The proper class level depends on your student's age and skill level. Use these helpful benchmarks to determine which level is best for your swimmer:

Private Class- Offered to all swimmers any age and any skill level. Perfect for the first time timid swimmer, swimmers who want to perfect their technique, swimmers with an IEP, or even adults!

Waterbugs (Level 1)- Offered to swimmers ages 2.5-6yrs old who are complete beginners who need to learn how to be comfortable in the water. Students will be introduced to underwater submersion and beginning swim skills.

Starfish (Level 2)- Offered to swimmers 3-6yrs old who have had some swim experience. Students in this class must be able to safely wait their turn, be comfortable getting their face wet, and able to swim a short distance with the help of an instructor. Students should be ready to learn independent breathing and beginning foundational swim strokes.

Turtle (Level 3)- Offered to students 4-6yrs old. Students in this class must be able to swim unassisted 15 feet and be able to breathe independently without instructor assistance. Students should be ready to be introduced to freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and elementary backstroke, treading water and diving.

Shark (Level 4)- Offered to students 5-10yrs old. Students must have basic knowledge of the 4 competitive swimming strokes, independent swimming skills, and must be able to swim 40 feet unassisted. Students should be ready to learn correct breathing for each stroke and stroke technique will be learned as well as surface, and racing dives, flip turns, and open turns.

Whale (Level 5)- Offered to students 7-10yrs old. Students must have mastered basic skills in all 4 competitive strokes. Students should be ready to learn to swim like the Olympians! Students will build endurance and stamina while perfecting the 4 competitive strokes.

If your child is enrolled in the wrong class/level we will do our best to find a class that will best meet their needs.

If we are unable to move your child to a more appropriate class because all of our lessons are fully booked we may ask you to re-enroll in another session or class in the future.

Yes, we occasionally offer in-home lessons. Please email us at swim@makaiswimschool.com for details.

Only in the Parent Baby lessons do we require a parent or caregiver to be in the water with their student.

We utilize a Tradebook System where if you know 24 hours in advance that your swimmer will be absent you may then place your missed lesson on our Tradebook. Once your swimmer's class is entered on the Tradebook, you may then look for an alternate day and time on the Tradebook.

If your student is ill, injured, or absent on the day of their lesson with less than 24 hours advance notice, unfortunately you may not use the Tradebook for a makeup.

Please email us at swim@makaiswimschool.com for the link.

Don't worry! This is highly common for first time swimmers and children who may be shy.

We are experts at helping your child adjust to our swim program. We will work with you and your child to create the best swim experience for everyone. If your child is not able to adjust within 3 or 4 lessons we will then discuss alternate options and methods to allow them to adjust with confidence and success.

We sometimes see a small regression in our 2-5 year old students on lesson 3. Why?

Our first lesson is packed with fun and trust building exercises and plenty of evaluation of your child.

Lesson 2 we may encourage your student to try some skills that they may not have mastered yet, like getting their face wet. If this skill was difficult for them then they sometimes will show a bit of tension about attending their 3rd lesson.

Our instructors are well trained on the cues and body language your child exhibits to show their happiness, frustrations, or fears. Trust is our key element for success. Once your child understands we are listening and paying close attention to their needs and only gently pushing their boundaries then we have kiddos confident and happy!

We do our best to make it fun and to match each child’s needs as they arise.

If your child is 6 months to 3 years old we suggest a Splash About Wetsuit and a swim cap for in the water. We also suggest not wearing a rash-guard type shirt, as this actually does not help keep your swimmer warmer.

When your child is finished with the lessons, wrap up them in a dry towel, bathrobe, or SplashAbout After Swim Onsie and a warm beanie type hat.

ALL CHILDREN 3 AND UNDER are required to wear the Happy Swim Diaper with a disposable swimmer diaper, OR the New Happy Nappy DUO.

The New Happy Nappy Duo is designed to capture and kill the cryptosporidium bacteria which other diapers do not.

Fecal accidents in the pool will cause unhealthy water and will cause the pool to close for several hours. County Health Requirement.

Yes! We swim rain or shine. If there happens to be thunder/lighting (which we monitor during storms) then the pool must close due to safety.

The pool is heated to a cozy 90 degrees so swimming in the rain is no problem for your swimmers and our instructors.

Yes, however, please refrain from engaging with your child during their lesson. This confuses your swimmer on who is in charge and does not allow trust to build between instructor and student.

