I would like to sign my 9 month old daughter up for swimming "lessons" and I am looking for recommendations for a place to go. We live in Pleasanton - so somewhere in the general area. Also, my husband and I work full time and she is in day care during the week, so I am looking for a Saturday or Sunday class. I like to start her up as soon as possible.
I've heard that Fremont Swim School is great - I know there is one in Livermore and maybe one in Pleasanton too.
There is a swim lesson business in either Danville or San Ramon that works with children as young as your baby.
The American Swim Academy is in Dublin (I think it is a new location) They would be a good place if you want to just do swim lessons or get your child comfortable with the water. However, there is a place called All Star Academy of Danville - It is really located in Pleasanton right by Dublin Blvd. and Camino Tassajara. They do the ISR classes which are much more focused on safety than the swim lessons. I swear by these lessons if you are going to have your child around any type of water on a frequent basis. Their website is www.allstardanville.com
Fremont Swim School in Livermore and I believe there was a location that opened a year or two ago in Dublin (Sierra Court area, might be Swim America or something like that), both indoor pools, that are relatively shallow and always warm. My daughter learned to swim at Fremont Swim School in Livermore, and it was an enjoyable experience there.
Check out the American Swim Academy in Dublin. It is an indoor facility with a pool heated to 92 degrees. It is located on Sierra Court, which is across the street (Dublin Blvd.) from the Dublin Sports Grounds and Civic Center. We just started our 3 1/2 year old there last month. I suggest stopping by and checking it out for yourself. It is a very busy place. It is part of the Fremont Swim School franchise. I think they also have a facility in Livermore. Check the internet for their website, It could be under either name. If you visit, this Saturday is bad because they will be organizing a group of people for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Hope this info helps.
In Dublin, the sister-school to Fremont Swim School is called American Swim Academy. My daughter attended Fremont Swim School in Livermore as an infant, and I really enjoyed it. She developed a water-fear, however, in general (to do with baths, hairwashing, etc. too). So, I stopped going. We're back again (a little late... as my daughter is almost 4 now), but now she LOVES it. I think the teachers at Fremont (and I'm sure ASA) are very attentive and know how to make swimming fun. The only catch is having a child that is just as receptive. In retrospect, keeping my daughter in the class may have helped combat her other fears. Good luck.
See: http://www.americanswimacademy.com/
By the way, they offer a free trial class. So, it's worth checking out.
American Swim Academy in Dublin. It is the one that these other posts ar referring to. I took my son ther when he was bout 18 months and did the classes where you get in the water with them. Ther were many babies your daughters age as well. We have a pool and I wanted to make sure that my son learned water safety. The class sizes are no more then 6 kids, the pools are heated and indoors and the teachers are excellent! My son loved it and learned how to hold his breath, not be afraid of the water and how to turn and grab the side of the pool if he fell in. It wa sort of pricey - about $480 for 13-14 lessons I think. But my son loved it and was previously terrified of the water. Oh and we took lesson Sunday mornings.
Good luck!
Just like all the others. American swim academy in Dublin. My daughter will be 9 months on the 18th and we are currently enrolled. She loves it. She is able to hold her breath for 3 secs and knows how to kick her feet to come up. It is pricey, but worth it. I think it breaks down to $17 a class and once you are enrolled, you don't get your money back if you want out early. If you are interested, you should look into right away. Registrtion for the next session has already started and they fill up quickly. I think the new session begins on the 23rd of this month.
