Swim . Strengthen . Succeed
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About
The Program
Our program is designed to teach your child to swim in weeks not years. Our instructors use consistency and repetition to teach your child the skills they need to be safe and have fun in the water. We have successfully taught thousands of kids to swim.
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To hear more from our parents click here. You are more than welcome to drop by one of our classes to see it in person.
Senior Instructor - Jeffrey Nichols
Jeffrey Nichols, affectionately known by his students as "Mr. Jeffrey," is the founder and owner of SwimPrep, LLC, where he is dedicated to providing a vital layer of protection against drowning through expert instruction and proven techniques.
Jeffrey specializes in teaching swim lessons to children of all ages and abilities, including those on the autism spectrum and children with physical or mental limitations. He is deeply passionate about water safety and is committed to ensuring that every child learns essential skills to help protect themselves in a water emergency.
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He holds a variety of certifications:
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Certified Infant Aquatics Instructor
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Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor
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Adult, Child & Infant CPR Certified
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First Aid Certified
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AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Certified
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In addition to his focus on water safety, Jeffrey also leads FloatFitness classes and enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
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Katy McCrory
Swim Instructor
Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Katy McCrory has called Alabama home for the past 18 years. After graduating from Auburn University, Katy pursued a career in nursing, spending over a decade working at Jackson Hospital and Baptist South. During this time, she developed a reputation for her dedication and compassion in caring for her patients.
Katy is married and the proud mom of two children who bring her endless joy. Her oldest loves both baseball and math, while her 3-year-old daughter is all about pink and unicorns.
Katy’s journey took an unexpected but exciting turn after both of her children completed the SwimPrep program. Watching their growth and development in the water sparked a new interest in her, inspiring Katy to make a significant career change. In 2022, she joined the SwimPrep team as a swim instructor, where she brings the same dedication and care that marked her nursing career. Her passion for teaching and working with children has made her an invaluable part of the SwimPrep family, helping others build confidence and skill in the water.
When she’s not working, Katy enjoys reading suspense and mystery novels, coaching her daughter’s soccer team and soaking in time with friends and family.
Claudia Hinds
Stroke Instructor
As a retired college instructor in biological sciences, Claudua brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the world of aquatic instruction. Alongside her husband, she raised two daughters who share a deep connection with swimming. Their eldest pursued Civil Engineering at the University of Texas, while the youngest competed as a University of Florida swimmer, even earning a bronze medal in the 2020 Olympics in the 4x100 Freestyle Relay.
From an early age, Claudia recognized the importance of water safety and survival skills. Both daughters were introduced to the water as infants, learning not only survival techniques but also developing a lifelong respect and love for swimming. This foundation led them to successful competitive swimming careers throughout their youth.
As an avid swimmer herself, Claudia has taught water aerobics, stroke techniques, and, thanks to extensive training with Jeffrey Nichols, water survival skills to individuals of all ages. Currently, she serves as a stroke instructor for both children and adults, helping swimmers of all skill levels improve their technique and confidence in the water.
When not in the pool, Claudia enjoys quilting, reading, gardening, and cooking, bringing the same dedication and attention to detail to her personal interests as she does to her instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my child learn in 10 minute a lesson?
Young children have a very short attention span. Our lessons are structured to create muscle memory. The short lesson time, allows the child to process the lesson without bombarding them with too much information too fast.
Will my child retain what they learn?
Swim lessons are like any learned skill. The more you practice, the more you retain and the better you get. We highly recommend swimmers take two to three Enhancement Courses throughout the year. Those lessons are two days a week.
What if my child dosen't like to get their face wet?
Being able to put your face in the water is a vital part of learning to swim. That is why we get that out of the way the very first day. Once the swimmer grows in confidence, it becomes a non issue.
Where are lessons held?
SwimPrep Facility
2212 Howard Murfee Blvd, Prattville, AL​​
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Do you guarntee your lessons?
We stress the survival part of our lessons. If your child is unable to float on their back unassisted after the initial six weeks, we will continue to swim them at no additional charge until we are confident in their ability to float.
Should I be concerned about "Dry Drowning"?
The short answer is No. For further explanation, check out this article from Nurse Practioner,
Danielle McBurnette.
What if we miss a lesson?
We encourage you to do your best to not miss any lessons. Our program works because of the consistency of our program. However, we understand "life" can happen. Therefore, we offer TWO makeup lessons during each six week session.
Do parents get in the water during lessons?
Towards the end of each session
in week 5 or 6 - the instructor will let parents get in the water to show them how they can practice with their child.
Partnerships
We are happy to partner with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance & Parents Preventing Childhood Drowning to educate and bring awareness to the childhood drowning epidemic.
Please visit their websites for more educational materials & resources. While you are there see how you can get involved!
