The Minnow School is Flagstaff Snow Sharks' Learn to Swim Program
Minnow School Coordinator: Xander Pollock [email protected]

In cases of pool closure or absence regardless of reason, Snow Sharks is unable to refund families for days missed, however we do offer Makeup Lessons on Saturdays and, on a case-by-case basis, for those who swim on Saturdays alone.
 

All classes are at Flagstaff High School (FHS) unless otherwise noted. 

Cost:
Yearly Registration Fee
$125/family for all levels. Due August 1st or your first day of lessons regardless of when you begin.

Monthly Dues
Guppy: M/W and T/TH $95/month, Saturdays $55/month             
Bull, Tiger, and Hammerhead Sharks: M/W and T/Th $100/month, Saturday $60/month

Current Minnow swimmers who want to suspend their account or go on break, must email the Minnow School Coordinator for the Break Request Form at least 5 business days before the end of the month to avoid being charged for the next month.
 

Times:
During the majority of the year, our class schedule depends on our coaches' availabilities. Typically lessons occur in regular intervalves during these hours:
     Monday & Wednesday: 3:45 - 6-45 PM
     Tuesday & Thursday: 4:30 - 6:45 PM
     Saturdays: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
During June and July only we offer early morning lessons during the hours of 7:30-9:00 AM Monday thru Thursday.
During swim season, we share our pool with two other teams and run the limited hours of 5:15-6:45 PM during the week. You may see increased numbers in your swimmers' classes during this time.
 

Levels:
Our skills-based levels seek to develop well-rounded swimmers who feel comfortable and move efficiently in the water, introducing the basic building blocks of the four strokes from Guppy to Hammerhead so swimmers can gain confidence and later swim competitively should they desire. Swimmers focus on demonstrative goals in each level before moving up to thrive in the next. At each level, their coaches' general goal is to build swimmers' comfort in the water by refining their technique, building their endurance, and encouraging both their confidence and focus. Our coaching at the Minnow level focuses on in-water instruction, using the deck as a tool for instruction when it is safely applicable. 

The Minnow School Coordinator will advise you on the level for which your swimmer is best suited. They will work alongside your swimmer's coach to evaluate their progress on each of their goals. To discover the goals each swimmer is evaluated on, click the levels below.

Guppy: 30 Minute Lessons. Classes meet 1 or 2 days per week.
The Guppy level is designed to teach our youngest swimmers water safety and comfortability in the water while also introducing the basic building blocks for the four strokes. Guppy classes are the first level of our learn to swim program. Swimmers need to be 2.5 to join but need no experience.

Bull Sharks: 45 Minute Lessons. Classes meet 1 or 2 days per week.         
The Bull Shark level teaches swimmers how to independently move through the water. Coaches focus on kicking, side breathing, streamlining, safety skills, and dives. Bull Shark is the second level in our program, but your new swimmer may begin here at the Minnow School Coordinator's discretion.

Tiger Sharks: 45 Minute Lessons. Classes meet 1 or 2 days per week.
The Tiger Shark level builds on the independance and techniques learned in Bull Shark to teach swimmers the basics of freestyle and backstroke while also building endurance. Coaches also introduce some components of butterfly and breastroke, add new dives, and introduce flipturns and other skills useful for learning the four strokes. Mastery of Bull Shark skills is required before joining Tiger Sharks. 

Hammerhead Sharks: 45 Minute Lessons. Classes meet 2 days per week.
The Hammerhead Shark level teaches swimmers the basics of butterfly and breaststroke, refines freestyle and backstroke, and builds endurance across the board. The goal of swimmers in this level is to establish basic understanding and strength in not only the four strokes but also other skills such as dives, turns, and finishes. After this level, swimmers move to our pre-competivive team, the Great White Sharks, to iron out lingering issues in their technique and build their endurance. Mastery of Tiger Shark skills is required before joining Hammerheads.

Private Lessons:

Please note: The Minnow School Coordinator may cap our Private Request List at any time. Likewise, those seeking Privates while awaiting Group Lessons will often be reached on the Group Lesson Waitlist first, due to capactiy limits and the length of both lists. These lists are distinct and registration on one does NOT register the applicant on both lists.

FSS Minnow School strongly believes in the power of group instruction and prioritizes group lessons to meet the ever expanding need of our community, however we understand there are some swimmers who require 1:1 instruction to succeed and are not able to find the same success in group lessons. 

With regard for a few exceptions, the Minnow School Coordinator manages most Private and Semi-Private Lessons for Flagstaff Snow Sharks. Private Lessons are available for any swimmer over the age of 2.5, including adults with little comfort in the water, desire to strengthen their skills, or are swimming toward specific athletic goals. Semi-Private Lessons are only available for those swimmers of similar capability. Likewise, all Private Lessons are only available as space and coach availability allows. Those seeking the quickest entry into our program, should join the Group Lesson Waitlist ASAP. 

If you are interested in Private Lessons for yourself or your child, please contact the Minnow School Coordinator, Cade Bains, directly at [email protected]  (filling out the email prompt fully). Those interested in Private Lessons or Group Lessons need also sign-up on the Waitlist and may not be given priority over those seeking continuous Private Lessons so we may continue meet the need of those in the community who are not able to swim in our set groups.

Cost*: 
1 Swimmer for 30 min = $35 per Private Lesson
1 Swimmer for 45 min = $50 per Private Lesson
1 Swimmer for 60 min = $65 per Private Lesson
2-4 Swimmer for 30 min = $45 per Semi-Private Lesson
2-4 Swimmer for 45 min = $70 per Semi-Private Lesson
2-4 Swimmer for 60 min = $85 per Semi-Private Lesson

*Costs are subject to change at any time. Existing swimmers will be notified in advance of cost increases