Private Swim Lessons in Austin: Some Swimmers Need Someone Who Sees Them.
Every swimmer is different. Some children are hesitant and need more time to build trust with the water. Some are working through a specific skill that group classes have not resolved. Some adults have been putting off learning for years. Our private and semi-private swim lessons in Austin are built around the individual in front of the instructor, their pace, their goals, their starting point.
Private lessons are $85 per session. Semi-private (two students) are $120 per session or $60 per child. Private lessons are booked by creating an account or logging in, online or through the Tom’s Swim app. Semi-private lessons are booked using the signup form below: our staff will work directly with you to confirm a lesson partner and get you scheduled.
Who Benefits Most from Private Instruction
Children or adults who need more time to build trust
Some swimmers are not ready for a group setting. Private lessons create a low-pressure environment where comfort can develop at the swimmer’s own pace, with one instructor focused entirely on them.
Children stuck on a specific skill
Side breathing, flip turns, butterfly, some skills just need more focused repetition than a group class can provide. Private lessons let the instructor target the exact thing holding the swimmer back.
Adults learning to swim or returning after years away
Adult learners are not children who are behind. They have different anxieties, different goals, and different learning patterns. Our instructors approach adult lessons directly, patiently, and without condescension.
Children who want to move through levels faster
Group classes meet once a week. Private lessons allow more frequent, focused practice for swimmers who are ready to move faster and want more dedicated instruction time.
Two swimmers at a similar level learning together
Semi-private lessons work well for two children at a similar level: siblings, cousins, or friends who want to learn together with more attention than a group class provides.
Not sure which group class level is right?
A placement assessment is free. An instructor evaluates your child and recommends the right group class level. It removes the guesswork and makes sure your child starts in the right place. Book a free assessment online.
Private or Semi-Private: Which Fits Your Swimmer?
Both formats put your swimmer in front of a Tom’s instructor with far more attention than a group class allows. The difference is who else is in the water.
Private · $85 per session
One instructor, one swimmer, full attention for the entire session. Best when a swimmer needs individualized pacing: significant fear of the water, a specific skill that needs undivided focus, or an adult learner who wants privacy while building confidence.
Semi-Private · $120 per session ($60 per child)
One instructor, two swimmers at a similar level. Costs less per swimmer than a solo private lesson, and many kids stay more engaged with a partner in the water: siblings, cousins, or a friend who swims at a similar level. Semi-private lessons are booked using our semi-private signup form rather than the online portal, so our staff can work directly with you to find the right lesson partner and confirm scheduling.
Not sure which is the better fit? Call us at (512) 451-3425 and we will help you decide based on your swimmer’s age, comfort level, and goals.
Book online or call us to schedule.
Private and adult lessons: create an account or log in to book. Semi-private lessons: use the signup form and our staff will work with you directly on scheduling and pairing.
Private lessons at Tom’s Dive & Swim, Austin, TX.
How a Private Lesson Works
Your instructor reads your swimmer
The first session (or a free placement assessment) establishes where your swimmer is: what they can do, what they are avoiding, and where the real gap is. Every subsequent session builds from that honest baseline. Book a free assessment online.
One instructor. One or two swimmers. Focused repetition.
Private and semi-private lessons are 30 minutes of direct instruction with far less waiting than a group class. The instructor adapts in real time: when something clicks, they advance. When something needs more work, they stay. No fixed group pace to keep up with.
Practice makes the lesson count
Your instructor will suggest specific things to practice at home or during open swim. Even 10 to 15 minutes of unassisted practice between sessions accelerates progress significantly. Consistency is the biggest factor in improvement.
Private Lessons Work Best in the Right Environment.
90°F: warm enough to help nervous swimmers relax.
A warm pool removes a significant barrier for anxious swimmers of any age. Cold water makes people tense. Our 90°F indoor pool is available for private lessons year-round, regardless of season or weather.
Adults are taught with adult context.
Adult learners are not children who are behind. They have different motivations, different anxieties, and different learning patterns. Our instructors approach adult lessons accordingly: direct, patient, and without condescension. Adult swim lessons here are private and patient, built around real adult schedules and goals.
Instructors who understand nervous swimmers.
Our swim instructors are trained, background-checked, and experienced with swimmers of all ages and starting points. Private lessons are not an afterthought: they are part of what Tom’s has offered Austin swimmers since 1998.
Not sure where to start? Try a free placement assessment.
A placement assessment removes the guesswork before you commit to a program. An instructor evaluates your swimmer and recommends the right starting point, at no cost. Book a free assessment online.
What Parents Say
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From our over 400 five-star Google reviews.
“Our kids had a wonderful experience with semi-private swim classes with Coach Pearl. Their ability to handle themselves in the water has improved tremendously.”
Jessica L.T., Semi-Private Swim Lessons
“Everyone at Tom’s is very kind and welcoming. Our swim instructor was very knowledgeable and patient. My youngest has made so much progress.”
