We started swim classes in September of last year, but over the first several months there was…read moreminimal progress. Our child is particularly sensitive and anxious in the water, and likely needed a more tailored, confidence-based approach. We made an effort to encourage her to push through and stay consistent with the program. However, during that time her discomfort increased, and she became more resistant to participating in lessons--to the point where we were close to discontinuing classes altogether. We later had two or three makeup sessions with Stephanie, during which we observed clear and immediate improvement. After switching our regular schedule to a more suitable day for us and having Stephanie as the permanent instructor, the progress accelerated significantly. In less than a month, our child became noticeably more comfortable in the water. She no longer shows the same level of fear. This is not a reflection on the previous instructor's ability, but rather a difference in fit and teaching approach. The connection and method used by Stephanie have proven to be more effective for our child's needs. There was a recent comment from staff noting that our child does not meet Level 3 criteria. While we understand that evaluations follow established standards, our primary goal is water safety, confidence, and functional swimming ability. From that perspective, the progress made in the past month is substantial and meaningful, especially compared to the prior seven months, and it's largely thanks to Stephanie. Overall, we value the measurable improvement in our child's comfort and capability in the water.

We're so grateful for Instructor Stephanie! She is so patient with my son and made every lesson…read morefun and encouraging. Even with just 1x/week lessons, she helped him gain confidence in the water and become water safe so quickly. Highly recommend Stephanie to any parent looking for a skilled, encouraging, and kind swim teacher!

We had a positive experience with Blake Swim School. The instructors were patient, encouraging, and…read moredid a good job helping my child build confidence in the water. The lessons are structured and safety-focused, and we saw steady improvement in swimming skills after a few weeks. The staff was friendly and scheduling was generally convenient.

We started here in January and my girls have tried all the instructors at the Monrovia location,…read moreand I can say in confidence that the male instructors here on Thursdays are so amazing. You can pay extra to stick with one, but my girls love them all! The pool is indoors, warm, and the instructors are super patient. They know how to push the kids to improve, yet still be kind at the same time. We took a few classes at Waterworks before and they couldn't swim independently whatsoever. However, after just 3 classes here, my girls are swimming with such confidence! Biggest, biggest downside (for the 1 star down) is the admin side. The main girl in the front is so disorganized. We were told we could use one account for both kids (not true), and scheduling gets mixed up. Had to go back and forth to get even one make-up class because we were not informed to download their app. I had the biggest headache communicating with her by phone and text. Nevertheless, still highly recommend for beginners... just make sure to download their app and stay on top of your account!

Grace is awesome!! She gave my 7 & 5 yr old private lessons summer of 2016. Prior to Grace, our…read moredaughters had years of lesson at Waterworks Irvine. We must have spent $1000+ but it did not work. 5yr old spent her lessons screaming and crying. It got very stressful and traumatic for ME! We also kept switching teachers at Waterworks...some were just not as good with kids. I've come to conclusion that places like Waterworks has a business model to keep you paying for lessons not necessarily getting your kids watersafe. Then we heard about Grace on the Irvine Mom Facebook board. I told her @ my 5 yr old. Immediately she CUSTOMIZED her teaching method and brought in toys. She is always smiling and calm with my daughters. And this is key with my 5 yr old who hated the pool. Grace also ask parents what the focus should be- swim safe or technique. Net net in just 2 months of private lessons- both girls love and ask to go to the pool. My 7 yr old can swim around by herself and my 5 yr old is no longer afraid. Plus Grace is super responsive with text & email, flexible with schedule changes. Other places are not. Only downside is I wish Grace had more Irvine hours. She splits her time her and San Gabriel Valley. I will definitely resume lessons with her the coming Spring.

Fantastic swim teacher. She's patient and gives good feedback. A few lessons go a long way. I saw…read moreimprovement after just 1 lesson! Highly recommend. Book early - she gets booked up fast!

My child takes recurring lessons with Janness. She has been wonderful at getting children…read morecomfortable in the water. Less than a year ago, my daughter hated putting her face in the water. Now, she loves being in the pool and has learned so much. Janness is patient and makes the lessons fun. We've also had good experiences with Zachary and David when we've had to schedule make-up classes.

David is a very Good swim instructor to i like how Patient he is with my child and he is very…read morepolite to

Absolutely love this place Swimming Instructor Ms. Ashley…read moreZ. Is without a doubt the best! She has helped my special needs child in every aspect and adapts to her needs. Ms. Ashley Z is kind, understanding and very nurturing. Hats off to her and the work she does! My daughter has made so much progress not just in swimming but in her behaviors thanks to Ms. Ashley Z's devotion and dedication. Thank you, Ms. Ashley Z

My two daughters started swim lessons with Dexter with very little experience and a lot of…read morenervousness around the water. Since working with her, their confidence has grown tremendously.. not only in the pool, but outside of it as well! Dexter has such a gentle, patient, and encouraging teaching style that immediately made my girls feel safe and comfortable. What once felt intimidating to them has become something they genuinely look forward to each week. Their skills have improved so much, but even more importantly, their love for swimming has blossomed! We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Dexter has had on both of our daughters. She has created a supportive environment where they feel confident, capable, and excited to learn. I highly recommend Dexter to any parent looking for a kind, knowledgeable, and wonderful swim instructor!

