Seal Swim School

When I was searching the web looking for the number to Seal Swim School, this review came up during my search, with only 3 stars so I had to read what it said. I would like to add my 3.5 month old started lessons in October. I have nothing but great things to say about Seal Swim School. Their staff is energetic, happy, knowledgeable, and I believe they truly care about the children they are teaching. Did my son cry? Yes a little. Was he traumatized? Absolutely not. In fact he LOVES the water. He is starting his lessons back up this morning, and I am looking forward to having my son ENJOY the water, while learning safety. more

My three-year old learned to swim here last year. I'm very sensitive to my son and certainly don't want him to be frightened or cry too much in any way. He was very nervous about putting his face in the water. I explained this to the owner and she was able to set my son up for individual lessons twice per week for the first 4 weeks. Fortunately, we had a very experienced and caring instructor who comforted and coaxed my son when he was nervous and cried. She was awesome! By week two my son was swimming! He did not cry by the 4th lesson and became excited about going. Month two we switched to a class format which he also did well with. I can understand a parent's fear about insensitive instructors because I had a bad experience with a rude staff at Swim Kids who told my daughter that her crying was hurting their ears! I pulled her out that day and waited another yr before taking her for lessons. Seal Swim School has been great for us--just my personal experience. Just tell the office manager/owner your concern and ask for a sensitive teacher and individual lessons. more

I echo RSMomma's comments about this school and their unnecesarry ""tough love"" approach. Just read the ""foundationless accusations"" post by the owner! Does this sound like a nice person? Read the preaching and the put-downs--it is obvious they are know-it-alls here. This is exactly what I found and it sound s like others do it too. ""Safety at ALL costs"" is what they preach, and they are militant about that being their first priority. In their minds, asl long as your kid are drown-proofed it is fine if they are terrified and cry before, during and after their lessons. They'll get used to it and then be fine, they reason. I also was ""unsure"" and talked with them on the phone about signing up for lessons. It sounded wrong to me, but went to watch a lesson. There was a screaming crying child kept away from a distrought mother who wasn't allowed to be in or near her toddler. Heartbreaking. So no, I never did send my children there, but will probably be attacked by this angry defensive owner in the same way. I didn't follow ""safety is the first priority"" rule (shame on me, right!) I followed the ""I will get them lessons to be safe and from someone who will take the time to make it fun and a wonderful experience."" LaFleurs was the place for us! 100x better than this place. more

My son's pediatrician recommended Seal Swim School when I mentioned enrolling at the YMCA for swim lessons. The review left by rsmomma almost kept me from going to the school. I am very, very happy that my son is swimming at the school and that I chose to give them a chance.\r \r Did he cry? A little at first. When the instructor saw his unhappiness, she spent a good portion of the time playing with him (they have toys around the edge of the pool). He quickly came to enjoy his swim time and is progressing at a pace that make me very happy. \r \r I highly recommend the Seal Swim School. I am impressed with the instructors and the way that they teach. I can see his confidence in the water has increased and that he is being taught skills that could save his life. \r \r He already automatically swims to the edge of the pool when he jumps in and is now being taught to turn and float on his back when he needs to take a breath.\r \r Again, I cannot recommend the Seal Swim School enough. more

This is in response to rsmomma's review of Seal Swim School. It has come to my attention that you have been writing unsubstantiated reviews of our swim school's methodology; and I am perplexed at your ability to do so. It is my understanding that your family recently attended a birthday party at our facility and you were upset with the rules we have set in place for the safety of our non-swimming guest. At Seal Swim School, safety comes first above all else and it is unfortunate our rules did not agree with your own set of beliefs. However, I do not believe this warrants your unjustified comments concerning our teaching methods, since you have never attended our swim program and it is obvious you have decided NOT to teach your own children this invaluable life saving skill. It has been my life's work to to teach children to swim and to be safer in and around all bodies of water. Although Seal Swim School's reputation speaks for its self, there are many qualified swim programs, just please teach your children to swim! Pros: thousands of children have learned how to swim! Cons: too many children have NOT learned how to swim! more

Run, don't walk away from this swim torture school! Don't let the crowds fool you. There are lots of people in Florida who buy into this philosophy that ""all kids must cry to learn to swim...they'll get over it."" It is so weird that you are made to feel stupid for wanting swimming to be fun. If your child is fearful of the water, or not confident, or scared of teachers, this is NOT the place for swim lessons. When you talk to them on the phone they will admit you are NOt allowed near the pool and that your child will cry. Very very bad strategy and not one you would tolerate for one second in preschool or any other kind of lesson. No one should willingly use power to make your kids cry. This place has a structure and no exceptions are made if your kids needs a little more TLC. My friend also had a bad experience, her son cried for weeks, ""and they just didn't care,"" she said. She went to Lafleurs and is very pleased. Please don't do this to your kids at Seal. Pros: nice people, great facility Cons: philosophy is that crying is just fine more