Seal Swim School357

Philosophy: Crying kids, but it's OK as long as they are "safe"

Run, don't walk away from this swim torture school! Don't let the crowds fool you. Lots of people really love this place. But not all.

Florida swim schools have this philosophy that "kids can cry to learn to swim...they'll get over it." "Safety is our number one priority" It is weird that parents are made to feel stupid for wanting swimming to be fun. Can you imagine froced toilet training at any cost?

Of course, you want safety, but if you are a good parent you know you do NOT need to have your children terrfied and kept away from you. You don't want a person forcing them to swim against their will. Ignoring their tears and fright because "safety is so important."

If your child is fearful of the water, or not confident, or scared of teachers, this is NOT the place for swim lessons. Many kids do just fine there and some people love it. When you talk to SEAL on the phone they will admit you are NOT allowed near the pool and that your child will cry. And they won't stop the lesson but will force them.

Very very bad strategy and not one you would tolerate for one second in preschool or any other kind of lesson. No one should use power to make your kids cry. This place has a rigid 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 finally went to Lafleurs on Anderson and is very pleased with their tiny pool, bridges and underwater platforms, and "no tears" approach.

Yes, I did NOT take lessons there. Because I had called a lot of schools because of this exact same attitude and prior lessons and it had made my children scared and distrustful of the water (NOT SAFE). I made 2 calls to Seal and got the same scary answer. I attended a b'day party weeks later and my kids cannot swim. The kids were made to swim acroos the pool during the party. They woudln't let the parent in to help them and they WOULD NOT assign a staffer to help them or allow them to use a kick board. Seriously? How is that safe? We left. Yes, I did find a good match for them finally and they swim great.

And yes, the owner will probably post a message against me claiming these are "unsubstantiated" remarks. They aren't. Why would I bother?

This place is nothing but a factory. No one knows who your are. No one cares. I had a family emergency and tried to contact the facility multiple times with no response. I attempted to cancel my membership, and they said no, that they would charge me an additional month. I was able to teach my daughter more than what she learned in 5 weeks of swim lessons in two days in my neighbors pool. They are all about the bottom dollar. Do not invest in this facility. You will be extremely disappointed. Feel free to contact me for any questions. christenbaldwin2@yahoo.com

I started my child at Seal Swim School when she was 3 years old. My daughter never liked the water. She would cry while I was washing her hair in the bath tub. I really was worried about putting her in swimming lessons but a lot of my neighbors have pools in their back yards. To say the least, my daughter cried during her first lessons, and begged not to go to swim class for her second lesson. I have to say that the teacher at Seal Swim School was wonderful with my daughter. Her teacher was very positive with me and my child. I also would like to mention that the office staff was their for me as well. I was a wreck. It is never fun to see your baby uspet. My daughter is 4 years old now and swims like a fish and more importantly she enjoys being in the water. I continue to bring my child to Seal Swim School and all of her teachers continue to be wonderful. I highly recommend this swim program and its staff!

Unfortunately, I have experienced a variety of swim schools throughout Tampa Bay and I had not found the right fit for my child until I enrolled at Seal Swim School in Lutz. They are very customer friendly and the facility is great. I love not having my classes canceled on account of rain. The staff is cheerful, fun and wonderful at teaching swimming! Take the time and check out their facility, you won't want to go anywhere else.

Both of my children attend this swim school and have done since they were 6 months old, at no time has anyone MADE my children cry. Parents are involved in the Parent and Tot classes unless your child is too old for those then they are in other classes or private lessons. I totally disagree with your comment on their business strategy, they want children to learn to first of all be able to get themselves out of trouble should they fall in a pool! then learn to master the art of swimming. I think that maybe you did not encourage your children to swim early enough and that they are now scared. If your children are that sensitive - maybe they need to toughen up. This school is the best I know and I would have not hesitation in recommending anyone to go there.

I have a 4, 3 and 1 year old. They have all 3 been swimming since they were 6 months. My 4 year old can already cross the entire pool and 6 months ago the 3 year old feel into a pool without me noticing him falling in and got himself to the wall. I teel you, they are a great bunch of caring people. Have never experienced them being harshed. Yes, all my 3 kids at some point or another have cried (kids not always have a great day)they have always figured out a way to calmed them. Crying won't kill my kids, but not knowing how to swim will. I know that they can swim and I thank the school for it. All my 3 kids have needed different ways to get around learning how to swim and they have been very accomodating. Good family environment ! My kids love going to swim school. It is part of our lives.

Horrible experience...don't go unless your kids can swim! This school beleives in letting/making kids cry and using harsh/aggressive teaching tactics. Parents are not allowed near the pool (a first warning sign). While "most" kids give in/up eventually, if your child is sensitive they will be in the minority and be traumitized as my kids were. I would stay away from an "institutionized" place like this where there business strategy is "one size fits all" with no exceptions.