Swimming Lessons 2026

 

My name is Sara (Holloway) Bruner.  I have been teaching swimming lessons off and on for 25 years.  I was originally certified at LSU through the American Red Cross.  I love to swim and love to help people learn such a fun and powerful survival skill.

Age and Swim Level

I teach all ages, swim levels and try to accommodate to special needs (ESL, Handicaps, Learning Disabilities, etc.) to the best of my ability.  The prime age for learning to swim is 3-5 years old.  Once your child turns 4 there is no reason not to have them swimming.  The older they get the more fear he/she builds up and the harder it becomes for him/her to learn.  I recently started teaching adults and it is a slow process, but one that can be very successful and well worth the effort.  

• Level 1 (For non-swimmers to learn to swim) - Ages 3 and up (children must be able to sit and listen)
• Level 2 (For students that can swim, even just a little, but want to learn more) - Ages 5 and up
• Level 3 (For good swimmers that would like to strengthen skills and learn more strokes) - Ages 8 and up 
• Water Babies (This class is for parents and babies to take together.  This class is not intended to get children swimming.  The purpose of this class is to get babies adjusted to the water early and to teach parents different techniques to work with their child in the water. Starting early getting kids comfortable in the water helps prepare the child when it is time to learn and helps reduce anxiety for all.) - Ages 6 months - 2 year olds 
• Adult (Levels vary - work at your own pace with guided instruction and assistance)

2026 Schedule

• Session 1:  June 1-5 (mornings & early evenings) 
• Session 2:  June 8-12 (mornings & early evenings) 
• Swim Camp: June 22-26 (evenings)
• Adult Swim: Wednesday evening throughout the summer

I do my best to work around everyone's schedule, especially for those with multiple students.  I will notify you the Saturday before class starts to let you know your class time.  

Facilities

Classes will take place at the home of Cathie Holloway 11528 Hwy 165 South, Forest Hill, LA 71430.  There is a sign for Holloway’s Nursery on Highway 165.  As you make the turn from 165 it is the house/nursery to the left.  Park towards the back of the house.  The pool is located in back of the house through the white gate. 

Cost

Each week of class is $70 for the first child and $60 for each additional child per family. Classes are 1 hour a day Monday - Friday.  Fees are due on the first day of class.  I should be able to get most non-swimmers (3 years and older) swimming in 5 days, given that they do not have an aversion to water.  We will have class, weather permitting, Monday through Friday with a swim party for all classes concluding the last classes on Friday or Saturday.  I will notify you if for any reason your class time is different.  We will try to make up classes canceled due to weather if needed. 

Class Size

Classes have a maximum of 6-10 students depending on age and swim level.  I have found the majority of student swimmers do better when they see peers going through the same thing.  So, I like to teach in small classes where everyone is encouraged by peers, yet still gets a good amount of individual attention.  I try to avoid private lessons, but I also understand there are extenuating circumstances.  If there is a need for private lessons the cost is significantly higher.        

Parent & Guardian Expectations:

·          Please have your children on deck 5 minutes prior to class start time

• Learning to swim is a positive experience. Please help us maintain a No Hit Zone
• Please text if your child will be missing class
• You are responsible for your children until class begins and as soon as class is over
• No one is allowed in or around the pool until instructed to do so
• No food, drinks or gum allowed in the pool area
• Please clean up after yourself and help us maintain our facility
• We ask parents to please wait on the back patio or inside during instruction  (See below)
• Water, water and more water…

Please prepare students for lessons by talking about water and practicing going under or getting his/her face wet in the bath tub or shower.  Daily exposure to water before, during, and after lessons is the best way to help reinforce what we do in class and develop the skill of swimming. Any little bit helps, whether it is working on skills in the bathtub, your friend’s pool, or even a $20 blow up pool in the back yard. Please help them to understand that it's okay to get water in your face.  You just wipe it way or keep going and get it wet again. Celebrate every time they get their heads wet to help encourage them that water is good, not evil.  (Children with tubes may take longer because going under water can cause extremely discomfort.  I don't ask them to go under until their ears are less sensitive, but it may take a year or two longer before they put their head underwater. I highly suggest ear plugs for any child with tubes or discomfort from ear issues.) 

Student Expectations:

These are rules that I teach as part of our safety lessons around any water.  Please help reinforce them whenever you can. 

·         LISTEN and obey the adult in charge.

·         WAIT to enter the pool until an adult says it is okay.

·         CHECK before entering the water (looking for snakes, dangerous items, depth, temperature, weather, safety equipment, etc.).

·         WALK everywhere…No running.

·         R-E-S-P-E-C-T others while swimming especially with splashing and horseplay.

·         OPEN, OPEN, OPEN – Keep the steps, ladder, diving board and diving area open for                    people to enter and exit safely.

Clothing

·         Please have your child dressed out before class.

·         Upon arrival please use a chair for your child to get prepared and keep his/her belongings           (shoes, bag, towel, etc.).

·         Please remove jewelry prior to class.

·         Please don’t forget a towel.

Health

·         Please let me know if your child has any medical problems or disabilities.

·         Food or drink should not be consumed for at least 30 minutes prior to class.

·         Please do not bring your child even if there is a threat of them being sick, not only for                      his/her health, but also for the rest of the class.

·         Please make sure that your child has used the bathroom before class to help prevent any                accidents during class.  There is a restroom outside, in the pool area if needed.

Rainy Days

Although the weather may look bad some days, we will continue to have class inside.  There are safety requirements I will be covering that can be held inside no matter what the weather is like.  I will call any time class is canceled, otherwise plan on coming.  

Class Time

·         Arrival:

Please be on the deck 5-minutes before class starts.  If you are early please wait in your vehicle so that instruction time is not interrupted from the previous class. 

The previous class may be having free swim or snack time as you enter.  Please quietly prepare for class (change, bathroom break, sunscreen, remove shoes, etc.) and try not to interrupt the class that is taking place (even if it looks fun).

It is extremely important that class begins and ends on time and without interruption.  If you would like to visit with another parent please feel free to do so inside the sitting room or outside of the gate.    

·         Class Instruction (45 minutes): 

To begin class please see that your child is seated in the safety lesson area. 

There is a sitting area inside the house if you have other children, or if you would like to watch from the back patio that is an option as well while instruction takes place.  We simply ask that you clean up after yourself and your children to help us maintain our facility. 

You are also welcome to run errands, wait in your car, or visit with another parent outside of the swim area.

·         Concluding Class:

You are encouraged to be back 15 minutes prior to class ending to see what your child has learned for the day during the free swim portion of class.

We will end the last 5 minutes with juice, cookies and clean up.  Your help with snack time is greatly appreciated for a clean and efficient end to a great swim class.

Swim Party

I always try to conclude each week of swimming lessons with a swim party on Friday or Saturday.  The party is for all of the swim class participants, their siblings, and parents.  Parents please come prepared to swim with your children and enjoy this milestone with him/her.  It is important for each family to have an adult swimming with your children on swim party day with so many little ones in the water.   

It’s time to “Splash in to Summer!”  I know this will be a fun and rewarding time for each one of us.  Don’t hesitate to speak with me any time throughout the program with any questions or comments.  My number is 318.289.5557.  If you know of anyone else interested in having fun in the water this summer please feel free to pass my number along.  Thank you for allowing me to work with you and your child on such a fun milestone!