Swim Lessons - Recommendations? (Reston, Springfield: neighborhood, YMCA, school)

[NoVA_Lurker]

We are thinking about starting our toddler in swim lessons sometime soon. Do any of you have recommendations for a good place to do this…or comments on places to avoid? We’re in the Reston/Herndon area, so Reston, Herndon, Sterling, or anywhere within maybe 20-30 minutes max would be considered.

These are the places I found at a quick search:

--SwimKids (Leesburg)
--Spring Hill RECenter
--Oak Marr RECenter
--Reston Association pools (looks like Newbridge and Lake Audubon would have the only times that fit)
--Reston YMCA
--Potomac Swim School

Thoughts, ideas, personal experience with kids in lessons at these places??

Thanks!

[Jenjen391]

Not sure how old your kid is, but I recommend the Fairfax County RECenters. We've done a baby and me swim class at Providence RECenter in Falls Church and a toddler and me at South Run in Springfield. Pretty inexpensive and good for getting your kid used to water + some basic skills. We will probably do another class this winter at South Run and then join a neighborhood swim club next summer to put those skills to use

[michgc]

I don't know if this is still the case, but a lot of moms from my moms club used to complain about the water being very cold at Oak Marr. It may have changed - that was a few years ago, but something to consider.

[saganista]

NoVa is actually quite a swimming hotbed, so for kids who get interested in it, this is a great place to be. As mentioned above, the Y and Rec Center classes for infants and toddlers are great and cheap. If the kids come to like the water, there are lots of ways to go. Some of which can lead to getting up at 3:30 in the morning to get them to winter swim practice before school, so be careful about that...

[GCPA]

Check out Claude Moore Park in Sterling. Think they offer swim lessons at their indoor facility.

[claremarie]

We had a great experience at Spring Hill. Not sure if other REC center pools have similar configurations, but Spring Hill has a gradual entrance to the "baby pool" area, which is also heated to a higher temperature than the rest of the pool. As saganista noted, it worked so well that all three ended up as competitive swimmers, with the oldest doing the dreaded 4:50 am practices at one point.

But the classes are very popular, so you need to sign up fast when they are announced.

[NoVA_Lurker]

Originally Posted by GCPA

Check out Claude Moore Park in Sterling. Think they offer swim lessons at their indoor facility.

Thanks. I didn't know about this place, but it looks quite nice. I'll check it out!

[NoVA_Lurker]

Originally Posted by saganista

Some of which can lead to getting up at 3:30 in the morning to get them to winter swim practice before school, so be careful about that...

I'd love for him to become a confident and accomplished swimmer...but the idea of getting up at 3:30am makes me want to cry!!! Of course, we'll be happy for him to find something that he's passionate about, and if swimming is it...then I guess we'll figure it out!

[NoVA_Lurker]

Thanks to all of you for the ideas. I'd love to hear more first-hand stories if anyone else wants to chime in. (Yes, I'm sure I'm putting way too much energy into thinking about this...at 16 months, he doesn't really care where he's going!)

Have a good day!

[cdmurphy]

I know quite a few people with kids at the Tom Dolan Swim School (formerly Carlile) at the Dulles 28 Centre (by Wegmans). It seems to be highly recommended.