I was so excited to take swim lessons here. Unfortunately, I won't be able to. I inquired and…read morespecifically asked was the pool heated, the response was an enthusiastic, "Yes!" I show up to my lesson and before I even finish removing my sweatpants, the instructor, Shani states that the pool is Chilly. I respond, "I thought the pool was heated?" He states it is but it's chilly today and they only rent space so they can't control the temperature. He also states he is under the weather and wouldn't even be getting in the pool unless I really wanted him to. Why would I want someone who is sick being hands on during my lesson? And why would an instructor not just reschedule if something that should be hands on, like a swim lesson, is required if they were sick. Long story short, I couldn't do the lesson and was refused a refund. Wonderful! If you like cold pools and the instructor watching you flail on the sidelines, then go for it!

This review is long overdue! Growing up, I never learned how to swim, but it was always a goal of…read moremine to conquer it. While I wasn't afraid of pools or the ocean, I'd drown if I found myself in deep water without a life vest. I decided to finally take the plunge and learn in my 30s, and I'm so glad I found Woody! At the time, she was offering lessons in Oakland, and I chose her because it was in my neighborhood. Although the 1:1 lessons were a bit pricey for my budget at the time, they were worth it! After a few months of lessons, I was able to get past the mental barrier I had around deep water and finally learned how to tread water. Beyond that, Woody equipped me with numerous skills and techniques to feel confident and comfortable in the water. Let me tell you, learning to swim as an adult is no easy feat, but having a fantastic instructor makes all the difference. I highly recommend Woody for swim lessons! Thank you, Woody!

I joined Montclair Swim Club because I was looking for an option closer to home and after about a…read moreyear decided it wasn't really for me. They have good hours and the lifeguards at the front office are super helpful. The pool itself is a bit unusual - one end is quite shallow so it takes a bit of getting used to it for doing flip turns. There are always kids around - and quite often children's swim teams practicing. When I first started swimming there, I kept hear the name "Marco" being yelled repeatedly and thought "This must be the worst game of Marco-Polo ever!" I later found out it was that one guy on the kids' swim team who doesn't hear instructions and keeps swimming when everyone else is stopping. The hot tub is not bad - it's quite big. It's sadly full of people who all seem to want to talk OVER the noise of the jets. I can only imagine what it must be like for the people who live in the canyon all around and have to hear banal conversations, frequently alcohol fueled as there are many people with cans of beer in the hot tub, about personal relationships and compost bins. While parking is plentiful - there are plenty of people who block the road because they can't be bothered to park and walk 20 feet. There are even some rather entitled white male Tesla drivers who will criticize another person's driving despite the fact that they had no problems parking themselves (and the parking lines are many, worn down, and contradictory at best). There's definitely a bit of elitist element among the long time/regulars. Finally, the locker rooms are a horror. They are not kept clean and could do with re-tiling. The lockers are a mess. The toilets are miniscule and not much bigger than what you'd find in an airplane. I do confess that the source of my discontent was a visit to Villa Sport in San Jose last summer -- and the realization that for HALF the money, I could be getting way way more value. Let's not even get into the strange cash-only deposits and lack of policy to suspend membership when out of town or out of commission for long periods of time. It's a really great pool and club for families -- it's got picnic tables, grills, and you can bring the au pair as part of your membership. Two stars for single people without kids who prefer clean lockerooms - but five stars for families with lower standards and more money.

I go here five or six days a week, the beautiful location and lack of crowds makes it easy for me…read moreto get my laps in. Sure, i wish the pools had been resurfaced in the last twenty years or that the locker rooms felt a little less wet/moist, but tbh it all makes it feel like this is my personal club. I'm basically writing this review to make sure the swim club sticks around for another 100 years, i dunno what i'd do without it

It's crowded and patrons are rude. On the regular you have to deal with the following:…read more-towels stolen when left on lounge chairs -belongings thrown off lounge chair and chair taken over while you're in the water -grown adults will get in the lane, won't notify you, begin swimming, crashing head on into you (a bit traumatizing and dangerous) -circle swim w/ 3 people: certain types of people are impatient and angry for whatever reason, demanding you hurry up and push off the wall, are too slow, or try other tactics to bully you out the lane. (I continue swimming at my own pace, refuse to leave the lane) -communal shower, low water pressure. -swimsuit spinner always out of order -the director who sends out weekly newsletters is pretty efficient and has been there for years after previous high turnover.

It's outdoor pool check! A lot of lanes which i love especially when you are doing laps swimming…read more It's open to the public from Monday till Saturday just check on their website which is accurate and always updated everyday. They got a punch card (10) passes for $64, not bad, if you want to swim for a day, they offer a 1 day pass for only $8 . Parking is free, just on the other side of the road but if you have a handicapped placard you can park near the vicinity. The pool is almost near the post entrance, it's just kinda tricky. I go by my Waze app and type the Trefethen Aquatic Center by Mills college.

