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Tired of wasting time and money without learning to swim?

What should parents expect from swim lessons?

  • Learning. That their children actually learn how to swim! Isn’t this what you’re paying for? If your children are not swimming after months or even years, you should be asking the reason why.
  • Positive Experiences. Children should think swimming is fun! Swimming lessons should not create negative associations such as being dunked or being forced to do things prematurely, for example.
  • Safety. Supervision and precautions need to be taken so that risks of any bodily harm are reduced as much as possible.

Group Levels & Minimum Ages

Parent Tot

Parent guided instruction. Water games, & general water comfort. Minimum age 6 months.

Level 1

Going underwater independently. Minimum Age 2.5 - 3 years

Level 2

Streamlines and front/back crawls. Minimum Age 3 years.

Level 3

Side breathing, breaststroke & butterfly kicks. Minimum Age 4 years.

Level 4

Distance & competitive swimming. Breaststroke and Butterfly, Bilateral Breathing. Minimum Age 5 years.

Student Swim Level Questionnaire

Use this questionnaire to determine what swim level the student should assigned to.


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    Top reasons to start swim lessons

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    Testimonials

    Testimonials

    Testimonials

    Testimonials

    Testimonials

    My 3 older kids call Mary Kate their "favorite swim teacher" and they've had a few. She makes swimming and learning fun, while really packing in the concepts efficiently. The parent-tot class was so fun for me as well!! We will be back next year!

    Becca S.

    This was SUCH an amazing experience for my kids! Mary Kate is creative and very knowledgeable and organized with each level of swimming. Beautiful pool and sandpit outside to keep other littles occupied during sibling’s classes. Overall a very positive experience for everyone...

    Stephanie A.

    You won't find a better or more thoughtful swim instructor than Mary Kate. I'm saying this as a mother, client, past competitive swimmer/triathlete, and as one who has also taught youngers swim lessons. My kids are excited to go to their lessons and they want to work hard to improve. Mary Kate teaches a variety of levels and she knows how to keep the children engaged, learning, and excelling at their individual levels. I can't recommend Mary Kate enough - she's the best!

    S.W.

    We are so beyond blessed and grateful to have found Fin Swim School and the incomparable "Mrs. C". After only a few lessons we noticed that we were retaining the solid swimming techniques and skills taught in class and actively practicing them at home, in the bathtub, in the lake etc. Cheers to many more lessons with you, Fin Swim School and to our best swim instructor ever, "Mrs. C!" You are totally worth our investment!

    Sarah S.

    Meet The Team

    We are focused on target-based instruction with the primary goal of learning to swim in a safe and fun way. Meet the team that makes this possible!

    Owner, Instructor Lead

    Mary Kate Carugati, ATRI Certified

    Hi there! Welcome to better swimming!

    As a child, I learned to swim competitively on swim teams from ages 4-12, and then continued with competitive swimming during summers from ages 12-17.

    I have always loved working with children, and spent much of my free time as a babysitter and nanny from age 12 through high school and college. I taught swim lessons during college summers, and, after graduation, I taught elementary school from 2008 to 2010.

    Now, years later, I’m returning to teaching swim lessons as a wife and mother of four.  I have tested, on my own children, the method that I am now using, and the results have given me great assurance that this method could help many other families.  Water safety is of the utmost importance in this beautiful area where there are so many opportunities to swim. Swimming adds such joy to life that I feel like it should not be missed out on, and I want to help as many families as possible have the assurance of knowing how to swim well and effectively.

    • Aqua Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute (ATRI) Certified (2024 – Present)
    • Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Certified (American Red Cross), 2022-2025
    • Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, 2003-2006
    • Certified Water Safety Instructor (American Red Cross), 2003-2005
    • Elementary school teacher, 2008-2010
    Fin Swim School Instructor

    Jasmine Ames Aragon

    Let's get swimming!

    Hello! My name is Jasmine. I first started out as a swim instructor in June of 2021 and obtained my lifeguard certification in august of the same year. Then went on to obtain my coaching certification in June of 2022. My initial employment was at Golds Gym in Woodinville, WA. My job title encompassed swim instructor, lifeguard, and pre-competition coach. I also took on a full-time role at my second job, which I started in August of 2021 at the Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) in Mercer Island, WA. My job title includes lifeguard and swim instructor. Additionally, I have taught parent and infant classes as well as parent and toddler classes. Upon entering college, I secured a job on campus at the EWU Aquatics Pool to work as a lifeguard and swim instructor. I have been employed there since October 14th, 2023. I swam competitively all throughout high school, I represented my high school team for four years. Additionally, I was also a member of the Golds Aquatics club swim team, where I continued to swim. Working with children has always been my passion, and I found the water to be the perfect environment for it. Safety is always my top priority when it comes to the water. I firmly believe that teaching swim lessons not only saves lives but also provides an opportunity for children to learn survival skills while having fun! Since starting in 2021, teaching has become my true passion. Witnessing the growth of the children as they became strong and independent swimmers brought me immense joy.

