Swimming Stages Swim Academy

Don’t take your children here. The so called instructors do not pay attention to your little ones because they are too busy goofing off with each other. It is an unsafe environment

Very disorganized. While my son was attending, the classes were overcrowded, as she (Susie the owner) was selling more Groupons than she had time and space. On average, there were 8 – 10 students per class. You do the math. Your kid is only getting about 6 – 8 minutes of actual hands-​on instruction but you are paying for 30 minutes. I was asked to change the day/​time of my son’s lesson twice because she had overbooked the classes with new people!
The swim instructors fluctuated from week to week so kids were not able to build a relationship with the instructor. At times the instructors were very impatient with the children. They place a floating platform in the shallow end (I’m guessing 3 ft) that is made of PVC pipe. The kids all stand on that platform while the 2 instructors each work with one kid in intervals, eventually getting to all 8 – 10 kids in the class for the 30 minute session. Twice during the 3 months my son attended, the platform almost fell off the shallow end into the deep end with the kids on it. Remember– they do not have life vests on and there are 8 – 10 kids to 2 instructors. That is a disaster waiting to happen! The observant parents were the ones to say something to the instructors.
Also, there was one incident where my son was being trained along with the other kids by their 2 instructors in the shallow end and Susie (the owner) was giving a private lesson in the deep end. She turned her back away from the kid and started zoning off and I had to get her attention because the kid was drowning. I almost jumped in after him! He was so scared it shook him up and brought him to tears. The scary thing is this lady does summer camps where you just drop your kid off. Yeah right!
Take it from me, I gave them ample opportunity but after my experience, I will never return and will never recommend them to anyone. Try FINS or YMCA or find a private instructor like I did. You may pay $ 50 more but you want your child to learn from the best since it could mean saving your child’s life, so choose carefully!

I’m currently middle of the line on this place, 2 ½ stars. My son has a heart condition, was preemie sized (and has trouble maintaining his body temperature), and is two years developmentally delayed. For these reasons we signed up for 4 private lessons in the weekday evenings to try things out. I wasn’t sure if he could handle a group setting.
My initial reaction was that we were out of there, and not going back. The facilities were a surprise and could definitely use some attention/​repairs/​updating. The owner/​instructor assured me the pool was heated. During the first lesson she spent most of her time getting acquainted with my son and splasing around in the water with her. There was one other instructor in the pool with 1 – 2 children, and a friend or employee of theirs was present in which they carried on a conversation during the lesson. While I wasn’t thrilled with this, I did like the way she interacted and worked with my son. I ended the session a little early because he was shivering. I asked if she had other heaters that could be provided as he could not remain in those conditions for medical reasons.
For the second session, she informed me that she had increased the pool temperature and the additional heaters were available… one in the pool area and another in the bathroom. My son was in a horrible mood that day, however, and didn’t do much beyond crying/​complaining. He was warmer though and I dressed him near the heaters.
The third session was the first time that I really began to reconsider my opinion of the place. There were more children in and around the pool for make-​up lessons, sick instructors, or overbooking. I have only ever experienced two instructors there at one time. Even though we paid for private lessons it really became a small group session with 1 – 3 children. This was the first time my son began to follow any instructions from her and actually participated.
The fourth session is where I really decided to give them additional business. Again, it became a group session for unknown reasons. There was one other child present for his instruction time. He did great though. Both children splashed and played while she worked with the other. My son did almost launch himself into the deep end, and while I was halfway into the pool to get him, she and the other instructor were already grabbing him. During this class my son demonstrated going under water by himself, and he would kick/​swim under water for about 1 and ½ of his body length. Definite progress for four 30 minute lessons, in which two of the classes he didn’t really participate.
I will continue lessons here for the time being, and will also sign my daughter up. I have had occassional difficulty getting a hold of them, however they are the only swim instruction business that has actually called me back. The location is difficult for me to reach in a timely manner during the weeknights, so we’re considering a schedule change. The size of the class and scheduling are definite factors, so that could affect or change my opinion as well.

I got a Groupon for swim lessons here and decided to take my daughter there so she could learn to swim. First off, the place is way back in a neighborhood and in a free standing metal building. There is no way for sun to heat the pool and no heater either. My little girl always complained about the water being too cold there. The pool takes up almost the entire building with little room around and at end of pool for parents to sit while watching lesson. The teachers themselves do a good job of instructing the kids, but the facilities are really a let down. Locker room and bathroom are really outdated and need updating. Spend your money elsewhere and avoid this place.