties include water games, prizes and supervised swimming

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“Helene has a wonderful approach–she encourages you to progress but she can easily tell if you are not comfortable and will never push you to do something you aren’t ready to do. She is an excellent instructor and you will notice a difference in your swimming abilities starting with your first lesson. As an adult taking lessons, I am very happy with my progress. Thank you Helene!”
Marion Boyd
Kelowna, BC

“Helene is an excellent instructor. She helped me achieve a life-long goal–to learn how to swim. I overcame
50 + years of fear of the water. She was patient, kind and very supportive. Plus she has a nice big heated pool. I highly recommend Helene.”
Pat Mealey
La Quinta, CA

“Because we believe that children who grow up around swimming pools must learn to swim at an early age, we had our twin children in lessons with Helene Barker since they were six months old. While our daughter immediately took to the water, our son was much more hesitant. Now that our twins are almost four and have been with Helene regularly, both absolutely LOVE to swim! Helene worked with both children, together and individually, and their progress has exceeded our expectations.
We look forward to removing our pool fence at an age when many children still haven’t started swimming.”
Sincerely,
Steve Pougnet
Mayor of Palm Springs

“We have four children ages 4-7 in our two families and wanted to make sure
they were all water-safe for ocean swimming and in their home pools.
Helene’s flexibility with classes allowed us to keep our kids with their
friends while ensuring they learned to be proficient swimmers. Helene has a
wonderful teaching technique that inspires trust. She has prepared our
children to excel at water sports and given them the confidence to safely
enjoy any water activity. We are grateful for Helene’s instruction and know
our kids will utilize their swimming skills throughout their lives.”
The DeKock and Lockett families

“We are very impressed with the results at Helene’s - Learn to Swim.
Our son looks forward to every lesson. The progress has been amazing.
Helene is a wonderful teacher and gets to know every child and what they are capable of each week.
She pushes them to learn, but still makes it fun.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND HELENE TO ANYONE THAT IS LOOKING FOR A FANTASTIC SWIM INSTRUCTOR! ”
Mark & Eva Karlstrom
(Parents of Kent - 2 1/2 years)

“Tyler and Austin (4 & 2 years now) have been taking lessons with
Helene for two seasons. Helene has taught them water safety and has
given us a piece of mind knowing that they are able to float or swim
to the edge if they were ever to fall into a body of water. Her no
nonsense approach to teaching children is wonderful. Her knowledge
and vast experience allow her to adapt her teaching to each student
so that they progress and feel proud of their achievements. She is more
than just their swim teacher, Helene is an adult they respect, trust
and have grown to love. Our children look forward to going to their
lessons every week. A HUGE thanks for all you do for our boys, you
continue to bring much joy to their lives through swimming!
Sincerely,”
Matt and Tara Huffman

“I want you to know how much I appreciate your professionalism and your caring nature towards my son.
He has completed his first six lessons and it has been a very positive experience for him.
He has worked with other instructors and has never been excited to go to swimming lessons, to say the least.  Since he has been taking lessons with you, he has been very motivated and wanting to learn. We highly recommend you!”
Laura Macleod