Water safety is so important, which is why we started swimming lessons with Gradie at 9 months old. Our first program was through community education, followed by 3 or 4 sessions at the local Y.
Recently we were lucky enough to have Goldfish Swim School open near us, in Oakdale, MN. We were asked if we’d like to test them out and share the experience with my readers and it’d been a while since our last session so we were happy to check it out.
Now that we have attended lessons for almost 2 months we are excited to say that with every new lesson it is like we find another reason to love Goldfish. Gradie has progressed more in the past few weeks than she did in any of her other lessons thus far and we are thrilled.
There are many reasons why Goldfish Swim School is not like the swim lessons you’ve become accustomed to and I am happy to tell you all about it.
90 degree pool – all year round. Nothing worse then getting into a cold pool, especially when you’re 2 or 3, or younger and trying to learn how to swim. Gradie’s lessons at 9 month old were in an unheated pool and they were brutal on her and I. I’ve been in the water with Gradie at open swim (see more information about that below) and the water is absolutely wonderful and neither Gradie or I want to get out because it feels so great.
Swim lessons to meet your child’s needs – lessons are offered in 5 different groups.
- Mini 1-4 for kids aged 4 – 35 months,
- Junior 1-3 for kids aged 3 – 4 years,
- Glider 1-3 for kids aged 4 – 12 years,
- Pro 1&2 for kids aged 4 – 12 years, and
- Swim Force (swim team) for kids aged 5 – 12 years.
Each level has requirements and certain things the kids have to be able to do before moving onto the next level. Be sure to check out further specifics regarding the levels and requirements for each level on their website.
Perpetual lessons to meet your families schedules – Goldfish Swim School doesn’t lock you into one time each week for a predetermined session, you are able to set a time for your lessons, and when your schedule changes you can easily change the day and time of your lessons to suit your needs. Plus you’ll pay for lessons on a month-by-month basis and you are able to schedule to take a break when needed.
Lessons continue, they’re not over after 6 or 8 weeks when you have to sign up for another session, no breaks in lessons is definitely helping keep Gradie interested and she’s really progressing.
Facilities – private restrooms with showers, multiple private dressing rooms to use for before and after lessons, a hair drier station with 6 to 8 driers for you/your kids to use, showers to use once you get out of the pool to rinse the pool water off, plus they keep soap/shampoo available for your kids to use as needed.
Open Swim – while we are a working parent family and can’t attend the daytime sessions during the week, which are held Tuesday through Thursday at 12-1:30pm, we love to visit during Friday (6:30-8pm) and Saturday (12-1pm) open swim times. You get all the fun of swimming with your kids, along with all the facilities offered at Goldfish and their are life guards on duty, just in case.
Events & Swim Parties – We got to attend the Princess & Princes Family Night Out event on September 15th. For $5 each you get pizza for yourself and your child, lemonade, and for this family fun night there was an appearance by Princess Moana, who hung out with the kids and did a story time session. Such a fun event, along with 1.5 hours of open swimming with your kids. We love these events, a perfect way to spend time together as a family, and work on your kids swimming too.
These are some of the reasons our family loves Goldfish Swim School and we’re sure you’ll love it too. I encourage you to head over to Goldfish’s website to get more specifics on getting your child signed up. You can also inquire about a free trial lesson and be sure to tell them that you were sent by Africa’s Blog, sign up now with their fall promotion and get FOUR FREE LESSONS!!
To stay up to date on all their local events and promotions be sure to follow the Goldfish Swim School Oakdale Facebook page. Also follow via Twitter and Instagram.
It sounds like fun, and they take teaching seriously. The facilities look great too. Looks like a+!
What a great facility! Both my kids need swimming lessons.
Hi Kristie! Give us a buzz and 651-236-9390 and we’ll be happy to get you all set up.
Swimming was one of the first things I made sure my kids learned!! I had a childhood friend that drowned. They lived in the house behind ours. So for years when I looked at their house, I thought of my friend! My second child was scared of water. I was more determined then ever for them to learn. I wanted them to enjoy their life so when they went on vacations that included beaches, etc. We were not going to be around for ever to protect them! Learning to swim was a necessity! Not a luxury to me! Good helpful article!
It looks like a really nice swim school and your daughter is adorable! I am a HUGE believer in taking your children to swim classes from a young age. I didn’t do that and grew up not knowing how to swim well and regretted that so made sure my son knew how to swim well!
We started both out boys around 6 years old. We lived on the Missouri river and since I don’t swim well, I knew they needed to learn how to swim great. Wow Goldfish Swim School looks so fun with the bright colors and fun things there. I love they provide a 90 degree pool! Our grandkids are learning to swim in Alaska and they come out of the lessons shivering!!
This looks fabulous. I think they need more of these around the US. I can’t swim and I made sure I enrolled my daughter in a class provided by a local person. I wanted her to get her kids classes early too. One down, one to go.