This was our first time looking into swim lessons for our children. We have an inground pool at our new home and knew it was time for the boys to learn how to swim/ about pool safety - knowing fully the dangers of having young children around water. So, we scheduled a "free consultation/assessment." The only positive thing about our experience was that the woman at the front desk was very pleasant on the phone when I called to schedule the appointment and was pleasant upon our arrival today (gave us the paperwork and told us where to change but no further direction other than someone would come get us).
My 4-year-old was dressed first. A young girl approached him and asked for him to come with her. She did not introduce herself to us or my children. Naturally, he was excited and began running ahead of her into the pool area. She yelled at him for running and said to "get back here. The teacher in me wished she would have gotten down on his level, introduced herself (to us and the kids), and laid some ground rules/explained what was going to happen, and maybe even held his hand as they walked into the pool area. We were given no direction or told what to expect (whether to stay in the waiting area or come with her). Once my two-year-old was dressed, I came out and we watched my older son in the pool with an older gentleman (whose shirt said, "Wayne" - again, never introduced himself to us). From the waiting area, we watched Wayne and the young girl working with our older son (assuming they are doing the assessment). Then, the young girl came to get our 2-year-old for his "assessment." After that, the young girl told us we could come in. My husband and I walked in and sat on the bench not sure what to expect next. Still no one introduced themselves to us. Wayne put a pool noodle float on my 2-year-old and told the boys that "Emily" (the young girl) is a lifeguard and to listen to her. Wayne then told my husband that he had been there all day and that he was going for a break. He proceeded to leave. No comment on how the boys did or who would talk to us next.
We had no idea what was happening at this point. Our boys were in the water. Emily was standing close to them. My husband and I were on the bench next to the pool. When we asked her what was going on at this point, she said there was 3-4 minutes of "open pool time" and offered no further explanation of what we should expect from the assessment/consultation. My 2-year-old was getting frustrated with the pool float and kept wanting to take it off. We continued to tell him that if he wanted to be in the pool that he had to wear it. She told him that if he stayed on the steps that he could take it off. Then, next thing we know, he jumps off the steps and submerges underwater, comes up, and then submerges again. Even though this whole incident happened in a few seconds, it felt like slow motion and it was terrifying. A mother's worse fear. Emily, the "lifeguard," leaned over and held her hand out and tells him to come to her. HE CANNOT SWIM AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. My husband, with shoes and socks on, jumps in the pool and gets him out. My son was hysterically crying after pulling him out. In my opinion, Emily should have been in that pool immediately. It should have been instinct. At this point, my husband and I were so upset. We were so frustrated and felt so confused as to what was happening from the "assessment" to "open pool" time and the lack of communication altogether. If we knew to expect "open pool time," we would have been in the pool with our children or we would have had the boys get out after the assessment - especially if we had known the lifeguard would be so negligent (unwilling to jump in the pool). After our son was submerged in the water, we got our things and left immediately. Wayne, the owner and the one who left for break after the assessment without talking to us, came back to ask what happened. My husband shared what happened and he apologized.
Our trip to AquaCulture was a disappointment to say the least and we will not be returning. We hope we just came on an "off" day. Regardless, we will not be trusting our children in their care with something that is so important to us. We want to know our children are safe as they learn to develop the skills needed to be confident in the water. Communication and trust are paramount when it comes to anyone who works with or cares for our children. Thankfully, our 2-year-old loves the water and being in the pool. However, if this had been his first time - I know this incident would have traumatized him.
In summary, here were our biggest concerns -
No introductions from any of the staff to parents or children.
No directions or expectations shared.
No summary of assessment/consultation and next steps.
Lack of professionalism.
Lifeguard not trained/negligent and did not seem natural with our children. read more
