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December 9, 2008 at 3:29 pm #588948
OlMomParticipantAre there any parents out there that have an opinion on where is the best place to take a child for lessons to learn to swim?
December 9, 2008 at 3:39 pm #649422
addParticipantWe had a great experience at Arbor Heights Swim & Tennis Club. Non-members can sign up for lessons if there is space available after the membership registration date. You can check their website for more info. I have also heard really good reviews about Southwest Pool (on Thistle St, east of 35th). We are members of the Y and did swimming lessons several years ago – it was adequate but not great – usually pretty full classes and when we tried private lessons the scheduling was a problem.
December 9, 2008 at 4:13 pm #649423
jbarMemberSafe n Sound Swimming. It’s on Westlake in the basement of the China Harbor restaurant. Yea, that sounds weird, and it’s a haul, but it’s the best lessons in town. 15 minute private lessons, and way more than you would ever get in a 30 minute group scenario. My kids are great swimmers, and I know it’s because they have the sns foundation. Everything they teach is about safety and proper technique.
December 9, 2008 at 4:44 pm #649424
WSBKeymasterCheck with the YMCA (WSB sponsor) which, not everyone knows, has a pool at its Junction location.
http://www.westseattleymca.org
Our son learned to swim (taking lessons off and on from age 4 through third grade) at Southwest Pool, the only indoor city-run pool in West Seattle, which offers group and private lessons (and just reopened last month after several months of infrastructure improvement, including new water-treatment and air-circulation systems) — tons of info can be found jumping off its home page:
December 9, 2008 at 9:13 pm #649425
addParticipantI also agree with jbar about Safe & Sound – excellent program and instructors.
December 10, 2008 at 2:38 am #649426
ellenaterMemberhow warm is Southwest pool? The YMCA pool temp. is only tolerable because I can get out and run to the hot tub!
December 10, 2008 at 5:30 am #649427
ejonesMemberThe Y is pretty warm for a pool, southwest is a little cooler (at least it was when i had swim meets there). Guess you’ll just have to swim harder. :p
I know a lot of kids who take lessons at the Y and southwest, and i’ve heard a lot of good things about both.
December 10, 2008 at 7:27 am #649428
WSBKeymasterSouthwest also has a hot tub – costs something like 50 cents extra to use. Very close to pool’s edge :) It should be open again by now – its opening was lagging the early November pool reopening a bit because of some final touches.
December 10, 2008 at 4:33 pm #649429
ellenaterMemberOK, thanks. I can deal with it if there is a hot tub. ejones, I will deal with your “just swim harder” comment at knitting on Thursday.
December 10, 2008 at 7:58 pm #649430
CMPParticipantSouthwest is now 86 degrees which is way too hot for competitive swimming but perfect for lessons. The new boiler and pool covers seem to be working too well! I’m a fan of Seattle Parks and Rec, only b/c every time I’m at the pools during lesson time, the kids seem to be having fun, even at Colman on a cold summer day. The instructors seem knowledgeable about the fundamentals which is the most important thing. If your kids enjoy it and want to try a team, check out USA Swimming for local clubs. I also saw an ad on Craiglist for private lessons from a former swimmer. While a bit spendy, it’s a good investment for children to get them comfortable in the water.
December 10, 2008 at 8:00 pm #649431
berthaParticipantMy kids have taken swim lessons at both the WS YMCA and Southwest Pool. Southwest Pool is the best hands down! All kids are tested at the first lesson and then grouped by ability rather than age. The teachers are fabulous with kids and the manager searches out kid-friendly teachers. The staff has amazing patience with the kids and I have seen the Director work individually with kids who are afraid of the water (these kids were enrolled in regular classes not private). I highly recommend them.
June 1, 2009 at 6:44 pm #649432
carrieannMember::bump::
Was just about to post a question on this topic when I found this old thread. Figured I’d bump it back to the foreground, since we’re getting to that time of year when I’m sure others are going to be seeking the same. If anyone has anything new to add, please do. Looking for lessons for my 5-year-old and 2-year-old, both who have only spent a short amount of time in the water while being held by mom or dad.
June 2, 2009 at 2:06 pm #649433
loho2000MemberI have sent my son to the Y and Southwest. The Y was ok and SW is a good program if take part in the private to semi-private classes. The class sizes are just so big that most of the time the kids just hang on the wall.
June 2, 2009 at 3:48 pm #649434
QueMemberI have been sending my kid to SW for lessons for a long time and she loves them and has learned a ton from the experience! They do keep the ratios very low (ususally I see about 4:1) for the under 5 classes. Even in the Beginning Youth class (which runs from ages 6-16) she rarely has more than a 6:1 ratio without the teacher having an assistant. I think that is pretty good.
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