I would like to start swimming lessons for my two year old son. I live in Boynton Beach. I am willing to drive anywhere in Palm Beach County. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I took my daughter to The Swim Academy in Boynton - they did a great job with her. You can contact one of the owners Marcella at ###-###-####. You can tell her E. (Sarah's mom) referred you. Good luck!
You can probably find through the red cross
Hi H...I bring my daughter Star to the British Swim School in Wellington. I really love it there, and I am SO impressed with how much we do every class. It is a mommy and me class. My daughter loves it, and in just a few lessons was able to almost float on her back by herself, and she understands to take a big deep breath before going under. They teach survival skills..but make it really fun. I don't have their # off-hand..but just check on-line. They have other locations..but I am not sure where. The Wellington location is on the east end of Wellington...and on the south end as well..so not bad for you. Good luck!
A. :)
Your local community center should have swimming lessons. The Wellington Community center (where we live) offers swim classes for a very good price to residents and I believe non residents pay $5 extra or maybe a little more BUT your local community center I'm sure offers the same type of classes.
I was told to go to the YMCA, I have heard great things. I am going soon my son is 18months old. I am an Xray tech at West Boca. Where do you work? www.DiscoveryToysLink.com/LisaRyan
LisaM
I live in Boynton as well. The city just opened a brand new pool at Wilson Park, its not in the "best" of neighborhoods, but the pool is really nice. Not very many people know about it yet so not very many people are swimming. We went last week and were the only three there. The life guards are super nice. As soon as the funfare magazine comes out they will have the lesson schedule. Check out the city's website for updates.
The YMCA has gotten what I consider to be a better program than they had (previous to last year, at least the South County Facility in Boca would not allow full immersion in their Mommy-and-Me classes) and their current classes are probably the best value for the money. You may want to try the Boynton Facility and see what you think.
The British Swim School and Infant Swim Resource both have Instructors up your way that teach "Survival Swimming" (The Y in Boca also offers this class, so it may be available at yours as well.) This is a fast-track program to teach your child to float on their back if they fall into the water or get in trouble. I prefer a slower approach that gets them working towards proper strokes, but I'm a former racer and lifeguard myself, love to surf and want both of my boys to be surf-safe, rather than pool safe, so went the LifeStyle route (http://www.babyswimming.com/). It's nice having people who have seen and done it all so close by. Their classes are just about to start. They're more expensive than the "Y", but both of my boys loved the program. Our 4-year old can now swim strokes and wants to do the FAU diving camp this summer (he got to use the high-dive at FAU a number of times last year in LefeStyle's Advanced Class and is hopelessly addicted now) and our 2 year old, though not what I'd consider pool-safe, is comfortable in the water and can get to the wall and go hand-over-hand to the steps or a ladder if he falls in, so can be allowed to "play" in the pool, even if he *does* need constant supervision.
The important thing is that both you and your child are comfortable with wherever you choose and their schedule, so that you actually do go, and enjoy yourselves while you are there. The exposure and ability to be in the water without panic are primary at the beginning. At least with my boys, I'm finding that real progress doesn't kick in until peer pressure comes along. Once your child is playing in the pool regularly with friends, or has some real goal to strive for (with Mattie, it was the Meadow's Park Pool's requirement that the kids be able to swim an olympic lap without touching the bottom or sides before they were allowed to use the diving board) it just takes a little guidance and great strides are made almost effortlessly.
Have Fun! (& hit up the toddler-friendly water parks, like South County Regional whenever you get the chance!)
-Scott (S.'s Hubby)
I did lessons for my now 5 year old for 2 summers w/ Sharks and Minnows. I was happy w/their group lessons. I believe they offer classes in Boynton Beach. Here is a link to their website:
http://www.sharksandminnows.com/content/default.asp
