Our son has been taking lessons at SwimQuest for a couple months. The facility and instruction are…read moretop notch. The facility is set up to be both kid friendly, but also peaceful and serene. The lessons are a bit more expensive than the other leading kids swim school, but there are fewer kids so it is not nearly as chaotic. The kids definitely get great instruction and learn to swim in no time. Our son is not yet 3 and can nearly swim on his own after the lessons that he received here. The only thing that is a little strange with their structure is that your time and instructor are not guaranteed from one season to the next, so if you like your time slot and want to keep it, you need to wait in line on sign-up day. The benefit is that everyone has an equal chance of getting their preferred time each season and if you don't get it one season you have a chance the next season. Also, you need to pay for the full season up front, which is a big expense compared to other swim schools where you pay monthly. All in all, we've had a great experience here and would highly recommend it to get you child swimming well.

My newly seven year old granddaughter has been swimming really well since beginning at SwimQuest…read more She took a break during Covid when she was 2 1/2 - 5, but returned once she went to Kindergarten. Mr. Chris is very skilled in teaching as well as patient. I can't help believe that a great deal of my granddaughters success is the trust she has in her trainer and the feeling of caring for his students and his sincere commitment to their individualized progress, he demonstrates. The entire family is thrilled with SwimQuest.

When I decided to dive, it seemed bold at the time because I've never snorkeled, Fall was ending…read moreand the idea of having tons and tons of water above me while I build the muscle memory to use the only thing keeping me alive was not something I would willingly do, at least with a sane mind. I spent about a week researching about scuba and realized the importance of buoyancy and trim. Unfortunately, I also found that almost all beginner friendly scuba classes treat buoyancy as something to check off a list. I was personally shocked because it meant that the vast majority of divers never really spent enough time learning to be neutrally buoyant. I cannot stress how important this is- divers kill coral, destroy ecosystems and by extension, marine life by simply being sloppy. Sandra realizes this and much more, it is evident on her website. Her classes are small in size and feels like a mentorship program (which was exactly what I was looking for) as she often teaches beginners and advanced students side by side, giving the beginners an opportunity to watch and learn from master divers. Safety is paramount to her, followed by buddy awareness and buoyancy. She is a passionate cave diver which is a highly technical side of diving, hence even if you just try your best to imitate her underwater, you will end up learning more than any beginner anywhere in the world. She is also a very meticulous teacher. You really have to earn your certification from her, making it all the more rewarding when you finally do. (as opposed to diving in a resort and checking a list off) In about 7 hours in the water at Dutch springs (including a snow day) I've become perfectly comfortable underwater -with a dry suit- evident to me and the other divers who buddy up, because of Sandra. She even managed to instill confidence and passion in me to get into technical diving and take up advanced courses. I cannot recommend her enough! 10 stars!

I got both my Open Water and Dry Suit Diver certifications with Sandra. Both the pool and open…read morewater sessions were well-run, organized and 110% thorough. I always felt very confident that I was being taught not just the basics, but also a lot of other helpful information. This is not your average, "check the box" certification. Sandra is extremely flexible and often spends a lot of extra time with students, whether it's to help with the e-learning or during the sessions themselves. She truly goes above and beyond. "Scuba Sandra" should also be known as Safety Sandra, because she is huge on safety, both out of the water and in it. Sandra has been diving for more than a decade, and it shows. I loved hearing her stories and also her teaching tools (ways to remember things, anecdotes, et cetera). And she's got a great sense of humor that I could appreciate. She's also very real, honest and down-to-earth (get it?). I would highly recommend booking her for your certification(s).

I just completed my Open Water course at Pan Aqua, and can't recommend it enough. Sean, Karen, and…read moreJoe were fantastic teachers, and made sure everyone got personal attention and tips so that we'll be safe and prepared for our certification. Even from the first moments in the shop, they spent extra time helping us pick out equipment--not just giving us the bargain basement rentals, but fitting us with the best masks. Sean and his team made the pool dives and required skill learning fun, easy, and informative. As soon as we walked in the door, we were treated like regulars, and old friends. I'll be returning to Pan Aqua to start buying my dive gear, and if you're looking to get started, you should absolutely make Pan Aqua your home shop. They're so passionate, flexible, and excited to share their love of diving, and it made me even happier that I decided to start.

