Swim Lesson, Training, & Coaching Details

(for triathletes, scroll down to anecdotes- I help you build to a master's level endurance)

Every child should learn to swim as drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children between 1 and 5. But swimming isn’t just survival: it’s freedom, confidence, and joy. My lessons combine three key elements:

1️⃣ Core swimming skills – floating, breath control, propulsion, and stroke development
2️⃣ Playful, positive water experiences – around swim readiness, I reach you to play with your kiddos through songs, games, and creative movement
3️⃣ Active parent involvement –  I ask parents to stay near the pool, or join me in the water, so you can see exactly what I’m doing and help your child practice outside of lessons. This is a big reason most kids progress within just a couple of sessions. Because I keep children swimming the entire time, your presence also supports safety and liability, especially with multiple children. 

For children (4+), I emphasize survival and self-rescue techniques; usually starting with floating and breath control and quickly advancing to confident swimming, often within just a couple of lessons. I'm trained in working with children with high-incidence disabilities, including ADHD and Asperger’s. My lived experience allows me to build strong trust with both these students and their parents. For low-incidence needs, I refer families to literal swim angels (they have a certification called Swim Whisperers).

For older kids and adults, I offer stroke refinement, triathlon training, and water confidence programs tailored to your goals. Beyond swimming, we also provide personal training and athlete coaching;  water can just be a part of that as it is some of the healthiest full-body/life-long cardio one can do.

SwimFairy focuses on getting most kids swimming within one or two lessons.  

Because of this, I don’t typically focus on children three and under, as kids at this age usually aren't swim ready/simply need more bath and pool playtime to build comfort with the water. I do offer a swim readiness class for this stage; however, my true passion is helping children swim confidently and efficiently once they’re ready (also, if they’re interested, supporting their transition to swim team). This approach allows me to help more families overall by educating parents of younger swimmers while also getting older kids swimming independently within only a lesson or two. More here around swim-readiness: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17rwAHqiWD/?mibextid=wwXIfr .

Georgetown’s programming follows a readiness-based approach in-line with my if philosophies. They offer group lessons starting at six months, which are a better fit for this stage, as children often need 6–12 weeks to learn to put their face/head in the water and relax on their back; these are the key milestones that show they’re ready to easily transition into formal swimming. Here's their baby class for six months and up: (https://georgetowntexas.gov/parks/programs/aquatics/swim_lessons.php#collapse41830b0) 

Aging brings challenges, but regular movement can help prevent or even reverse conditions like: heart disease, loss of balance, and muscular decline. My personal training focuses on just that- helping a client get to the basic prescriptions for daily health. My approach blends creativity, corrective exercise, and functional strength for every age and ability.

Recent clients include:
• A runner recovering from a foot injury — finding pain-free cardio alternatives
• A cancer survivor rebuilding balance and confidence
• A parent learning to swim alongside their child for the first time

• An adult athlete building explosive power, endurance, and conditioning 

• Coached a cross-country middle-school team to undefeated

Whether you’re four and learning to float or eighty-three and working to stand taller, I’ll meet you where you are.

For athletes, my coaching extends to run, bike, and swim performance with proven results (podium finishes, national qualifications, and improved training metrics through TriDot methodologies and personalized programming).

Swim Video Analysis Packages, Including:
• Pool time + filming (above & underwater)
• On-deck coaching
• Follow-up video review w/slow-mo breakdown and written/recorded feedback:

One Session – $179

3-Pack – $450 (save $87)
5-Pack – $700 (save $195)

Why it matters: video gives you a perspective you’ll never see on your own and those tiny stroke fixes = big speed gains.

Certified through USA Swimming, ISSA, Stages, TriDot, Yoga YTT, and Pilates Mat, and holding Lifeguard, First Aid, and CPR credentials, I’ve spent over two decades teaching thousands of swimmers, from babies to triathletes, independently and with employers like Lifetime and the YMCA 

I’m also experienced working with children on the spectrum and adults overcoming fear of water or post-rehabilitation challenges. My mission is to help every individual find their happy places in water and in daily wellness.

I help people move past fears and discomfort, building confidence and joy instead. Some are sensitive to the feel or smell of pool water, others depend on floatation for security or have had a past scare that made them hesitant. Whether your child is nervous about letting go of floaties, learning to hold their breath, or you’re preparing for a new sibling’s arrival- I create a calm, encouraging environment that turns fear into fun. 

Let’s build confidence, strength, and joy, from four to eighty-four.
🏊‍♀️ #PersonalTraining #SwimLessons #Triathlon #Health #SwimFairy

— In Love,
The SwimFairy (Shannon Bryant)

 

Options (Choose the perfect fit):

• Group (3+): $28 per for a 30-minute lesson/session
• Semi-Private (2): $57 per for a 30-minute lesson/session
• Private (1-on-1): $75 per for a 30-minute lesson

Note: Our prices include up to 15 minutes of travel time. For locations further away, a small additional fee may apply. 

