Swim lessons seem like a luxury in today’s economic climate. I fully agree. They aren’t cheap, and food or clothing is a better priority. So much is built into the cost, from firing up your pool (if hiring private home lessons) to the instruction costs.
Aside of swimming, parenting (and product review writing, like new cars), I also write about personal finance. In general, I think the main motivator behind any of my articles is a message about consumers finding the best deal. Here’s how I break down the true cost of learning to swim.
Bathing suit and goggles: $25. Old Navy works fine, but their goggles don’t — get a good $12-15 Speedo pair made of silicone, which is soft and refrains from leaks. Goggles encourage putting a child’s face in the water.
Initial 1/2 hr. private lessons: $40-320. I live in the Bay Area, so keep in mind all my estimates are likely a third to a full half higher. You can start with one lesson ($20-40 depending where you live) and get an estimate of where the teacher thinks your child is at. However, it is extremely difficult for any teacher to say just how many lessons it would take your kids to swim, which makes it harder to budget for it. If your kid can swim independently without you, move on to group lessons. If more nurturing is needed, sign up for 6-8 privates ($320 is 8 privates total).
1/2 hr. Group lessons: $15- 185. Group lessons can save you tons IF — and only IF — your child is not afraid of the water. Otherwise, you are seriously flushing money down the toilet if you think your timid child is suddenly going to blossom amidst aggressive (or other frightened) swimmers and an overwhelmed teacher. Instead, you child will regress. Which is why I always recommend the initial estimate above. Hey, only the rich can afford to buy cheap because they can afford to buy something over and over again. The $185 should buy you around two weeks or $15 x 8 (1/2 hr. lessons).
Time with you in a pool: priceless. Not because of the memories, but because of the swim time they will get in. Take advantage of every opportunity. Maybe the pool your kid takes lessons at allows parents to get in after. Maybe a friend or neighbor has a pool and you can exchange tomatoes or something for swim time. I can ALWAYS tell a kid who practices versus one who doesn’t.
1/2 hr. group of private follow-ups: $40-200. Swimming can be a forgotten skill. Retention and strength to swim depends on the age — the older they are, the more likely they can get by on memory and muscle. Best to conduct this in the early month in an indoor pool around April. A minimum of 3 lessons ($40 x 3 = $120) should not only tell you where your child is at but even deliver them stroke skills if their swim retention is strong enough.
TOTAL TRUE COST OF LEARNING TO SWIM THIS SUMMER: $370 (group) & $465 (private)
Of course their are more variables: demographics, electric bills, lost or ruined swim suits, pool memberships, swim toys. (A lot of my clients would tell me they spent a lot more on me than this!) But think of this estimate as the no-frills approach when learning to swim.
Also, isn’t it interesting to see just a $95 difference lies between private and group instruction. Your child won’t be in the pool as much, but will get better time in the pool. So what is more important — quantity or quality?