Ohana has been a superb experience for both of my kids. They've both had terrific, consistent…read moreteachers, and they've grown leaps and bounds in the two years they've spent here. They look forward to swim class - it's the highlight of the week. The community here is truly lovely and welcoming, and we appreciate being a part of it!

My daughter has been taking weekly classes for a year and a half and I've been so pleased with her…read moreprogress. She's autistic and has ADHD and started off with a moderate fear of getting her face wet and some pretty high levels of anxiety and sensory issues. She's totally swimming independently now, is working hard to improve, and just loves it. The environment was a good "fit" for her and we're super sad that it's closing so abruptly. We had just been considering adding more classes.

We just had our third lesson with Amanda today, and she's been absolutely wonderful with my 11- and…read more9-year-old. I was especially concerned about my younger one, who's hesitant about getting his head in the water. Amanda has been so patient and reassuring--she calmly addresses his fears, explains what he needs to work on, and encourages him in a way that really builds his confidence. Both of my kids feel very comfortable with her, and I truly appreciate her supportive and positive approach.

My husband and I needed quick swim lessons before our honeymoon in Hawaii. Amanda was an amazing…read moreinstructor! She showed us the basics and gave tips to improve our form. Amanda was able to provide practice times around our crazy schedule. We were very grateful to get her support before our trip. Thanks to her we were able to enjoy beach life and snorkeling with no fear.

Our experience at Aquatech this past year has been amazing for our 3 and 5 year old. Our goal was…read moreto primarily build confidence in water and basic swim skills for safety. The entire experience has been seamless. Classes can be booked online or if you need to skip a day you can get a make up token. You check in on an iPad and it tells you your lane and instructor. Changing facilities and bathrooms are super clean and plentiful. We never need to wait. Sitting area for parents is comfortable and you can easily see your kid in the pool. Our children have a fear of water on their faces and are super sensitive, but our instructors kindly got them over that fear. Coach Gabe in particular has been so patient with my son, and he has really grown into a confident swimmer in just 3 months! He went from screaming when water touched his face to dunking his head and holding his breath underwater. Their tadpole program is great too for babies and toddlers, although my daughter is not progressing as quickly since she doesn't get 1:1 attention from an instructor. Private lessons are pricier but it's the way to go if you need more help.

Very disappointing experience with employee Dewey…read more My child has been attending Aqua Tech Swim School since 2023. Over the years, I've seen employees come and go, and although the turnover seems high, the staff I've encountered have generally been friendly, pleasant, respectful, and professional. Unfortunately, my experience with Dewey on August 14 was completely different. My child recently moved up a level, so we were in a different lane than we had previously been. This was only our second week in this particular class and lane. The week before, I sat on the bench near the class without any issue. On August 14, we arrived late. When I arrived, another family was already sitting on the bench, and they had been sitting there for approximately 15 minutes before I got there. Dewey walked directly past that family, said absolutely nothing to them, and then came straight over to me within less than five minutes of me sitting down. He then told me, in an unnecessarily nasty and aggressive tone, that I could not sit there. I was caught completely off guard and asked, "Are you talking to me?" Instead of simply explaining the rule, he continued speaking to me in the same rude and confrontational manner. What I find particularly baffling is that he had literally just walked past a family that had already been sitting on that same bench for approximately 15 minutes and said nothing to them, yet he specifically came over to me shortly after I sat down and aggressively told me I couldn't sit there. If the bench was off-limits, that is completely fine. I have no issue following rules. But then the rule should be communicated consistently and respectfully to everyone--not selectively enforced against one parent while another family sitting there for 15 minutes is completely ignored. He eventually said the benches were for the toddler class. But there were no toddlers there, and there was no toddler class taking place at that time that evening. So naturally, I was left questioning why this was handled the way it was. Again, the issue is not being asked to move. The issue is Dewey's attitude, tone, and the fact that he walked past the other family without saying a word and came directly to me. There was absolutely no reason to approach a parent in such a rude, aggressive, and confrontational manner over something that could have been communicated politely in one sentence. The other family witnessed the interaction and heard his tone. His behavior was noticeable enough that they immediately got up before he even approached them. I have been bringing my child to Aqua Tech since 2023, and this interaction was unlike my experiences with the other employees. I expect staff members who interact with parents to conduct themselves professionally, regardless of what rule they are trying to enforce. Dewey's behavior was rude, unnecessarily aggressive, and unprofessional. If there is a seating rule, enforce it consistently. If a parent needs to move, simply explain the rule respectfully. There was no justification for the attitude I received. Aqua Tech should seriously consider addressing how Dewey communicates with parents, because one employee's behavior can leave a very negative impression on a family that has otherwise had years of positive experiences with the school

