Welcome to Excel’s frequently asked questions page! Please follow the links below to the topic you are interested in learning more about.
*General Program Information-Billing and Scheduling
*Children’s Learn to Swim
*Children’s Pre-competitive
*Adult Triathlon Swim Training
*Adult Swim Lessons
General Program Information
Which programs do you offer?
Excel Aquatics specializes in swim lessons for children, pre-competitive swim training for children, swim lessons for adults, and triathlon swim coaching for adults.
How is the tuition billed?
Tuition is billed at the time of registration, prior to our sessions starting. Excel Aquatics reserves the right to set the specific billing dates for each session offered. Once registered, there is a non-refundable $10 fee per child that is included in the registration cost. Any cancellations prior to the session starting shall be refunded, with the exception of the $10 non-refundable fee. Due to Excel’s financial obligations to our staff and rented facilities, no fees are able to refunded after the start of a session. If tuition fees are not paid at the time of registration or alternate payment plans are not approved by the Program Director prior to the session starting, Excel Aquatics has the right to withdraw your child from the slot and open it back up to the public.
What are the acceptable methods of payment for the lessons?
At this time, the preferred method of payment is electronically through our registration system. However, if you would like to pay by cash or check, please contact us at [email protected]. All tuition and fees are due at the time of registration.
What is the policy for make-up lessons?
Due to pool space and availability, make-up lessons shall not be offered at this time.
What happens if there is a cancellation of a lesson?
In the case that a facility is closed due to inclement weather, maintenance, or additional causes not controlled by Excel Aquatics, your Jackrabbit portal account will be credited for the classes cancelled due to the closure. This will be a credit, and not a refund. The credit will be applied to future tuition and cannot be converted to cash or transferred to any other party. All credits expire 1 year after the date they were applied to the account.
All slots are filled for the class I want to register for, what do I do?
We now offer a waitlist feature for each class once it is filled. Simply click ‘Waitlist’ for the class you are interested in enrolling in, and fill out the submission form. Note that waitlisted families are NOT billed tuition fees. If a slot opens on a class, waitlisted families will be contacted in the order they submitted their waitlist applications.
Public Registration has not yet opened, but why are there slots already taken in some classes?
Families within our current session are always allowed first right of refusal to retain their slot prior to registration for the upcoming session. Once a family is signed up for a slot, we work to make sure they have every opportunity to retain that slot moving forward.
Do you offer a multi-student discount?
Yes, we do! For swimmers in the same family and portal account registering for the same session, each additional swimmer after the first shall receive a 10% discount. If two or more swimmers are registered for classes of different fees, the lower of the fees shall be discounted.
Learn to Swim
Explain year-round swimming lessons
We teach swimming lessons year-round, both on weekends and during the week. Throughout the year, we offer 4-8 week programs. We firmly believe that just like any other skill your child masters, swim lesson progress relies greatly on consistency, which is why we encourage our lesson participants to continue with our lessons during the typical “non swimming” months of winter. Practicing year round provides your child with the opportunity to build and perfect their skills, and progress much more quickly into a proficient swimmer.
How long are your lessons?
All of our children’s lessons are 30 minutes long.
What options are offered in terms of class sizes?
Due to the pandemic we currently only offer private lessons, with semi-private and small group scheduled via request only. For semi-private and small group lessons, registering families must provide the additional swimmers.
Explain your curriculum
Excel offers its own curriculum specific to child development by promoting incremental independence in the water. Our lessons are separated in six levels, starting with beginner swimmers with little to no exposure to the water, all the way up swimmers who are fully independent and are refining their skills, while learning elements of competitive swimming.
How long will it take before my child moves to the next level?
Our program is set up in a perpetual lesson environment, meaning that each week your child shall cover the same skills within their level based on our curriculum. Once your child has covered each of the objectives in their respective level, and is able to demonstrate the advancement skills, they will be eligible to move to the next level. Every swimmer is different, and takes their own time in learning new skills. **Please keep in mind that all achievement skills accomplished will be at the discretion of the instructors and supervisory staff**
What should I bring to lessons?
Required items include a bathing suit, towel, and swim diapers for those swimmers who are not yet toilet trained. Goggles for group lessons are not required, but highly recommended.
What age should I enroll my child in lessons?
Our learn to swim program is designed for children ages 3 years and up. Children under the age of 3 are ineligible to enroll at this time.
I would like to enroll my child in adaptive lessons. Can I just enroll him/her in a private lesson slot?
No-our adaptive program has specific staff trained to work with children with special needs. By enrolling in a private lesson slot, we cannot guarantee the correct staff member will be scheduled to work with your child. To enroll your child in adaptive lessons, please contact us directly at [email protected].
Will my child have the same instructor each lesson?
While we work to keep swimmers with their favorite instructors, we do not/cannot guarantee the same staff week to week or class to class. Particularly with COVID and precautionary safety concerns, we have a rotating group of staff who are specialize in teaching a variety of levels. Coupled with the three skills per level covered weekly with each swimmer, we are confident that children can still obtain excellent progress even with instructor changes.
Pre-competitive Swimming
Who is this program suitable for?
This program is geared towards swimmers who have either successfully completed the Excel Learn to Swim curriculum, or are a minimum of 6 years of age and can demonstrate a minimum of 25 yards of Freestyle, and 25 yards of Backstroke independently.
How long are classes?
Pre-competitive practices are 45 minutes in length.
When are practices offered?
Classes are offered in line with our children’s private lessons schedule.
How long is a session?
Sessions are typically 4-8 weeks, and may vary based on the time of year.
What skills are covered throughout a session?
This is a multi-week program focused on teaching and refining all 4 swim strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, and Breaststroke), as well as turns.
Adult Triathlon Swim Training
Who is this program appropriate for?
This program is appropriate for adults ages 18 years and older who can successfully complete a minimum of 200 yards of unassisted Freestyle. Each practice is broken up by both ability and comfort level, so all are welcome.
How long is each practice?
Practices are typically forty five minutes to one hour in length.
How long is each session?
Sessions are typically 4-8 weeks in length. Be sure to check our information page for the most up to date schedule.
What are the different programs offered?
Currently we offer a singular practice format that includes about 30 minutes of warmup and technical work, and 30 minutes of a primary ‘challenge’ set.
Adult Swim Lessons
Who is this program appropriate for?
Adult lessons are appropriate for any adult, ages 18 and over. No swim experience is necessary, as we work with both beginner swimmers new to water, as well as swimmers who have limited experience and are looking to develop a higher level of comfort and independence.
How long are classes?
Classes are 30 minutes in length
What levels are currently offered?
We currently offer classes for beginners, and intermediate swimmers. Please check our information page for descriptions of each. All lessons are currently 1:1 private format.
Don’t see your question or would like more information on a question you may have? Please feel free to contact us!