How does your centre run swimming lessons? What is the best way to schedule and manage your swimming program?

When creating a swim school timetable, many centres consider whether to operate a perpetual swimming program or a term-based swimming program. Both options have benefits and challenges that can impact swimmers, families, teachers, administration and the overall operation of your swim centre.

This article explores the pros and cons of perpetual swimming and term swimming programs to help you consider which scheduling model may work best for your centre.

What Is Perpetual Swimming?

Swimming year-round has benefits and negatives attached to it. The following are a few things to consider when scheduling a perpetual swimming program at your swim centre.

Perpetual Swimming Pros

• Keeps clients swimming throughout the entire year without giving them an option for a break.
• Avoids the headaches of rebooking week and alleviates long lines for administration.
• Financial payments continue throughout the year while clients continue to swim.
• Clients don’t need to remember or pay attention to breaks as they continue to swim.
• It is the client, not the centre’s, responsibility to continue swimming or cancel as they see fit.

Perpetual Swimming Cons

• Staff may become tired, run down and cranky without a designated break.
• Classes can become stagnant without much movement or change over time.
• There is no dedicated time within the program for holiday courses, free intensives, clinics or special occasions.
• There can be an ethical dilemma when taking payment for times when swimming lessons won’t occur, for example public holidays.
• Swimmers can become used to the same teacher each week and may not be willing to give others a go.

What Is Term Swimming?

Having a centre that runs lessons within school terms or creates its own swimming terms can be both a positive and negative experience.

The following are some points to consider when scheduling a term swimming program within your centre.

Term Swimming Pros

• Provides a beginning and end date for parents, swimmers and staff to work towards a common goal.
• Payment can be made in full for an entire term upfront or through ongoing payments.
• Gives instructors, classes and lesson times the opportunity to change once a term has finished.
• Allows swimmers who are tired, bored or uninterested to have a break and return refreshed.
• Gives swim centres the flexibility to schedule more or fewer classes depending on seasons, public patrons, school swimming programs, time of year and other circumstances.

Term Swimming Cons

• Administration spends a lot of time rebooking clients into exactly the same booking.
• If clients are away during rebooking week, they may miss out on their regular spot.
• A break may impact swimmers who rely on routine and repetition.
• New clients booked into established classes may pose a challenge for teachers.
• Terms may not align with all school systems due to Private, Public and Independent school calendars.

Perpetual Swimming vs Term Swimming: Which Is Best for Your Swim Centre?

These are just a few thoughts on the perpetual swimming versus term swimming debate within the aquatics industry.

Every swim centre is different, and the best scheduling model will depend on your customers, staff, facilities and business structure. 

Helping Your Swim School Grow

Running a successful swim program requires more than just managing lesson schedules. Providing your team with access to quality training, resources and professional development can help create consistent, high-quality learning experiences for every swimmer.

Swim schools can explore how our swim school platforms can support your centre with staff development, expert resources and ongoing learning opportunities — all designed to help strengthen your swimming program.

Take a look at how our swim school platforms can help your centre today.