The instructor Elan was wonderful. My son immediately connected with her and her approach was…read moregeared perfectly with his hesitancies and learning style. Her approach to swimming wasnt like another other traditional learn to swim program, getting my son to become comfortable and confident in the pool in a just a few lessons and he is now swimming independently across the pool. Would highly recommend.

I am in my early 30s and have a fear of water. Though I know it is possible I just could not bring…read moremy legs to come up and move around in the pool. I was encouraged by my husband to learn how to swim again after a bad experience from swimming lessons when I was a child. I contacted Lori and one statement she said stuck to me, "You will not be afraid, if you have an exit strategy." She put me in touch with Craig and when we met up for my first lesson, he just said: "As long as you trust me and trust yourself, I can probably get you to float during your first lesson." I honestly thought that he was quite ambitious. I had a two hour lesson and Craig spent the first part of the lesson getting me comfortable in the water and explaining to me theoretically how the water can work to your favor. I told Craig that my biggest fear was the front float as I was extremely uncomfortable with my face in the water. He explained to me that when I take my makeup off and wash my face in the shower at night, I had to hold my breath. He told me to treat it as it was the same routine. I held my breath and dunked my face in the water knowing that he was right there. Then, he proceeded to hold my hand and told me to try again and this time lifting my legs up. Lastly, he said, "When you first saw me, you gave me a hug...I assumed you liked me enough, that's why you leaned forward to give me a hug." "Why don't you try again, come towards me...trust me I won't let anything happen to you." And I guess, that was it...I looked at him, held my breath, and leaned in towards him and there it was I floated...just like that. I had a total of 4 (2 hour long) lessons with Craig. Currently, I am able to partially do the breast stroke, free-style, and float on my front and back. I've still got lots to work on and plan to continue my swimming journey with Craig, but I never knew I was able to do it until Lori and Craig encouraged me that I can. If you are an adult with a fear of water, but is eager to learn how to swim, please consider Aqua Skills. If you trust Craig/Lori and yourself, you can definitely do it.

I learned enough here to enjoy some shallow pool swimming, which I'm truly grateful for,…read moreconsidering how I wouldn't even set foot in a pool before taking these classes. However, for the price, I could've probably learned much more elsewhere. Most of the instructors here are great; patient, friendly, and professional. But I'm sorry to have to join in the chorus with others and agree that the owner, Lori, is a terror. She sets a hostile environment, constantly screaming at her boyfriend, Craig, and interrupting lessons. The way that she communicates with her staff is simply weird and disrespectful. I've heard her disparage the instructors to students. Other times, I'll hear her TALK TO HERSELF out loud and say things like, "I''ve been doing this for 15 years, I know what I'm talking about, no need to make a big deal about this" - - the look on her employees' faces after these bizarre statements is one of resignation and confusion, because they must be used to her passive aggressive style, yet bewildered by her snide remarks. I'm not describing constructive criticism expressed harshly, I'm describing a woman who gossips and complains about her employees to students. So everyone is minding their own business, teaching and learning, and then out of nowhere she'll just scream at Craig, or say something snarky to/about her instructors for no apparent reason. One time, Craig, who was really kind to me, mentioned that I should come in ten minutes earlier just to warm up. I thought that was nice, so I did. I'm in the pool, and I see Lori get out and go to Craig and loudly complain to him how it's not okay to allow students to start early. It was passive aggressive and rude. I arrived 10 minutes early only once, and only because Craig offered. But even if he was mistaken, it would have been fine if she simply just told me that they couldn't accommodate. The pool can be busy. I get it; too many people in the pool would be disruptive to students who paid for their sessions. Instead, she chose the childish tantrum route and talked about me in front of me. This made me so uncomfortable that I wanted to quit immediately. I stayed because I was determined to learn. You will see from her response below that she's not one for healthy conflict resolution or professional propriety. It is disturbing how she lies as a defense. It means a lot to customers when they see that an owner cannot own up to a mistake. See photo of screenshot I posted: Lori edited her comments to my review 21 times. Each iteration more bizarre and divorced from reality than before. Obsessing over her response is not only creepy but the end result becomes contrived. Does it take 21+ attempts to make herself appear right? It became almost humorous so I took screenshots of her versions of alternate realities. She kept erasing her comments after I called out each lie. Thanks to all former students who messaged me to support my review. It's true that Lori is her own worst enemy. I would have left my review at 3 stars had she not been so relentlessly vindictive. Those who are ambivalent about this place can find many more testimonials on the TimeOut New York site: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/sport-fitness/aqua-skills#tab_panel_4

This is a long story but I went here myself several years ago and had a great experience. I was an…read moreadult non swimmer, but now I can swim!! I thought if I ever had a kid this is where I would go. Fast forward I brought Otto my son here when he was about 5 months. He didn't love it but the instruction was solid and loving. We stopped for a while because he was just not ready -- though I'm really glad I gave him that first year because he learned how to go under water and never held his nose. We shopped around for cheaper and closer and finally we came back. In one lesson he was swimming !!!! His teacher then and now Victoria is amazing!! She is steady loving and firm. The way we learn best. It's so worth the money if you really want you child to be safe in the water and learn to swim .