    Fin Swim School Instructor

    Shannon Fish

    Ready to swim like a fish?

    Hello! My name is Shannon Fish! I have been swimming recreationally since childhood and I swam semi-competitively for a few years growing up. I taught preschool for 4 years while in college majoring in Child Development. I can’t wait to help your child overcome obstacles and feel confident having fun in the water!

    Convenient lessons for targeted instruction.

    March session is March 4th – April 6th
    Closed March 25th – 30th

    Starting at $48/ 4 weeks
    • Group sessions are 4 weeks in duration
    • 4 Students maximum per 30 minute group lesson
    • Prices based on lesson attendance per week:
      • 3 days per week (M,W,F) – $240 / 12 lessons
      • 1 day per week  (Sat) – $80 / 4 lessons
    • Price per student

    APRIL/MAY 2024 REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

    April lessons are from April 8-May 4

    May lessons are from May 6 to June 1

    Starting at $50/ lesson
    • $80 / 30 minute lesson
    • Price per Private individual or semi-private group (up to 4)
    • Students of all ages welcome
    • Specialized Water Therapy/Adaptive Swim available
      • $80 / 30 minute lesson
      • Providing body awareness, Proprioceptive input, emotional regulation, and social skills through one-on-one Aquatic Sessions
      • You may qualify for fully or partially supplemented swim sessions. Please contact Tawni Sullivan @ Regulate to learn more.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When can I expect my child to swim independently?

    Every child is different, so it would be unrealistic to expect a certain level of performance after a certain number of lessons or just time in the water.  What you can expect is progress, and there should be notable skills learned in each session.  

    Particularly for children ages 3 and under, swimming is difficult.  Their tiny bodies are lacking the gross motor skills to make the movements that could truly be called swimming. However, toddlers can learn safety skills, movement, propulsion, and comfort in the water, all of which contribute to greater success and faster results later on. 

    My child has had swim lessons already but still can't swim. Why?

    Aside from evaluating the effectiveness of the teaching method, maybe you should consider more frequent lessons. Here are some reasons why:

    1. We forget most of the material that we learn immediately after learning it (Look up: Ebbingaus’s Forgetting Curve). A review session soon after the first time something is learned reduces this forgetting, so regular refreshers can halt the process of forgetting almost completely and having to start almost completely over with each lesson.
    2. Swimming is completely different than any other skill your child has learned. Essentially, it’s like learning a foreign language (and don’t they say the best way to learn a foreign language is by “immersion”?’).  While other skills like playing basketball or kicking a soccer ball can be practiced at home or school, swimming has its own set of movements and resistance that has no correlation to anything else in your child’s environment.  Please take advantage of other opportunities to swim, so that your child can practice what he or she has learned!

    Is it worth it to put my baby or toddler in swim lessons? Is “Parent Tot” worth my time?

    Of course I’m biased but let’s consider this question from multiple points of view.  Is drowning the #1 accidental cause of death for children in America under age 4?  Sadly, yes.  Is there anything we can do about it? Yes.  In addition to basic vigilance, parents can help babies and toddlers understand certain real properties of water.  It’s important for children to have a healthy respect for the water (by teaching them that they cannot enter the pool until a parent is ready, or what it feels like to hold their breath when their face gets wet, for example).  Basic skills like holding their breath underwater, entering and exiting safely, floating, and reaching and pulling, could save their lives one day.  

    An added bonus to this safety aspect is that a Parent Tot class is bonding time with your child.  Thirty minutes, with no phone to distract you, in which you facilitate your child’s enjoyment of music and play, in an environment that will stimulate his or her brain and body with muscle memory for years to come… does that sound worth it to you?

    Do you use the ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) method?

    For those who are unfamiliar, this method teaches “survival swimming” to infants and young children.  Through repetition, certified instructors teach infants and young children to turn over onto their backs and do a back float under any circumstances, even with their clothes on, should they fall in the water.  I highly respect this method, but I am not certified in it.  What I do offer for children under age 3 is the “Parent Tot class,” which includes some safety skills, mixed with fun and games, in which parents interact with their own child.  While I definitely want this class to be more than just “songs and bubbles,” I see the fun part of it as having benefits, too.  I believe swimming should be part of a positive, encouraging environment.  Children need to have a healthy “respect” for water. However, if they have too much fear and anxiety, they could panic unnecessarily and not know what to do in an emergency.  Calmness and openness is key to learning how to swim later on.

    Do you teach all year? Even in the winter months?

    Yes, our swimming lessons are available year round!  For the winter months, please be aware that we do have a relatively steep, uphill driveway.  If you have AWD and/or snow tires, you should have no problem. A vehicle that is not thus outfitted, or with bald tires might not make it up our hill. Walking up and down the hill is an option, but we just want to forewarn you and apologize for the inconvenience!  We may have a reduced schedule from November to February, due to reduced demand.  However, swimming is great exercise during the winter and also helps children keep up their skills, so we like to provide that service as much as we can.

