What to Look For in a Private Swim Coach | A Parent's Guide

When you hire a private swim coach, you are placing immense trust in their hands. But what does a truly professional coaching session look like? Is it just 45 minutes of drills and games? Or is it something more?

As a team of career coaches, we believe a great lesson is a meticulously planned, safe, and communicative event. The most important work often happens before the coach even arrives at your condominium. This guide is our commitment to transparency—a look behind the curtain at the "invisible work" that defines a true professional. It's the standard you should expect, and it's the standard we live by at Dreamers.

1. It Starts Before We Even Arrive: Professional Risk Management

A professional coach's first priority is always safety, and this begins with proactive planning. Before a new lesson, an expert coach will conduct what we call a pool recce. They assess the environment: noting the different depths, identifying potential hazards (like sharp edges or slippery surfaces), and choosing the safest, most effective area of the pool for learning.

Every single session is preceded by a weather check. In Singapore, this is non-negotiable. We use official sources like the Weather@SG app to monitor for lightning alerts and unsafe conditions. The lesson plan is always secondary to the weather forecast. This rigorous risk assessment (often called a RAMS in professional circles) is the foundation of a safe learning environment.

2. The Lesson Blueprint: A Structured Session

A professional lesson is never "winged." It is a structured and purposeful session with a clear blueprint. While the coach will always adapt to the child's energy and needs, they come prepared with a methodical plan. A typical 45-minute session is broken down:

• The Warm-Up (First 5-10 mins): This isn't just splashing around. The warm-up is designed to gently prepare the muscles, re-establish comfort in the water, and briefly recap the previous lesson's key skill.

• The Main Set (Next 25-30 mins): This is the heart of the lesson. A great coach will have 1-2 clear objectives for this section. It could be mastering the breathing pattern for freestyle or developing a more powerful kick. Every drill and activity during this time is a deliberate reinforcement of these core objectives.

• The Game & Cool-Down (Final 5-10 mins): The lesson should always end on a high note. We use a fun game that, cleverly, is also a final reinforcement of the day's main skill. For example, a "Red Light, Green Light" kicking game is a fun way to practice kick control. This is followed by a brief cool-down.

3. The Communication Cycle: Keeping Everyone Aligned

A professional coach understands that they are in a partnership with both the child and the parent. This requires a constant, clear cycle of communication to ensure everyone is on the same page.

• The Pre-Lesson Brief: A quick, 30-second chat at the start of the lesson: "Hi, Leo! Today we're going to be superheroes and work on our powerful gliding!" This sets a clear, positive goal.

• Reinforcement During: Throughout the lesson, the coach provides constant, positive, and specific feedback to reinforce the main objectives.

• The Post-Lesson Debrief: A crucial 1-2 minute chat with the parent and child after the lesson. The coach will summarize the "wins" of the day, explain what they'll be working on next, and answer any questions. This ensures progress is tangible and everyone feels part of the journey.

4. Beyond the Strokes: The Coach as a Mentor

Finally, a truly professional coach knows they are teaching more than just swimming. They are mentors. A swimming lesson is a perfect environment to instill powerful life values. When a child overcomes their fear of the deep end, they are learning courage. When they master a difficult drill through practice, they are learning discipline and the power of a growth mindset.

A great coach understands this deeper responsibility. They are not just creating a swimmer; they are helping you build a more confident and resilient child. This is the heart of the Dreamers philosophy, and it's what turns a simple swimming lesson into a truly transformative experience.