I have been a client of PanAqua for over twenty years--they trained me, they've helped me with…read morediving questions and issues, and they have supplied me with all of my equipment. Diving can be a dangerous sport if the equipment you rent at a resort hasn't been properly serviced, I have always preferred to own my equipment personally as a long-term investment. Nearly every dollar I spent over 20 years ago, all of the equipment is in top shape and will last decades more. I have traveled on their trips from South Africa to Polynesia and beyond. Some reviewers say to consider Amazon or scuba websites, but when you're down 100 feet underwater, nobody cares how much you saved by going online. If your equipment fails, it's kablooey and you're dead. The instructors and owners are fantastic, and nobody can consult you better on equipment than Lorraine. She analyzes every option before suggesting a good match for you. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

I took the Saturday One-Day Lesson (which is the confined pool part of the open water…read morecertification) with Tom. Tom was a wonderful instructor: he was knowledgeable, direct, able to describe instructions as many ways as needed for everyone to understand, and above all he was patient. Tom is also honest and direct - certain things must be learned and there is no way around that. What Tom teaches (and taught our class) will be necessary to ensure your dives are safe...and could save your life. I was joined by two other students for this class, and the small group size was a pleasant surprise to me. I recommend that everyone and anyone - no matter your skill level - who is interested in this class take it here, and take it with Tom.

I am an experienced scuba diver and wanted to get my 10 year old certified. I signed her up for the…read moreconfined water classes offered by Adventure scuba and had a wonderful experience. Tom, the instructor was incredibly nice, capable, competent, and patient. The classes are very intimate with only four students. The proximity of the pool to the dive shop is literally across the street. We had amazing experience with my daughter learning all the skills in a very short period of time. I will follow up on this post as we were going for the open water dives next week. Thanks again to all the people adventure scuba. You all did a great job and we had a great time. **** Ok - following up on the above, great news. She passed her open water check outs with flying colors in the Caymans. The instructors thought she was perfectly prepared and will be a safe and capable diver. Thanks again to the Adventure Scuba team for solid work!!

The Berkeley Aquatic Club is where I came to do my physical therapy after I had knee surgery. I…read moretried doing the standard therapy and then Covid hit. I then found the Berkeley Aquatic Center in New Providence which offers water therapy. It has been working out wonderfully for me. There's only two people max in the pool. Everyone must wear a mask at all times, and we practice social distancing even in the water. My instructor is right there at pool side giving instructions. Myself and the other attendee take turns using the equipment. The pool has a full set of stairs with rails, so for me getting in and out of the water was not as difficult as a regular pool's set of stairs.It is extremely relaxing because the water is very calming to the body. I had to call first from my car to let the front desk know I arrived. Then I would be met by a worker at the front door, and then they would do a temperature check on me. Once good, I would then proceed to the pool.There is a locker room/ bathroom with showers and a changing area. I just bring a bag and a change of clothes and keep it with me, I could lock it up if I choose to. My sessions would last 45 minutes to an hour depending upon the day. The pool water temperature is kept at 85° at all times.They have a built in treadmill, along with arm weights and noodles, and other pool equipment to get a complete workout. There is a platform with a step down until a little bit deeper water. When I started I could hardly move. By the time I completed a few sessions I was able to start on the treadmill. I could feel myself getting stronger and stronger with each session. It is so much easier to exercise in a pool when your body is in pain. My body felt weightless !. It doesn't hurt like it did when I did traditional PT. My physical therapist Jamie was wonderful. She was extremely patient, very pleasant, and she really was in tune with what I would say to her in regards to my pain. Every session was different. Jamie also gave me some exercises to do at home. This is the best I felt in months. The Berkeley Aquatic Center has a full size pool where they give swim lessons to young kids. Right now due to Covid it has been kept closed. They take most insurances, you need to have a script from your doctor to attend. Every week I look forward to my sessions.When it ends I'm going to feel sad. . I highly recommend water therapy for anyone looking for an alternative to traditional therapy .