GT Rec has allowed my small business and your families the equity of their space! See this link for their pricing as you get a better deal through them since they set the pricing:  https://www.facebook.com/GTXParksandRec/posts/now-offering-private-swim-lessons-at-the-georgetown-recreation-center-%EF%B8%8Fmeet-shan/1289159043250847/ 

When my older son was fearful of taking off his floaties, I scheduled lessons with a swim instructor for him. I called her The SwimFairy, which immediately caught my son’s interest. I told him that she would help him lose his fear of swimming without floaties. The idea of a SwimFairy that helps dispel fear while making learning to swim fun, accompanied by my passion for teaching swimming, took root. I thought if the idea of a SwimFairy brought such immediate and successful results with my son, what a good idea and great name for my blossoming swim instruction classes. Thus, SwimFairy was born! My sons are now 20 and 23, so I finally created an LLC around this near-20-year old brand.

Booking:

• To secure your spot, please make payment at least 24 hours before.
• If you need to cancel, let us know as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we can't offer refunds for no-shows.
• Running late? No worries! We'll make the most of the remaining time.
• If your instructor can't make it due to illness or emergency, we'll reschedule your lesson.

Keeping Everyone Healthy:

For the safety of all:

• If symptoms like coughing, runny nose, or fever, please let us know. We may need to reschedule to keep everyone healthy.

Weather Watch:

• We'll keep an eye on the weather and communicate with you if conditions look questionable.
• If lightning is detected within 10 miles, we'll reschedule. Any unused time will be added to your next lesson.

Preparing for Splash-Off!

To ensure a smooth and fun experience:

1. Arrive 15 minutes early to get ready.
2. Bring goggles and sinker toys for extra fun.
3. Tie back long hair to keep it out of your child's face.
4. For our littlest swimmers, please use swim diapers if needed.
5. Have a cozy towel ready for after the lesson.

Safety First:

• Children should only enter the water when their instructor says it's okay.
• We encourage safe, respectful behavior from all our swimmers.
• Please stay nearby during lessons if your child is under 12. Your presence helps your child progress faster as it allows for instant feedback. I even welcome parents in the pool. I’m that transparent, plus, it supports safety and liability.
• Remember, we're only responsible for your child during their scheduled lesson time. This is often relevant because parents try one kid with me and then bring me their others (since I am so good at teaching streamlining and refining all their strokes).  I can't watch one child while teaching their sibling, and vice versa. 

We can't wait to see you at the pool! If you have any questions, just ask your SwimFairy instructor. Let's make some waves together!

Infant-Toddler Focus:

• Provides a positive water experience with songs and play, providing readiness for swimming and basic water skills. Not a survival/self-rescue course.

I will be writing a book to read with your child to help them prepare for their swim lesson. But in the meantime, here are some suggestions:

• Arrival: Arrive 15 minutes early to prep your child.
• Gear: We discuss. in your paperwork and at your first lesson, some gear that is helpful to your child's learning.
• Swim Diapers: Required for non-potty-trained children.
• Towel: Have a towel ready for when your child exits the pool.

Here's what the last triathlete I helped said about his first lesson: 

“After just one session with Shannon I was able to:

1.)Understand how to rotate my body and breathe more smoothly 
2.)Take a longer pull with an effective paddle/hand pull
3.)Kick using the right muscles in the leg
4.)Get a steady rhythm to the breathing within the stroke to know when to take a breath.
With just a few technical adjustments, I already feel much more comfortable in the water.”
(Clinton, first-time Ironman)

Regarding lessons I am currently teaching, the mom said she was spending over $400 a month for a swim school with Tots in their name and her babies never got anywhere. I have her oldest swimming, and at a level three within like four lessons and that usually takes them like a whole block of eight lessons times three at a swim school. 

Before that, a son was apprehensive, but I quickly had him saying that he was having fun and within one lesson the mom said he was swimming!

Yet another, a middle school, didn't get onto Nitro's team first try; within two hours/two lessons, I had taught her all her strokes well so she was able to get on the team.

Even earlier, I met an adult triathlete. With the running times he mentioned, he is extremely competitive. Even though his swim form was quite decent, he said he felt like he was drowning. So I focused on the couple of small improvements he seemed to need to reduce his drag. But mainly had him do the catch-up drill, to ensure he was getting enough room and time to breathe, and taking the time to relax his stroke in a prone glide. He was also worried about his endurance, so I scheduled him in Lifetime's adult master swim program.  

Lastly, one six year old was brought to me with a lot of fears; first lesson couldn't get her comfortable on her back or to get her face in. Second lesson, she started to move toward and even do some of these things. But most importantly, the mom's goal was for me to get her swimming by their vacation, so this is all the time they got with me. Well guess what- she started swimming while she was on vacation; it took a snorkel, which to me says that the submerging and breathing may have been rushed or even skipped. But I have a feeling she will get there because she is in the water and that is often all this takes is more time in the water. But just focus it on getting their heads full emerged and relaxing on their back, playfully, and they all get there. If it take one try or 6 - 12 weeks, that's what they needed! Don't rush it, just play and have fun! 

- Looking to offer meditation classes and workshops to de-stress teachers and help them de-stress and focus their students.

- Ask me about in-home yoga parties and yoga triathlons, too.