We specialize in private one-on-one swim lessons, ensuring each swimmer receives undivided attention throughout their entire session. Instead of waiting on the wall for others to practice, you or your child (we work with lots of adults!)  will be the primary focus. During the first lesson, our instructor will assess your or your child's abilities and tailor the instruction accordingly. We treat every swimmer as an individual, making each lesson fun while emphasizing water safety and skill development!

There are many providers in the area like the YMCA and Goldfish that primarily offer group swim lessons.  These lessons are attractive for a number of reasons, including their percieved cost. When considering group swim lessons, it's crucial to look beyond the initial price and think about the actual value received during each session. In many group lessons, swimmers can spend a significant portion of the time sitting on the wall, waiting for their turn. For example, in a 30-minute session, if there are 5 students, each student is only getting 6 minutes of active instruction. If that lesson costs $30, and there are only 6 minutes of true engagement, the real cost jumps to $5 per minute.

This lack of active learning time not only diminishes the value of each session but can also slow progress. As a result, more sessions might be needed to achieve the same outcomes that could be reached more quickly with private lessons. Although private lessons may have a higher upfront cost, they ensure every minute is used effectively, with focused, one-on-one attention and personalization that accelerates learning. This makes private lessons much more cost effective in the long run. Swim Lessons with Mary is rooted in the belief that 1-1 instruction is key to effective learning. 

Our lessons are FUN! We believe that kiddos learn best when they are playing. Your instructor will arrive up at your preferred pool before your lesson start time. The instructor will bring fun pool toys and equipment for the lesson and work with your child for 30 minutes, adjusting according to their skill and fear level.   

Your instructor will talk through prior experience and goals before getting started, and at the end, the last 3 minutes of each lesson are reserved for providing a recap of what was accomplished, what the roadmap is going forward and how you can work on skills outside of class.  

The last 3 minutes of the lesson are reserved for talking to parents about the lesson, goals and homework - ask any questions you've got! We're happy to provide practice ideas and feedback.

When you enroll in recurring lessons, your spot is held for you each week — you return at the same day and time. That means that your child gets the benefit of consistency and predictability. For young children especially, that consistency can make a huge difference. 

Flexible lessons can be scheduled as often as you like, even up to the day of the lesson. With flexible lessons you have the option of not committing to a day and time. We can’t guarantee day/time/instructor consistency, but it’s a great way to get in the water if you have a changing schedule, are waiting for a recurring time slot to open or if you want your child to brush up on a few skills. 

Instructors use the SLWM Skills tracker to monitor progress, and you'll bring this with you to each lesson so that all our instructors are ready to tailor their lessons to your child’s ability.  

There are so many variables to adult and children’s progress in swimming that there isn’t a general answer to this question. It depends on whether you/your child love the water or are fearful to get in; desire to learn; and how you learn. Just like in other activities and developmental stages, different children progress at different rates. It also depends on what your goals are for them: is it just to get them water safe, or is it to be ready for swim team? The benefit of private lessons is that we tailor the lessons based on their needs, which results in faster progress. We are always happy to talk about your goals and figure out the best plan of action.

On your first day of lessons, your SLWM instructor will provide you with a SLWM Skills Tracking Sheet.  This will provide a roadmap for milestones at each level: Beginner (Water Safety), Intermediate (Intro to Stroke), Advanced (Stroke and Technique).  The last 3 minutes of each lesson are reserved for feedback.  During this time, your instructor will walk through the chart with you and provide feedback on what milestone(s) were accomplished, and what the goals are for next time.  You'll leave the Skills Tracker in your swim bag and bring it with you to each lesson.

If you have questions or concerns that you don’t feel are being addressed by the instructor, please call or email us. Our number one goal is for you/your child to have a productive and fun time at swim lessons! 

Our lessons are 30 minutes of 1-1 time with your SLWM instructor. We recommend taking at least 1 lesson per week.  Like learning anything, keeping consistent is key for making progress.   The last 3 minutes of each lesson are reserved for providing a recap of what was accomplished, what the roadmap is going forward and how you can work on skills outside of class.   

