“Swimming” is easily my kids’ favorite summer activity. I say “swimming” in parenthesis because I’m not sure you can actually call it swimming. We don’t have a pool, but my parents do. We’ll pack up, head over to their house, and the girls will float around in the water while all of the adults watch them like hawks because they don’t know how to swim.
I have always told myself I wanted to do swim lessons, but honestly, all of the options were overwhelming to me. Plus, I justified my decision to wait on the fact that there were always SO many adults around, they’d be fine! Right? Wrong.
Fast forward to the end of this summer. We were all over at my parents’ house for the usual Family Sunday Dinner when my Dad comes running into the house saying, “I just turned my back for one second! It was just one second!” Immediately I completely lost my ‘ish and was terrified something tragic had happened. VERY luckily, it was no big deal. My dad was outside with my (almost) 3-year-old, Olivia. He turned around to flip the steaks on the grill, and when he turned back, she was on the second step in the pool with the water up to her armpits.
She was totally fine. My dad was completely freaked out. Really, we all were completely freaked out because it could have been something so much worse. That was the day I decided it was time to get serious about swim lessons. That was also the day I noticed a new swimming school sign going up right next to our house…
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages four months to 12 years. We use our holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment.
When I told the girls we were going to have swim lessons, they were thrilled. When we showed up at the school, the excitement couldn’t be contained. We signed both girls up for lessons on a Friday afternoon, and the countdown began!
I cannot say enough amazing things about this facility. It’s new, clean, bright, and so so so fun.
Seriously, I can’t get enough of this space. The pool is heated to 90° year-round, so it won’t ever be too cold. The viewing area is air conditioned so I was super comfortable the entire time I was there. They have an in-house “Snack Shack” and a Pro Shop to grab a treat or pick up a swimming item you may need…it has everything! They even have hair drying stations, swimsuit dryers, and private changing rooms. There’s also a party space which could make for a fantastic birthday party.
About the Swim Classes
The swim instruction is year-round, which was important to me when picking a swim school. I’ve always heard that just doing lessons over the summer isn’t enough and that kids will lose what they have learned if they don’t continue to swim. Goldfish also has small class sizes (max 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio for group classes and a max 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio in baby classes).
Goldfish Swim School was created by parents, for parents, with this goal in mind — to give kids the platform to build essential life skills that will help them make waves in life. We’ve created an inviting and safe place where kids overcome their fears, learn to swim, respect the water, and have lots of fun while doing it. Our award-winning tropical environment and shiver-free pools are simply the fun backdrop for where kids do some serious growing and learning. So while we’re focused on the serious stuff, your family will be focused on the fun. It’s what we call The Science of SwimPlay®.
We were able to have both girl’s first class as a one-on-one experience, and they LOVED it. Every day since our first class, my (almost) four-year-old has told me that she misses her swim teacher and wants to go back to the “fish place.” I am so excited about how much fun they had, that we will definitely become members and continue our lessons all throughout the year!
Goldfish has different levels of membership that fit all types of budgets…and they have a very cool charter membership option right now (since the school is just now opening!) that has some pretty cool perks… like a free private party! New members in Collin County, the membership fee will be waived ($25 value), when you mention this post (offer expires 12/31/18).
Learn more about Goldfish Swim School online:
FACEBOOK :: TWITTER :: INSTAGRAM