I had a great experience with Scuba Network! When I got a last minute invitation to join an old…read morefriend on a scuba diving trip, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity. Unfortunately, I hadn't been diving in 30 years! I called the folks at Scuba Network and everyone I engaged with was extremely accommodating. They helped me sign up for an eLearning refresher course and encouraged me to grab the last spot in an upcoming beginner's, in-person, 2-day pool dive to reacquaint myself with the gear and familiarize myself with some new technology since I last dove (goodbye dive tables, hello dive computers!). They equipped me with all the regular gear and even helped me pick out a scuba mask with reading bifocals when I told them after the first day that I couldn't read my gauges. (Yes, bifocal masks are a thing!) Ryan Hoffman, my dive instructor, was fantastic. He was patient, easy-to-understand, thorough, and kept things moving well. He also didn't miss a thing. If someone seemed nervous during an underwater exercise, he was right there to put them at ease and help them master it. If someone didn't clear their mask of water fully, he had them try again until they crushed it. At every step he was enabling us to know how to do for ourselves because in Scuba, though it's a buddy sport, you don't want to leave the details to anyone else -- you're safest when you are self-sufficient. Within days, I felt as confident about scuba diving as I did 30 years ago when I got certified -- no, actually, I felt more confident! I can't wait to get back in the open water now, and I'm even considering getting my kids to take up this past time so we can go as a family. If so, I'll take them to Scuba Network to learn!

Great lads at this local dive shop. Came in as I wanted to finally invest in my own mask + snorkel…read moreset for SCUBA and freedive. Staff members were super friendly with a love of the game, and were so helpful in giving me the right metrics by which to evaluate fit for my gear. Left with what I needed and will be back soon for a set of fins no doubt. Prices match those online so definitely strong value in coming in-person to try on difficult to fit gear like masks and fins. They also do courses and dive charters here, which I'd love to take advantage of soon.

I have one child who has not just learned how to swim, but has improved in both technique and…read moretiming. When they started around age 7, they were very unsure and nervous to be in the water without a flotation device. They've had the same instructor, Mark for about the last 2 years and holds him in high regard! My other child (age 5) started lessons a little over a year ago and is already swimming a short distance to the instructor! The Deck Director, Anthony is very personable and kind. Our only complaint is that yes, the water temperature is very cold.

The baby & me class is ok. The instructors are patient & pleasant. My issue is that a lot of times…read morethe pool water is COLD! Unacceptable. The babies & toddlers already shiver being in warm water, so imagine how brutal it is when the pool water is actually cold. MSU has to do better

Went on the sunset tour with these guys last night and had a great time! It's of course pricier…read morethan you'd expect kayaking anywhere else around NJ to be but you can understand why. Not only is the location the biggest draw of the experience but they are super coordinated and diligent about provide safety measures and precautions for everyone throughout the tour. They do promote that it's friendly to beginners and although I've kayaked before I was a bit nervous being out in the Hudson. We were running like 5 minutes late and they even called to check in, my friend didn't like that because she said it stressed her out but I thought it was great of them to look out for all the attendees since we had already reserved and paid for our spot, they even directed me to parking since I got a bit confused. When you arrive they give a detailed tutorial and answer all your basic questions and when you're out in the water there are multiple guys patrolling to make sure everyone feels safe! They've got the leader on his kayak that you follow as well as guys on jet skis at the perimeter and someone on a paddle board as well. All super friendly and keeping an eye out for the group! Such a lovely experience and I have a feeling I'll be back brining more friends to enjoy this with me!

The setup: Mother's Day was coming up and I always try to find something unique and different for…read morethe momma of my kids as well as the mother-in-law. And I stumbled upon Urban Paddle and booked it for a 9am adventure. We lucked out that every variable and condition was ideal: weather, tide, calm water, almost no other boat-related traffic. We're a party of 7. The 'Urban Crew' numbered at 5. We were spoiled from start to finish with a group of really cool and helpful workers that were informative, fun, professional and made sure we were always safe and engaged the entire hour. (Make sure to watch their 6-minute YouTube video ahead of time so you know all about the proper paddling/rowing techniques when it comes time to hit the water.) The 'Urban Crew' were also invaluable because the owner was constantly taking pictures and videos and at the end airdropped them to us which was a nice 'cherry on top' since you can't really snap pictures for big chunks of the time when you're on the water. Is it expensive for an hour? No doubt. Did everyone absolutely love kayaking and getting to see everything from the Colgate clock to the back of the Statue of Liberty's head to the NYC skyline, not to mention all of the stunning yachts all docked and looking completely out of my price-range? Of course. Was it the funniest thing to see my mother-in-law somehow leaning back in her kayak like she was on a hammock while the father-in-law did all the hard work? Yup. (Did a cranky security guard try her best to be a stick in the mud regarding confusion over some parking-related issues when we were about to leave? Oh yeah.) I'd suggest clothing/footwear that you don't mind getting wet as well as sunglasses and sunblock (that sun is no joke bouncing off the water). Highly recommended. (The Mrs. is already plotting when to go back and I think she's even pricing kayaks to buy with that stimulus check that's burning a hole in her wallet.)