NOTE: This review is based on an adult taking lessons…read more TL;DR: After struggling to learn how to swim for years, I finally took private lessons at Waterworks in Alhambra with Jesse--and it was the best decision I could have made. The sign-up process was smooth, the instruction was patient and professional, and the progress was real. I went from barely floating to confidently swimming all four strokes. Highly recommend for any adult who wants to finally make a splash and conquer their fear of the water. -- For years, I tried to learn how to swim (four different times plus a friend's attempt to teach me) but nothing stuck. I never had the chance to learn when I was young, and I knew it was an important life skill to have (just in case). After another group lesson didn't work out, I decided to take the plunge and invest in private lessons. They're more expensive, but after multiple failed group attempts, I realized they were worth it. After researching several schools, I chose Waterworks in Alhambra. Reading through instructor bios, I felt Jesse would be the best fit for me. And wow, that choice made a splash! Signing up was quick and straightforward. I started with a group package just to test the waters, and I appreciated the option to add more classes later. Scheduling a recurring time slot with Jesse was simple, and even when my first package was about to expire, the customer service team helped me renew seamlessly without losing my spot. Attending class was smooth sailing too. Since I already had an LA Fitness membership, I could skip front-desk check-in and head straight to the pool. After 18 months of working with Jesse, I can confidently say every penny and minute was worth it. From my first lesson, when I only knew how to front float and was still uneasy in the water, to now being able to swim all four strokes at an intermediate level, float comfortably on my back, and even attempt flip turns, the progress has been incredible. Jesse's patience and clear guidance made all the difference. He always took time to explain techniques, offer visuals, and ensure I truly understood each movement. Writing this during my final week of lessons feels bittersweet--I'm sad to stop, but thrilled to know I can now keep making waves on my own. Here are a few takeaways from my private lesson experience: - Set realistic expectations. You won't learn everything in one class. Swimming takes time and consistency, especially if you're just getting comfortable in the water. - Practice makes progress. On non-lesson days, I made it a point to practice. Jesse often checked in to see how I was doing and encouraged me to keep up the routine. He even mentioned that my progress stood out because of my consistency. - Arrive early. Lessons are only 20 minutes, so warming up and stretching beforehand helps maximize that time and prevent injuries. - Follow LA Fitness rules. Take a quick shower before entering the pool. Pop-up changing rooms are available if needed. - Dress comfortably. I wore a rash guard and swim cap for modesty and convenience, especially since many other swimmers were kids. Thank you, Waterworks, and thank you, Jesse, for helping me dive into swimming with confidence. This experience has given me a lifelong skill, and I'm proud to say I finally made some serious waves!

My son started swimming 2 months ago with no experience and being 3 years old. His instructor Dulce…read morehas been such a kind detailed and sweet makes the class fun even a 3 year old can follow rules, so much progress and so little time due to the fact that the teachers really dedicate themselves to teach them

My kids have been attending swimming classes at this location for the past few months. We've had…read moresuch a great experience! Alex and Jade are amazing -- super patient, encouraging, and great with kids. They make lessons fun while still helping my kids build confidence and skills in the water. Highly recommend!

I was looking for private adult swimming lessons and contacted Swimphi through the contact form on…read moretheir website. I got a call back within a day and was able to schedule lessons that same week, which I really appreciated! I love how they have all the information clearly laid out on the website so I know what to expect when I get there (even directions with pictures on how to get from parking lot to the pool, which was super neat)! I'm pretty much a beginner when it comes to swimming but my coach made sure I felt comfortable and safe in the water. My coach brought all the equipment needed for the lesson so it's super hassle-free. I was initially intimidated by the deeper end of the pool but my coach has always been very patient and encouraging and stayed right next to me the whole time to make sure I'm safe. I mentioned I was preparing for an upcoming trip since it will involve a lot of water activities and my coach really catered the lessons to my needs. I genuinely appreciate how patient my coach is, if I don't get a particular technique right away, we would try different variations and my coach would always remind me of the key points to remember. In the Pasadena location, it's an indoor pool that's heated and there are changing rooms available. Onsite parking in the lot is another plus! Highly recommend Swimphi to anyone looking for adult (or kids) swimming lessons in Pasadena!