Frequently Asked Questions

Advent Health Wellness Center in Celebration pool policies and procedures. 

  • Please sign in with the Wellness Center front desk each time you arrive for classes.
  • Please enter the pool area at your designated class time and limit the number of people coming with you to avoid crowding on the pool deck.
  • Sharks & Minnows participants & Wellness Center Members with children must enter & exit the pool area along the sides of the building where the family bathrooms & lockers are located. Please ask the front-desk if you need assistance.
  • Children & Wellness Center members children under 8yrs are not permitted to enter or exit through the Adult locker rooms.
  • Participants may use the family bathroom & family locker rooms for changing & showering. It is best to come dressed in a swimsuit and ready to go.
  • Please bring your own towel as this facility does not provide towel service.
  • The parent/guardian must stay in the pool area during the entire class time.
  • Sharks & Minnows participants & Wellness Center Members with children must exit the facility once their lesson is complete.
What kind of program do you have for my toddler?
We have a specially designed infant/toddler program, called Tadpole and Frog. It is for children 6 to 36 months old, and we require the parent to be in the water with the child.
How old does my child have to be to take lessons?
We provide lessons to everyone 6 months old and up.
What is a session?
A session consists of eight 30-minute long classes.
How many sessions will my child need?
That depends. We recommend registering for multiple sessions in the early stages. We understand that every child learns at a different rate. It may take a child one session to master the skills of a level, or it may take several sessions. Each session is a building block, so the more instruction your child receives, the more confident your child will be in and around the water.
How many students are in each class?
We keep the enrollment for each class between three and five students.
How long will it take for my child to learn how to swim?
It depends on what your definition of learning to swim is. Some consider just making it to the side of the pool learning to swim. Learning to swim is an ongoing process. A child can be safe in the water long before that process is completed. Each child comes to swimming lessons with a different set of circumstances. A child who is comfortable in the water will certainly learn faster than a child who has had a negative experience in the water. Our goal is the end result, not how fast we get there.
How qualified are your instructors?
All of our instructors are Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and CPR Certified. We also require that our instructors go through additional in-house training with Sharks & Minnows. In addition, they all have previous backgrounds in either education or in competitive swimming. All in all, they each have over 70 hours of training prior to teaching one class on their own.
What about private classes?
Although we do have private classes, they are very limited. Those we do schedule occur either before or after the group classes, depending on the availability of the instructor.
What if it is raining?

Please show up to class regardless of the weather. Only the Instructor has the authority to cancel a class. In the event of bad weather, the Instructor will make a decision whether to cancel a class at the time of the class or 10 minutes into the class. If the Instructor cancels a class, that class will be rescheduled. Classes are still taught in light rain. If there is thunder or lightning in the area, or if the rain becomes too heavy to safely conduct class, the Instructor will conduct the Safety Day portion of the curriculum in a location outside of the pool and away from the elements. It is best to assume that classes are on as scheduled unless you receive a call from the office or the instructor stating otherwise.

What if I have to miss a class? Are there make-up classes?
Please refer to our policy page regarding missed classes.
How do I sign up?

You can register online at www.sharksandminnows.com or over the phone: 407-699-1992

How can I pay for the classes?
You can pay with VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover over the phone.

We accept checks and money orders, as long as they are mailed to our office within five business days of you signing up for the classes. If the check or money order is not in our office after 5 business days, you may lose your spot in the class.

Make sure you write on the check:
-The name of your child
-The pool where you are taking your lessons
-The date of the first day of class
-The time of your class

Can I just bring a check to the pool?
It’s probably not a good idea. Our instructors make it back to the office only once a week, if that. The check might be lost or get wet, and then you might lose your spot. To avoid this, please mail it.
What does my child have to wear?
Children under 3 years of age:

-It is mandatory for all children under the age of 3 to wear a reusable swimming diaper not little swimmers throw away diapers.

Children over 3 years of age:

-Boys: Swimming briefs or trunks with drawstrings are preferred.

-Girls: One-piece tank suits are preferred.

Adults (Tadpole/Frog classes):

-Men: Swimming briefs or trunks with drawstrings are preferred.

-Ladies: One-piece tank suits are preferred. Please bring your own towel to the pool.

Should I feed my child before class?
To prevent any accidents, we recommend that you should not feed your child anything for at least one hour prior to the start of class. If you do plan on feeding your child, make sure it is something light, such as anything included in the B.R.A.T. Diet, i.e. bananas, rice, apple sauce, or toast. Please stay away from any dairy or citrus products.
What is Our Training Philosophy?
We believe that learning to swim is a skill that will last a lifetime and one that no person should go without, young or old. Our classes are taught in a friendly environment, and our approach to teaching is based on creativity and fun. Our goal is to create a positive impression on both our students and their parents; one that will last long after our classes have finished.
Why Should Your Child Learn to Swim?
10 Other Reasons Children Should Learn to Swim

1. Physical Development – learning to swim at an early age not only increases their physical development but also but their power of concentration & coordination.

2. Make new friends – Community Pools are a great place for kids to make friends and develop social skills. Swimming is also a skill that they can have in common with other children.

3. Builds self esteem – Being able to do something well builds children’s self-confidence & self esteem.

4. Summer time blues – a visit to the pool takes kids out of the house and relieves summer boredom.

5. Heat relief – kids get cooled off from the hot Florida sun and Mom’s stress gets melted away.

6. Inexpensive – Swimming is an inexpensive form of family entrainment.

7. Safe place for fun – Swimming in a supervised area allows you to easily keep your eyes on your children.

8. Sleep aid – After swimming in the afternoons, kids eat better and sleep earlier and sounder.

9. Peace of mind – Knowing that your child is a strong swimmer gives you some peace of mind when your child visits a friends house to swim.

10. New Adventures – now that they swim well, this opens the door to other water sports such as surfing, wake boarding, swim teams, and diving. This strong foundation assures that they will do well.

Want to Get the Most From Our Classes?
Go to all your classes! Remember that each class builds upon the skills that are learned in the previous class, so continuity is a key to your child learning all of the skills taught in the class.

Communicate with your instructor! They have answers to almost all the questions you have. But remember, they cannot help you unless you ask them. They are always willing to help you!

Have your child communicate with the instructor as well.

Arrive at class 10-15 minutes early. This will ensure that the class will start on time, the instructor will not have to go back over material already taught, and also that you and your child will feel relaxed and not rushed. Arriving late will disrupt the class.

Observe your child’s classes and practice the skills taught in class at home on off days. This way, your child will be ready to learn new skills for the next class. Remember, what you put into the class is what you will get out of it!

Be your child’s biggest fan! Giving praise when they do something well encourages positive reinforcement.

Try venturing to new pools. This enables your child to see other children swimming, and helps to curb any fears they may have about swimming in strange places.

If your child starts to cry or get upset, it may be best to observe the class from a point out of sight. It may be difficult at first, but they will soon adjust.

Once the session is complete, don’t just stop! Enroll your child into the next session, so that they can continue the ongoing process of learning to swim.

If you plan to feed your child within an hour before class, remember to stick to the B.R.A.T. Diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast). No dairy or citrus products!