Goldfish Swim School, Danvers is not your typical swim lessons provider. As someone who put their child in several different lesson types around the North Shore, I can tell you that this was the place we went where it finally clicked.
Goldfish Swim School lessons aren’t located in a big gym or hotel pool. They take place in a dedicated swim lessons facility, designed to be a play-based space. The pool area is heated to 90 degrees which means no coaxing your child to jump into cold water, or shivering poolside when they’ve finished lessons. The pool is roped off into several sections and each section includes an island for kids to stand on in the water while they wait their turn to practice the skills being taught.
Goldfish Swim School, Danvers is owned and operated by mom of 2, Sarah Kepic. When Goldfish first opened in Danvers, in 2021 we interviewed her. Check out Sarah’s Meet-a-Mom Interview!
Sarah’s team includes welcoming and friendly managers and staff along with instructors who are all certified lifeguards and must pass a 10-shift training process that includes two tests. They train to be safe and effective instructors, learning directional teaching, techniques for explaining skills and emergency action plans. In addition to instructors there are also two lifeguards on duty at the pool per shift.
Children can begin lessons as early as 4 months old–with a parent or guardian in the pool with them, in most cases until age 3. They can continue through three levels of Junior, three levels of Glider and two levels of Pro lessons, all the way to Swim Force which is a non-competitive swim team for ages 12 and under.
Class ratios are 4 children to 1 instructor for most classes with kids age 3 and up, and 6:1 for under 3 with a parent or guardian in the pool. Lessons are progression based, and kids must demonstrate mastery of each level’s skills before they are advanced to the next level.
Ribbons are given to students to celebrate learning a new skill or advancing to the next level. The main goal of any lesson at Goldfish Swim School is to teach kids to be comfortable and safe in the water.
Each lesson is 30 minutes long and starts out with a member of the Goldfish team reminding kids of the rules and encouraging them to have fun. Parents walk their kids into the pool area and greet their instructors, the kids get in the pool and parents then exit to the large waiting area where they can view lessons through a glass wall.
With 5 minutes left, parents re-enter the pool area and get an update from their child’s instructor on what they learned and kids can demonstrate one skill they’re working on.
After lessons Goldfish has lots of private changing rooms, a hair dry station, and bathing suit tumblers so no one needs to leave wet and cold.
This holiday season Goldfish has created five special lesson packages that are only available for purchase November 1st through January 2nd. These packages combine group lessons with additional casual private lessons, family swim passes and more! Learn more about these exclusive holiday deals at goldfishswimschool.com/danvers/holiday-gifting.
In addition to lessons, you can also participate in Goldfish’s Family Swim on Fridays from 5:30-6:30pm and Sundays from 12:45-1:45pm. You don’t need to be a member to sign up for this. Family Swim is $10 per swimmer/max $30 per family, up to 6 people. This requires registration the day before via email. Same-day reservations and walk-ins are not accepted and Family Swim is limited to the first 25-50 swimmers to register depending on the day. This is a fun activity to get the wiggles out in the cold winter months ahead!
And if you’re interested in lessons, but aren’t sure that Goldfish would be right for you, sign up for a Free Trial Lesson by contacting 978-648-3931.
Find Goldfish Swim School, Danvers at 100 Independence Way, Suite 137, Danvers (in the Liberty Mall near Aldi’s). Stay connected with them on Instagram @goldfish_danvers and on Facebook @goldfishdanvers.
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This post is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School, Danvers but all opinions present are my own.