Goldfish Swim School: Lessons and Fun

*We received lessons and a pool party in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Goldfish Swim School

Swimming is such an important skill. Not only is it a safety tool, but it is a great way for kids to have fun and get exercise at the same time. When I heard about Goldfish Swim School opening in our area, I was really excited to check it out.

All three of my boys have had swim lessons once before. We took an outdoor class through our Park and Recreation department a couple of summers ago. The boys had a lot of fun, and got introduced to the water, but didn’t really learn how to swim.

This time around, since they are a little older, and it would be a totally different environment, I was hoping for a different outcome. So far, Goldfish Swim School has exceeded my expectations.

What is Goldfish Swim School?

Goldfish Swim School was founded in Michigan by Jenny and Chris McCuiston in 2006.  What started as one family owned and run business has turned into over 80 schools open, or in development, in more than 23 states and Canada.

They teach more than 70,000 students every week!

That’s pretty amazing!

What’s also amazing is their mission and passion.

From their site, Goldfish Swim School is:

Not just a passion for kids or a passion for swimming…it’s a special passion for changing – even saving – lives by teaching kids to swim.

A passion born in the heart of a mom – driven by her love for children, swimming and a desire to deliver an unmatched “Golden Experience” for kids and their families.

So, what does that experience look like? Let me tell you about my family’s experience at the School.

What to Expect Before your First Lesson

Registration was super easy. Since they offer continuous lessons throughout the year, there’s no need to wait for session to open up on a certain date. Their schedule stays consistent, so you can plan ahead.

I simply called the school, and found a time that worked. You can also register in person, and can pre-register right on their website.

They were able to put all three boys in lessons at the same time. As any mom of multiple kids know, this was awesome.

They also explained that if anyone was ever sick, they can make up the lesson on another day at our convenience. We would just need to call ahead of time, and then you can schedule up to one week in advance.

Since lessons are continuous, you need to give 30 days advanced notice when you want to discontinue lessons.

We also were told to arrive 15 minutes before lesson time for a tour and to fill out a registration form.

When You Arrive

The boys were pretty excited when we arrived for our first lesson. They all screamed when they saw the giant goldfish on the outside of the building.

They also enjoyed the entryway, as you can see.

We were then transported into a tropical destination as soon as we opened the doors. It was warm, welcoming, and bright. We could see the huge pool through the giant glass windows, with a beautiful fish mural covering the wall.

After a quick check-in, I finished up our registration, and they assigned us our swim lane for lessons. We were then ready for a tour.

I really loved the individual changing areas, the private bathrooms, hair drying station, and watching area.

Of course, my boys spotted all the fun stuff. There was a train table, chalk board, fish tank, and coloring area. They were sold.

Good thing we got there early so they could play!

The Actual Lesson

After taking a potty break and changing into swim suits, the boys had a seat and waited to be called.

One of the lifeguards came out and announced it was time for lessons. He had a pretty commanding voice, so it got the boys excited.

Since none of the boys know how to swim, they were all in the same lesson. They have a maximum of 4 students per teacher, so the boys had the lesson and lane all to themselves. Did I mention that the pool is heated to 90 degrees?!

Finally, no complaints about the water and being cold.

They actually had 2 instructors working with the boys, and I was able to watch the entire lesson from the waiting area. They provided goggles, used barbells to help with kicking, and had a stand in the middle that they could swim too. The entire pool is under 5 feet deep.

When there was 5 minutes left, the lifeguard came out and asked me to join them.

I learned how they did, what they learned, and what they would continue to work on. All three boys were very comfortable with the water, but the twins are still getting used to getting their faces in the water. Mr. B did a great job, and even was floating on his own.

One of the first things they teach is floating on your back. This is such an important safety tool, and I am so happy they told me why they do it. Now, if any of the boys ever falls in the water, they will know to turn on their back and float until someone can help them.

After the Lesson

After talking with their instructor, I took the boys over to the shower area. They had some baby shampoo, so I rinsed them and shampooed their hair. Pretty great to get an extra shower in during the week! If you’re a boymom, you would totally understand.

Ok. Any mom.

Then, the hardest part of the whole thing…getting them dressed and in the car. Seriously, that’s the hardest part.

All the way home, they kept asking when we could go back.

Since that first lesson, we’ve had 2 more, and they’ve been awesome.

All three boys are making great progress, getting more comfortable in the water, and can all float on their backs without assistance.

If they served drinks with umbrellas in the waiting area, it’d be paradise.

Family and Birthday Parties

In addition to our swim lessons, we also had a family event with the Waukesha Mothers of Twins Club.

We got the entire pool all to ourselves for 2 hours. Goldfish Swim School provides enough life guards and life jackets for everyone.

I think they had fun?

Um, yeah. Lots!

Everyone loved how warm the water was, loved the floating goldfish, and they were so happy they were able to stand in different areas of the pool. It would be super fun for a birthday party or any group outing.

Upcoming Events and Offers from Goldfish Swim School

If you’re in the Brookfield/Waukesha/Milwaukee area, there are tons of opportunities to try out Goldfish Swim School for yourself.