Tribeca location... We've been going to this location for…read morethe past 6 years. Alice is absolutely amazing and all 3 kids are very happy but what makes us parents happy is the quality of their work. They have recently opened a play space for the kids while they wait for classes; the locker rooms are now spotless, the place overall in nice and clean and very welcoming for families. Customer service is great, they're very accommodating and flexible. Highly recommend them.

We work with Stachees for private swimming lessons for my 3-year-old son, and we made the switch…read moreafter using another instructor for over a year. The progress we've seen since then has been incredible. Stachees has a wonderful attitude with kids - she's very patient, attentive and my son looks forward to his lessons with her every week. I've already recommended her to three different parents because I have nothing but positive things to say about her. She has instilled confidence in my son when it comes to being in the water, and I feel relieved knowing he'll know how to react in case of an emergency. You won't be disappointed if you hire her!!!

Most everyone is friendly and professional, but one instructor has a harsh, punitive tone and an…read moreoverly controlling attitude, that does not add to the positive and safe atmosphere where learning happens. It's just summer swimming, not paramedics out on an emergency, and the clients are kids.

I came here every other week for intermediate drills class. This place is awesome since there arent…read moretoo many places to take swimming class in manhattan. If u r a swimmer like me you would feel the whole world just become so DRY without swim laps in a pool. I took Ian's class. He is funny and sarcastic some times but funny overall. He would ask what your goal is before taking the class and design ur own strokes/practices based on your need. The only downside is i sign up for classes through classpass and they only offer mon tues wednes 7:45pm on classpass.

The instructed staff were wonderful . my daughter enjoyed…read moreher swimming lessons and they gave her great attention while other swimmers were there. The energy was great, thank you guys !

Very decent place good programs and i like the staff very likable and sweet they are also not…read moretrying to charge me and add me into an unwanted program like "freedom aquatics" does and they do respond to emails and texts

Wonderfull program, dedicated instructors and great families enrolled. We are very grateful for the…read moreattention to detail and very sensitive approach to our special needs child.

We've been taking our 2.5 year old son at this Aquabeba location for a few months, and we are…read moregenerally happy. First of all, as these swim classes took place in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, we've been very happy with all the safety precautions: - Classes were limited to 2 students, recently expanded to 3. - Only one parent/guardian and the child are allowed in the building at any time. - The parent/guardian and the child are allowed in the building only 5 minutes before class. - They check temperatures for all. The pool is heated, it is clean, and there are two bathrooms/changing rooms, each one with 6 lockers and one shower. They clean the changing areas in between classes. The instructors are great, and the 30-minute classes we took are intense[1]. Even though the exercises and routines were essentially the same, a lot depends on the energy of the teacher. I feel that the more energetic teachers are actually the more effective. There are a few things to consider: - The pool is not very big. It is certainly large enough for the 3 students plus 3 parents/guardians in the current class, but things could get crowded at full capacity. Also considering that each changing room has only one shower. - There is no priority enrollment for students who are currently enrolled in a class. Once the mass email for new enrollment is sent out, spots are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. Basically you only have a few minutes to register your kid. - There is no phone number to call. For anything you need, you have to send an email. The person in charge is nice and will reply, usually within a couple of days, and often within a few hours. However, if you need information quickly, thins is a problem. -------------------- [1] This was the Sea Otters level: 1 year/10 months to 2 yrs/10 months.

Our daughter has been going to this location consistently for 3 years and prior to that she went to…read moreanother location. The swim instruction has been 4-5 stars. She's learned so much and she's a really good swimmer. In the beginning we frequently had different instructors, but she's been with the same man (Michael!) for a long time now. She loves him and she has learned so much with him. He truly cares about teaching the kids and he works with them at the level where they are. We anticipate our child will go on to be on a swim team at some point - and we attribute this to her teacher, who has helped her learn and thrive. The facility of this location is in an apartment building. The pool area is not well maintained by the building. It's important to note that the swim school/company rents this space from them and has no control over the maintenance other than making sure the pool chemical levels are in check. They are not responsible for the building, the cleaning, or even the supplies. I know this because I have asked many times and they have no control. Yes, of course they choose to rent here, but in NYC are there really that many options? The pool itself is great and we try to think of it that way - swimming pools and classes are hard to find here, especially for a good price. So we have stayed here all these years, with the facilities being underwhelming for sure, because the instructors and pool is good. I have interacted with the swim school administration as well. They are good, and have actually been willing to accommodate our requests, help us to find lost items, and listened to feedback. They offer makeup classes if you miss one, which many places do not. I've also seen the lifeguard in action and know that safety here is a priority. Overall, I'd recommend to people, as long as they know the place isn't super pretty or fancy and are okay with that. Again, the swim company doesn't actually control this at all, and while that sucks, it's true.

My daughter loves going to swimming lessons there. I can see amazing progress and love people who…read morework there- very kind and professional .