Tip for Swimming Instructor?

I wouldn't think it to be customary to tip a swim instructor. Just my opinion, but they're getting paid for their job, and I don't think they'd be expecting a tip.

My friend & I were just wondering about this! We ended up tipping our kids' instructer ($10/child), but she really tried to refuse. We ended up forcing it upon her. These were semi-private lessons (3 kids) for ages 3-5. She seemed to go above & beyond with them, so we felt she deserved "extra". Also, we may never see her again. (Off to her freshman year at college.) I think when you feel someone has done "extra", they should get something "extra" -- be it a tip ($$), gift, homemade something, etc.

In your case, I would not tip. Not the same instructor each time, you'll be going back -- doesn't seem like a tipping situation.

I've never heard of tipping anyone who gives your child lessons in anything. My feeling is, you pay plenty for the lessons themselves, I dont see the need to tip on top of that.

M.,
I agree with all the other ladies. While it's a nice gesture to tip it's not neccessary. I was a swim instructor for a while and never got tipped and it never crossed my mind. Some parents did give us little gift which was nice but again, not expected. I think the gift card or Thank You note and baked goods is a good idea if you feel it merrited. I hope this helps. Good luck!

I tipped ten dollars in Dunkin Donuts cards per kid, per session, which are ten lessons in two weeks. So, by the end of the summer, I tipped $60 for my two kids for all three sessions. My kids were in seperate classes. It did pay off, because when a session was full, my kids did get in. They also bent over backwards anytime we were there with more attention, so it was like more lessons. They were great to my kids, and I wanted to thank them for it. When I wonder if I should tip someone, I tend to. It hasn't ever bitten me in the tush. I wouldn't if it would be a hardship, or if I wasn't happy. Sometimes, I tip at the gym daycare, but then other days, I don't. Depends on how they did,if they spent time with my son, or if they sat on the couch talking to the other sitter, letting the big kids run all over, and not involved.
Trust your instinct.
Good luck,
D.

Hi M.,

I have had my boys in swim classes and I have never tipped the instructor. I paid a set fee for the lessons. I actually taught swim lessons when I was in college and was never tipped. Although it is a nice gesture, I do not think it is necessary. Also because if the teacher only taught 5 out the 8 classes what about the other teacher of the 3 classes? It may never end...
Good luck,
S.

We tip like Dianne, with D&D cards. It shows you value and appreciate the service you received. I usually give it to the instructor and say, "Thank you so much, please have a latte on me". It's not as awkward as cash, no one has EVER refused it and saying "thank you" is always appropriate.
Kim, you may want to reconsider your tipping philosophy. The people who are teaching your children swimming, tennis, karate, piano, and such aren't getting rich and famous doing it. They should be tipped just like waiters, bell hops, and camp counselors.
Julie C, perhaps "tipping" isn't the right word to use for school teachers and daycare providers but thanking them periodically is certainly appreciated. The most common gifts in our area are gift cards to Barnes & Noble (they give teacher discounts), local restaurants and American Express gift cards. Lots of room parents collect $20 - $30 per child per year and purchase these types of gifts from the whole class 2 or 3 times a year (holidays, teacher appreciation in the spring and end of the year). The whole class participates, the kids all sign a big card and the teachers aren't deluged with more mugs/snow-globes/baked goods that end up in the teachers lounge.

We didnt tip my sons swim teacher either,we will be going back in the fall,I dont think its nesasary to tip.Maybe a little thank you note,if you want,but I feel we pay enough for the lessons. And you wouldnt tip a school teacher or day care,so I vote no tip!!Hope this helps!!

I don't think you should tip a swimming instructor, especially for such a short session. I think a sincere thank you is enough.

Perhaps at the end of all the eight-week sessions, if it's the same instructor for all the sessions and you truly think he/she was great, a gift card or something is appropriate. But not between each eight-week session.

I would say anonymously call the gym and inquire. they may not even be allowed to accept gratuity. Happy Swimming!

I was never tipped as a swimming instructor. I taught for many many years.

I did work at a summer camp once where *some* parents tipped the counselors, but it was an expensive camp (i.e., the parents had lots of money) and the kids were there for at least a month. At a lower costing camp, I did not get tips.

M.,

I taught swimming lessons for many years in a community center setting and never received tips. I don't think it's neccessary, although it was sweet to get cards/small tokens at holidays/valentine's day etc. If you really want to show the instructor how much you appreciated his/her work, a thank you note would be great! :)

I agree, I too taught swim lessons and never even thought of being tipped. I would have felt bad if someone even tried to tip. If you feel you need to give the instructor something have your daughter scribble out a thank you note, you can translate her scribbles into "Thank you! I Love Swimming Class!" and bake some cookies or
rice crispy treats, everyone loves goodies!
L.

My children are in many activities - dance, gymnastics, softball, Skating - all of these activities are many months long. At the end of the session I give the teacher/coach a little gift just as a would school teacher. A small token of appreciation - usually a GC. My children have also taken swim lessons for 8 week increments. In those situations I did not feel it necessary to give the instructor a gift/tip. If this instructor continues with your daughter for multiple sessions and you feel like you would like to give her a thank you for her kindness, hard work.... I think that would be a nice gestures. But in my opinion tipping is not necessary for 5 swim lessons.

If it helps, I was a swimming instructor for 10 years. I received a tip once, for a private lesson with a kid who was scared to death of the water. I taught mostly through a high school that offered a public swim lessons program and at an Air Force Base.

Danielle