If you feel you need to intervene, please check with a member of the Makai Swim School Staff.

Classes will be added based on instructor availability and need. We will reach out to the families on our waitlists initially and then to the public within 2 days.

Yes, however it is not highly recommended unless they are close to the same swim ability. Please email us at swim@makaiswimschool.comto discuss options.

You may always email us if you are unsure. If your card on file has been charged then you are enrolled and you will receive a receipt email as well that will highlight your swimmer's enrollment status as ACTIVE.

If an opening becomes available in a class that has a waitlist we notify the first person on the waitlist and give them 24 hours to respond. If the class is not filled in the 24 hours we will move on to the next student on the list.

You will receive an email from our office offering you a spot in a class that you are waitlisted for as the class becomes available. You will then have 24 hours to accept the offering. Once you accept the offer to enroll we will then charge your card on file in your iClassPro account to complete the enrollment.

We do not offer refunds. However we will happily credit your account for future enrollments.

Credits may be used for Swim Lessons, Camps, Special Events, Merchandise, or Snack Shack punch cards.

Latch Instructions:

1. Press any button on the large Latch intercom.

2. Press the bottom button to scroll to swim school.

3. Press the right green button to call swim school.

4. Once swim school answers give swimmer's name and gate will be opened.

Instructions on how to get into the gate are also posted to the left of the gate intercom.

The pool entrance is located behind the Congregation, past the parking lot. You must check in with the pool attendant upon arrival for Swimming Lessons, Open Swim, and Camps.

Yes, please check in with our pool attendant or manager when you arrive to your child's swim lessons.

Students will receive a colored stamp on their hand and parents will receive a Water Watcher tag upon check in at the pool. Students must then wait with caregivers/parents until they are called to the pool.

Once students have been called to sit on their dots by the pool, parents must wait with their child until a member of the Makai Swim School team comes to collect your Water Watcher Tag and is ready to keep their eyes on your child.

The County Health Department requires all swimmers to shower before entering the pool during swim lessons, open swim, and camps.

Also in order for our pool to maintain crystal clear waters and not have to close due to cloudy water conditions, showers are imperative.

Yes. Only one changing room will be open. The changing room is Family/Co-ed and individual stalls are provided.

Restrooms are designated Boys or Girls. 

Yes, if your child is 3 years old or younger

We have found that most fecal incidents occur with children 5mo - 3 years old. These children may be potty trained or still working on using the toilet, however when in the warm pool and with the pressure of the water on their bellies they sometimes have a harder time distinguishing what their bodily needs are. They are also sometimes fearful of using an unfamiliar toilet and telling their instructor they need to use the toilet.

ALL CHILDREN 3 AND UNDER are required to wear the Happy Swim Diaper with a disposable swimmer diaper, OR the New Happy Nappy DUO.

The New Happy Nappy Duo is designed to capture and kill the cryptosporidium bacteria which other diapers do not.

Fecal accidents in the pool will cause unhealthy water and will cause the pool to close for several hours. County Health Requirement.

We sell the Splash About Happy Nappy Diapers on our website! Purchase online or at the pool for easy pick up and savings on shipping costs.

Amazon, Swim Outlet, and Splash About also carry them.

If you choose to use sunscreen it must be applied at least 20 minutes prior to entrance of the pool otherwise is simply washes off in the pool. If you are unable to put sunscreen on within the 20-minute set in period, then the swimmer will need to swim without sunscreen. UV Shirts are suggested.

You may return to the pool for swim lessons, open swim, or summer swim camp AFTER Day 5 of testing Positive IF:

You have no symptoms, or your symptoms are mild and getting better; AND

You have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking medicine that lowers fevers.

This policy is subject to change based on current CDC guidelines.

The pool will close for some of the following reasons: lightning/thunder, equipment failure, fecal matter, lack of attendance, poor air quality, or any reason mandated by County Health Officials.

You MUST Opt-in to email and text in your iClassPro account to be informed of such unexpected closures.

Your account will be credited for lessons, camps, or open swim appointments unexpectedly cancelled by Makai Swim School.

We will swim, rain or shine.

The pool also closes for certain calendar holidays. In 2025, our only expected scheduled closure is June 30-July 6 (Monday-Saturday). However, we have accounted for this closure within the length of 2025 Summer Session, so Summer Session students still receive 12 lessons within their session.