There are a number of swimming instruction services in the Charlotte area and having used others we…read moreprefer the Charlotte Swim Academy. Classes are one-on-one with children from 18 months on up learning to swim, dive, float and overall learn how to be safe and survive in water. The instructors are almost all young ladies who stay in the water with your child, taking through their paces. A very sweet bunch, all neatly groomed and personable. Our grandchildren LOVE their instructors and the instructors reciprocate. Instructors pride themselves as family extensions helping in this one particular area of leaning. There are changing rooms with showers and toilets and from there you hand off your child to their instructor for a 30 minute session. Then you and any other people with you go into an observation room where you can watch through the glass wall. When the session is over you reverse the process, picking up your child, showering, re-dressing and leaving. There is also a "toy room" with books, blocks and other child safe materials for self-entertainment while they are waiting. Very clean, efficient, friendly and professional operation. You will leave each time with a slightly damp, but happy child.

I cannot say enough positive things about Charlotte swim academy. My son literally would not leave…read morethe stairs of the pool this summer. Within 5 private lessons, he is swimming on his own and floating on his own as well. He goes under water and has gained so much confidence. I honestly cannot believe this is the same child from this past summer. His instructor is so patient and kind with him. We drive over 40 minutes for his weekly lesson and it is worth every minute and penny!!

We are incredibly grateful for this swimming school and the impact they've had on our family. My 2…read moreoldest sons not only learned how to swim, but they also gained so much confidence and comfort in the water thanks to the patience, encouragement, and dedication of the instructors. My third and youngest has autism and he is currently enrolled in a private class and I can see the difference in his behavior, ability to listen to instructions and communicate with his instructor. One of the many reasons that makes this place truly special is their heart for inclusion. Their involvement in the autism community and commitment to creating welcoming spaces for children with disabilities is something so meaningful and needed. Every child is treated with kindness, respect, and understanding, and you can genuinely feel the care they put into helping each swimmer succeed at their own pace. The environment is supportive, safe, and empowering for both kids and parents. Watching my children grow in confidence and enjoy swimming without fear has been such a blessing. I highly recommend this place to any family looking for a place where children are not only taught important skills, but are also truly seen, encouraged, and celebrated.

Love taking my son to Charlotte Aquatics. All the coaches and staff are super nice and helpful. My…read moreson started at 4 months and is already comfortable with the water! They prioritize water safety every week and make sure the kids are safe

We started with little otter when my son was only 11 months old. We took a break during Covid. Now…read morewe have been attending lessons for the past year and a half. Miss Greta is my son's instructor, she is amazing. She is very patient with my son. She is very encouraging with him And he looks forward to seeing her every week! His skills have improved, he went from being afraid of the water to now swimming under the water, using goggles, holding his breath very well, having very good technique, swimming with his arms and kicking with his feet. we have enjoyed little otter thus far and we superduper love Miss Greta!!! Andra

We started each of our two children with lessons here beginning they were 6 months old. Our…read more2-year-old can swim very short distances independently and looks forward to swimming every single week! We love Miss Maddie and all of the staff. The process to schedule makeup classes when you have to miss a class is super simple. The app has great functionality and they are always helpful at the front desk or over the phone.

I didn't know what to expect from the folks at Open Water Adventures, to be honest. When you go…read moreinto a dive shop, you can get anywhere from seasoned expert to hobbyist trying to make a quick buck. Open Water Adventures in Charlotte is definitely the former. Joe, who I'm learning now is the owner, gave me his cell number so we could stay in contact about my upcoming trip to the Galapagos Islands--a destination he's visited six times, if memory serves. He wants to put me in touch with his contacts there for tours, lodging, the works. That's the kind of out-of-the-ordinary service I wouldn't have expected but received anyway. Honestly, everyone in the place was outstanding. I made my appointment and paid with Marcela, did paperwork with Meghan, and trained with Anthony (Li'l Momoa) for my diving refresher course. Things were a little harried at first, but I didn't think I'd be able to finish this course in a couple of hours, so I cleared my schedule. As usual, it's a question of expectation vs. delivery. I think the quality of equipment, expertise, and instruction are well worth the time spent making sure ducks were in a row and all was prepared exactly right. Safety comes first--diving is a fun time, but it carries its share of dangers. Learning how to avoid them isn't something I'd prefer rushed. I want to know it all very well before I go giant striding into open water. Diving isn't a cheap pastime. But it's one that will be incredibly rewarding if preparation and equipment are in order. And I feel as though Open Water Adventures knows that and puts it into practice.