    What are the required skills to pass each level?

    Level 1: 

    1. Go Underwater Unassisted
    2. Supported Front Float with Face in the Water
    3. Supported Back Float with Ears in the Water
    4. Go Underwater, then Stand Up

    Level 2: 

    1. Streamline 3 body lengths, front and back
    2. Streamline with Front Crawl arms, 5 body lengths
    3. Streamline with Back Crawl arms, 5 body lengths
    4. Introduced to Fly kick

    Level 3:

    1. Front Crawl 8 meters (almost 1 pool length for our pool) with breathing to the side
    2. Back Crawl 8 meters with body at surface
    3. Demonstrate Breaststroke Pull
    4. Demonstrate Breaststroke Kick
    5. Demonstrate Butterfly arms

    Level 4:

    1. Front Crawl 20 meters (2 lengths of our pool) with breathing on the side
    2. Back Crawl 20 meters with body in “soldier”
    3. 3x Streamline with Breaststroke Pull and Kick
    4. Streamline with Butterfly kick and 2 strokes, with breath on stroke #2
    5. Swim 50 meters (5 lengths of the pool) on front or back, without stopping.

    Should my child ever need swim lessons again, once they learn to swim?

    Yes and no.  To reach a certain level of swimming, we might compare it to “riding a bike.” You won’t lose that basic knowledge.  On the other hand, we’ve also seen children who lack the confidence in their swimming and seem to regress at the beginning of a swim season.  So the need to repeat lessons depends on how well the swimmer remembers and has opportunities to practice!  There is value in practice and repetition, so you might consider doing a refresher once or twice a year. We’re here year-round, so why not get ready to swim before summer hits?

    "Wait! Those lesson times don't fit my schedule! What do I do?"

    If our schedule doesn’t match up with yours, you have a few options.  If you can only make it one day a week, let’s say, Monday, for example, you can come Mondays, but miss Wednesdays and Fridays.   There is no obligation to come to all 3 days, but you are reserving your spot for that lesson time for the full 4 week session.  Alternatively, if you’re looking for a specific day and time, you could email us (info@finswim.school) and tell us what level (if it’s a group lesson), time, and day you’re looking for, and we can see if we can accommodate your request.  Finally, if your schedule ever opens up, we encourage you to take advantage of the three lessons per week if you can.  While we know it’s not possible for everyone to come all 3 days, it will definitely contribute to faster results.

    How does the Referral Program work?

    The referral program works like this: Help us grow by spreading the word to your friends and family, and receive a coupon code for a free group lesson in return!  This coupon code will only be issued when we receive an order for swim lessons from 1) a new customer, who 2) provides your name at checkout, and 3) comes to at least one swim lesson.  The coupon code can be used only for one free group lesson (not private) and only for future transactions (not to be applied retro-actively to previous purchases).  Thank you for helping us grow!

    Do you offer makeup lessons?

    We do not offer makeup lessons.  We try to compensate for the inevitable absences due to illness or other reasons by keeping our lesson costs down.  If you know that there will be an extended (unforeseen) absence, please contact us and we will see what we can do.

    Doesn't the chlorine and UV light kill "everything"? So what's the big deal about the shower and frequent bathroom breaks?

    Parents! Please encourage your children to use the restroom before swimming and to take frequent bathroom breaks, and to use the bathroom for changing diapers (never poolside). We want our pool to stay clean and everyone to stay healthy.  

    Sorry to be gross, but diarrhea is a special case.  Diarrhea in the pool means the pool could be shut down for multiple days or longer until sanitation levels have been reached and chemicals can come back down to normal. If any swimmer has had diarrhea, we STRONGLY recommend that the swimmer NOT swim for 2 weeks, following CDC guidelines.  It’s more serious than you might think (contact us for more details).  We don’t want to pass on sickness, especially because a minor illness could be serious for those with compromised immune systems.  Please contact the swim manager if your swimmer is ill with diarrhea, and we can see what we can do to accommodate for the missed lessons.

    Can I expect a full 30 minutes for each lesson?

    At Fin Swim School, we 100% back you when you want to get your money’s worth for each and every lesson.  That said, we hope that you can understand when our instructors need a break for water or other necessities between lessons, and that it may take a few minutes to facilitate the change in students and content between lessons.  If you are getting less than 25 minutes for your lesson, please contact us (Call Mary Kate Carugati at 208-477-1060), and we will correct the situation immediately.

    What if I sign up for a group lesson and no one else does? Do I get a private lesson?

    Group lessons require a minimum of 2 students. If you are the only one signed up, please consider referring a friend!  If the starting date of lessons is approaching, and only one student is signed up for a group lesson, that lesson will be cancelled or postponed until there is greater interest. You will receive a coupon code as reimbursement for the cancellataion. We apologize for any inconvenience this potentiality may cause.

    Fin Swim School Calendar

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