Take Me To The Water – Upper West Side

I tried really hard to sign up for lessons this summer but it was so hard to reach someone on the phone — and then when I finally got someone, the total inflexibility of how the classes are structured prevented me from doing so. We are traveling and I was not able to do all the dates in a term. I asked if I could start one week late, or if I could get alternate times for just one week. The answer to everything was no. I was told a manager would call to follow-​up with me to discuss options. No call was ever received. They are conveniently located for me which is why I have used them in the past (the actual lessons were fine) but their total lack of value for loyal customers makes me have no interest in going there again. There are lots of other options!

Our 8 year old has taken lessons with them for years and looks forward to going every week. While the pool can be a bit crowded, the instructor engaged with my son and he is currently enjoying any swim time he gets this summer. The average ratio was 2 students to one teacher … sometimes 3 but I never got a sense that their attention was spread too thin.
On a side note, there have been occasions that the pool at The Montana (where the classes are held) has been closed for emergency cleanings — not only were these not the fault of the swim school… they were always very communicative and open to make ups or double lessons in the same day for convenience.
Our son will be back in the pool with Take Me To The Water again soon and I know he’ll enjoy it.

Good lessons, responsive staff. My son is 3.5 and he looks forward to his lessons every week. I wish it was cheaper, but who doesn’t want great stuff for less money?

My daughter is 7 years old. She has been taking lessons since September 2014.
These were her first swim lessons and she has made a lot of progress. She is looking forward to going to her lesson each week.
For a while ratio was 2 kids for 1 teacher but recently a new kid was added so 3 to 1.
TMTTW will send communications ahead of the 10 weeks session with details, and follow-​up emails for re-​registering.
Overall very happy with this provider.

I have to also admit that I’ve had a very poor experience with them as well, not with regard to actual lessons, but to get them to honor a pool party which I purchased for quite a bit of money! I purchased the party in May and when I tried to have a party over the summer, they told me that the party room was closing for a renovation! I was told that the renovations should be done by fall. It has now been a year and I am out several hundred dollars and no pool party! Why would they offer up a pool party in May if the place is being closed down?!?
I’m quite leary of this operation and I would look elsewhere for swim lessons/​parties/​services. Caveat emptor!

Beware of this place! I called to reschedule a class for my son who has high fever. The lady I spoke with was extremely rude and tells me that they only schedule make up lessons within a semester (which ends within 4 days). I told her that is not what I was told when I enrolled and it is unlikely my son will recover to swim within 4 days since he has high fever. She is very rude in response and is not willing to listen. When I ask her for her name, she tells me her name is «Mary» and disconnects the line. I called back and was told that I had actually spoken with Caroline Lusardi as there is no Mary who works here! I then asked to be connected to a supervisor. The guy comes on the line and says «Look, we are very busy here and we do not have the time to address questions!»
For $ 50 per 30 minute class, try and look for something better. This place sucks.

Just a warning for parents out there — this is a poorly run and operated business. $ 400 for 10 lessons and my son not only can’t swim but has gone backwards. The swim lesson is 30 minutes of chaos and there is little or no communication between the instructors and parents. The guy who runs the place is seriously rude. When I have tried to talk to them about my concerns and see what can be done to help get my son swimming, they suggested that we look at this when I sign up for the summer — like I am going to blow another $ 400! They opened late on at least three of the ten sessions with no apology and did not make up the class time. You do not know who will be swimming with you child from one week to the next so there is a lot of variability with the kids and their ability — this makes it hard for the swim teacher to focus in any way.
I am not a complainer but think parents should know what you are signing up for — buyer beware. This swim school seems to only be interested in making money not teaching kids how to swim.