Just know that you are going to pay an arm and a leg to come to this pool, but it will be worth it…read moreif you can swing it. This pool was recently renovated and it's gorgeous. I love the beach walk-in and it's the perfect size for kids to play in. Lots of ourdoor seating and also a pavilion as well (just know that you have to leave the pool to get to the pavilion). There are outdoor showers and bathrooms. The lifeguards are doing their job and keeping things save and clean as well. The water is so warm! It feels amazing. Although if it's cold and breezy outside, it's hard to stay completely out of the water. Floatation devices are not allowed however if needed, there are life vests available. You will pay to come here. 1 adult and child is about $40, so try and stay and get your monies worth. I would recommend but call ahead if it's a nice day to make sure there's space available.

Very expensive $20, very crowded and not a very diverse community. Parking is awful because it's…read morenext to two schools. No handicap accessible parking

They are the unicorns of swim lessons. Don't look any…read morefurther. Just figure it out as they are costly, but well worth it!! The absolute best in the area. 1 kid went through them and my second is currently In the program. Love HP!!

Great experience for both of my boys! Started my 5 year old in the fall and quickly enrolled our 3…read moreyear old. Both are in the 30 minute class and have progressed very quickly. We're continuing because it's building both skill and self esteem for them. Our 5 year old in particular is shy and tends to quit trying if he feels challenged, having this opportunity to build a skill he feels competent in is really valuable for him at this age. Can't thank everyone here enough for all they provide for these young kids.

Was at The Hills during a World Cup match and got a little loud cheering -- apparently that…read morebothered some other guests. Honestly that made me feel bad because the last thing I want to do is make people uncomfortable, and I wasn't even the only one watching the game, so I'm still kind of confused about the whole thing. I totally get people come here to relax and I respect that. But there's no sign anywhere that says "please be quiet," so the only way I can respect an unspoken rule is if someone actually tells me it exists. I'm from Oakland, where people just say something if you're being too loud -- I've had it happen to me in a cafe before and I just said "oh sorry" and toned it down. I own it when someone tells me. But I can't read a room I don't know and guess at rules nobody says out loud. Instead of anyone saying anything to me in the moment, nothing was said at all -- until later, when I asked what happened and was told management wanted to launch an investigation? That felt like a lot for a noise thing during a soccer game. If someone had just said something when it happened, I could've easily stepped outside to watch instead. 3 stars because most members here are genuinely nice -- I've been asked more than once if I'm from Mexico lol, probably bc I'm the only Latino there, and it's fine, people just don't know. That's a separate thing from the noise situation though, which I still think is worth mentioning. Locker rooms are clean, pool's clean, vibe was chill until this happened.

Horrible smarmy management. We were taking swimming lessons at the hills. Really thought the…read moreinstructors were great, my kids loved the classes. We stayed 10-15 minutes past what their policy stated a couple times (not on purpose) bc it's really hard to corral small kids out of the pool and to get dressed especially when you can't enter the bathrooms with them bc they are the opposite sex. The smarmy manager was constantly watching our movements, i felt hounded by all the monitoring.. It felt was very stressful and unwelcoming. Management was also cowardly and Instead of sending reminders of policies themselves, management has their instructors do their dirty work. Our lessons got cancelled without any warning. I think we didn't fit their aesthetics so they were looking for a reason to remove us. Very inhospitable, snobby, horrible communication, and passive aggressive.

I cannot recommend the Institute of Urban Homesteading's Cheese Making Intensive enough…read more This day and a half "intensive" is a combination of the cheese making 1, 2 and 3 classes, taught by IUH founder Ruby. It's fast-paced and she throws a lot of information at you, but the whole process is warm, interactive and accessible. I immediately felt like I could leave Ruby's home and make these cheeses (and other dairy products!) we had learned in my own. I especially love that she's found what seems like the perfect middle ground between science lesson and home-cook/homesteader understanding. She brings her personal experience in with just enough of the science and technical understanding to make home cheese making incredible accessible and attainable. I also love that IUH also has a sliding scale for fees because it demonstrates the value they put on what they teach in making these classes more widely accessible. I already have the summer farm tours on my calendar, and I can't wait to take my next class.

I recently took the Canning tomatoes class- and left with all of the skills I needed to do it on my…read moreown. Ruby does such a great job of detailing everything you need to know- as well as why it works. She dispels a lot of myths and fears about canning- it's really not so hard as people think! The class was really fun, part listening and part hands on. We all left with a jar of tasty marinara and the confidence to do it on our own. I would highly recommend any of the IUH classes. They are professional, informative, and give you everything you need to do it on your own without costing an arm and a leg!