For a more fast track approach, or for more hesitant swimmers, the consistency of 2 lessons per week can be very beneficial. 

For our indoor lessons, you can book flexible lessons online according to the availability on our calendar.  You will create an account, purchase a lesson package that works for you and go from there to schedule.  For our flexible booking packages, you can schedule starting on the 15th at 7am the month before.   We have a waitlist enabled online for flexible lessons, so you can snag openings if a swimmer cancels.  These are on a first response basis. 

Recurring lessons are scheduled by our staff and a recurring request can be submitted on our website. 

Clients can jump on the waitlist for flexible or for recurring makeup lessons through the Swim Lessons with Mary app or online portal.

If a spot opens up, all clients on the waitlist are notified.  The first to accept through the notification process in the portal will be the first to get the spot.  

All regular cancellation policies apply.  Clients must have a credit card on file to join the waitlist.  If you choose to accept a booking and do not have an applicable pass or package, a 4 pack of lessons will automatically be sold to your account. 

For summer traveling lessons, we will take your availability and create a schedule from there! We will reach out to you before the summer begins to set a consistent day/time that will work each week for your lesson.  Typically our signups begin around February/March.  Watch our email and social for updates!

Lessons are in a private setting, so you won’t feel embarrassed or overwhelmed. Our instructors will teach you at your own pace.

At SLWM, we prioritize pool cleanliness to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all swimmers. For our non-potty-trained swimmers, we require the Happy Nappy Duo for defense at each lesson.  This provides an extra layer of security, allowing for the crucial 3-5 minute window recommended by the CDC to prevent leaks.  It is the only swim diaper that kills pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, E.Coli and COVID 19 in its unique silver lining.  

SLWM instructors will check with parents of non-potty trained students before each lesson to ensure their child has the Happy Nappy Duo on before entering the water, and non-potty trained students will not be able to participate without it. SLWM does not allow the use of any type of disposable diaper in the pool. These diapers do not keep solids from entering the pool. Thank you for your help keeping a sparkling clean pool and great experience for all of our swimmers and staff. 

Yes, as long as there is no lightning. If there is lightning, we will reschedule.

Just a swimsuit, goggles, swim diaper (if age appropriate) and a towel! We have all the equipment, toys and everything else necessary for a great lesson!

Our one-on-one instruction means that we do not have parents get in the water. This will help your child develop a bond with their instructor, leading to a more positive swim experience. Parents are welcome to watch from a viewing area.  If a child is particiularly hesitant, we often recommend being out of site for the first few lessons while they build confidence and rapport with their instructor. 

We expect children between ages 0-3 will cry for the first 2 - 3 lessons. This is absolutely normal — kids are adjusting to a new person, learning how to learn/act in a class, and gaining confidence in their new instructor and the water. This is a part of the process and we are here to help. Generally, when parents remain out of sight it speeds up the adjustment process. 

We have reward program set up in the client portal and app.  You can earn points and redeem them for free lessons.  The easiest place to monitor this is through the Swim Lessons with Mary app, this is where all of the reward points will be tracked and totaled - no exceptions.  Points are per student profile and cannot be combined with other students.  Check out the parameters below:

• Redeem 150 points for a beginner, intermediate or advanced flexible lesson at our Greenville or Spartanburg locations

Earn points for the following:

• 75 points for attending 16 lessons within a year
• 150 points for attending 32 lessons within a year 
• 15 points for referring a prospective client (new client must log your email as a referral during their signup process)
• 25 points for referring a client that purchases a ‘Same Day Lesson’
• 75 points for referring a client that purchases a flexible or recurring package
• 75 points for booking a lesson and sharing it on Facebook (process flow through the Swim Lessons with Mary app, limit of 4 per year)

We are open Monday - Friday year round.  The following dates we are closed in 2025:

Jan 1 (New Years Day)

May 26 (Memorial Day)

July 4 (Independence Day)

September 2 (Labor Day)

November 27 - 28 (Thanksgiving Break)

December 24 - 31 (Christmas Break)

Click here for more information and begin the signup process!