Erin I., Swim Lessons Parent
Meet the Tom’s swim instructor team.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My child or I am afraid of the water. Would private lessons help?
Yes: private lessons are often the best starting point for fearful swimmers. A group class moves at a group pace, which can feel overwhelming for someone who is genuinely anxious. A private lesson gives the instructor full attention to work at your pace, build trust slowly, and never push past what feels safe. Many swimmers who struggled in group settings have had real breakthroughs in private lessons. If fear of water is the concern, call us before booking: we can help you understand what to expect and whether private lessons or a placement assessment makes more sense as a first step.
How do I book a private swim lesson at Tom’s?
Private and adult lessons can be booked by creating an account (or logging in if you’re already enrolled) online or through the Tom’s Swim app (free for iOS and Android). Semi-private lessons use a separate semi-private signup form: our staff will follow up to help confirm a lesson partner and get you scheduled. Questions first? Call (512) 451-3425 or email swim@tomsscuba.com.
How much do private swim lessons cost at Tom’s?
Private lessons are $85 per session. Semi-private lessons (two students) are $120 per session, or $60 per child.
How long is a private swim lesson?
30 minutes of direct instruction, with far less waiting than a group class. Your instructor adapts in real time, moving faster when something clicks or slowing down when it needs more work.
Who can I bring to a semi-private lesson?
Semi-private lessons work best when both swimmers are at a similar skill level and age, since the instructor teaches to the pair rather than to two individuals. Many families pair siblings, cousins, or close friends. If a pairing isn’t a good match once lessons start, we may ask the swimmers to move to private or group lessons instead, and any remaining semi-private sessions are credited toward that switch. If you do not have a lesson partner in mind, call us at (512) 451-3425 or note it on the semi-private signup form and we can help you find a good match, or recommend a private lesson instead.
How many private swim lessons does a child typically need?
It depends on the swimmer and the goal. A free placement assessment is the most efficient way to get an accurate answer: after one session, the instructor can give you a realistic picture of where your child is and what to work toward. Book a free assessment online.
Can adults learn to swim with no experience?
Yes. Adult learners of all ages and starting points work with our instructors through private lessons. Book online by creating an account or logging in, or call (512) 451-3425 or email swim@tomsscuba.com if you have questions.
What is the minimum age for private swim lessons?
Private lessons are available from age 2. Children under 2 are enrolled in parent-and-child group classes only: see our Early Childhood lessons.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy for swim lessons?
All swim lesson purchases are non-refundable, and Tom’s Dive & Swim does not issue cash refunds. Private and semi-private lessons can be booked up to 30 days in advance. Once a lesson is booked, you can reschedule it through the app or customer portal up to 48 hours before the scheduled time at no charge. Lessons canceled within 48 hours of the scheduled time are subject to a $25 cancellation fee in addition to forfeiting the session fee (we encourage rescheduling instead, whenever possible), and lessons within 48 hours cannot be modified. Lessons that are missed without being canceled or rescheduled through the app or portal are subject to a $25 no-show fee in addition to forfeiting the session fee.
All cancellations must go through the app or customer portal: email, phone calls, and notices given directly to instructors are not accepted, though you’re always welcome to call the shop if you’re running late or need help logging in or resetting your portal password. Plan to arrive about 5 minutes early; to protect other students’ lesson time, we can’t start a lesson more than 15 minutes late, so arriving 15 or more minutes late also forfeits the lesson. If a participant is medically unable to continue in the program, a written statement from a licensed medical provider is required. Upon approval, the value of any eligible unused lessons will be issued as an account credit; no cash refunds will be issued. Private lesson packages can be purchased up to 3 months in advance. Lessons are scheduled based on instructor and pool availability, which does not guarantee a specific day, time, or instructor.
What should parents and guardians know before a lesson?
For safety and supervision, at least one parent or guardian (18 or older) must remain in the building for the entire lesson. Parents and guardians stay in the viewing area and are not permitted in the pool room during the lesson unless invited in by the instructor or management. Changing in and out of swimsuits is not allowed in the lobby, viewing area, or pool room: please use one of the bathrooms or changing rooms on deck. All absences, cancellations, transfers, and make-up tokens are managed through the customer portal; contact the shop if you need help logging in or resetting your password.
Does Tom’s take photos or videos during swim lessons?
We occasionally take photos and videos during lessons to celebrate swimmers’ progress and for internal use and promotional materials (flyers, social media, website, and parent updates). Photos and videos are taken only by authorized staff or approved photographers: personal photography by parents or guardians during lessons isn’t permitted unless specifically authorized for a designated event. We never publish images with identifying information like full names or contact details, favor group shots and activity shots over individual portraits, and photography is always conducted respectfully, without asking swimmers to pose or change their behavior.
Book online or call us to get scheduled.
Private and adult lessons: create an account or log in, online or through the Tom’s Swim app. Semi-private lessons: use the signup form below and we’ll work with you directly on pairing and scheduling. Located at 5909 Burnet Rd in Central Austin.
Still have questions? Email or call our team.