Did a refresher course with Dillon and this Dive Shop is FANTASTIC! They really do make the effort…read moreto go the extra mile - and Dillon gave a GREAT refresher for me (out of water 16 years) and was incredibly patient, never rushed and focused immensely on safety. I'd return here for any dive needs in a heartbeat. Clean shop, heated pool, all staff was professional & friendly!

Instructors had their hands on my children so much during the lessons -picking up a child under…read morearmpits to move them from one foot to the other in the water when they could already swim, helping with form more than necessary, and just generally touchy enough that my young children felt uncomfortable in the water. I did address this with staff and when instructors would switch, it would happen again even more so than before. Very young children need this guiding but older elementary school kids self conscious of their bodies don't want hands on them the whole lesson-especially by a young male. I also felt they really didn't progress to the level they needed in a timely manner. I found the staff extremely defensive of feedback from parents. I don't care that you believe in your program. If a child is uncomfortable that speaks volumes.

My son has bounced around from place to place until now. Swim Mac is incredible. Your child will…read morereally learn the appropriate technique of swimming the right way. The staff is impressive, always "on deck" watching, coaching, suggesting. My child has improved every lesson- it's incredible. Low ratio of instructors to kids, safe, clean and you might see some Olympians!!

Big Blue Swim School is an outstanding swim school!! my nephew is 3 and his instructor Amy is so…read morepatient with him and every exercise they do. Amy also encourages the kids the entire time and she makes them feel comfortable in the water. Ryker looks forward to his swim lesson every week and I see improvement each week..BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL IS TOP NOTCH!!! if you are looking for a swim school for your little..Big Blue is the place !! Thank You Big Blue and Amy for making my sweet boy more confident in the water

From the owner: Big Blue Swim School’s mission is to show kids they can do anything by unlocking their full…read morepotential in the water. We teach year-round weekly swim lessons to kids ages 3 months to 12 years old. With no contracts or registration fees, families can start and stop swim lessons at any time. Our swim instructors teach full-time, giving kids the consistency needed to build trust with their teacher! Our flexible schedule, 90-degree water, ultra-clean pools, and spacious viewing area make for a stress-free, family-friendly experience. Parents can track swim progress in the Parent Portal. Whether you are looking for safety around water, an after-school activity, or swim team prep, our program is the ideal learn-to-swim experience for every child. When you walk into our swim school, you’ll notice that our facility is spacious and family-friendly, offering multiple changing rooms and showers so you never have to wait. The pool viewing area is equipped with Wi-Fi and comfortable chairs for parents to sit back and relax during lessons, as well as kids' activities such as coloring and train stations. Our 90-degree pools make swimming lessons stress-free for kids and parents as kids learn to swim without chattering teeth. Every class has a small student-to-teacher ratio to ensure that kids get the attention they need to make fast progress in their swim skills.

There seems to be no order in which they teach skills. There should be a progression as the student…read moregains confidence with the teacher but during the second lesson she just submerged my child. Also, the young teacher didn't interact with the students or even seem to enjoy them. To top it all off they put my credit card on auto renewal without my knowledge, after only two lessons!

This swim school has been amazing for us! We started out at the YMCA but they kept putting her on…read moreflotation devices which didn't really give our daughter a sense of being able to swim on her own. Once Goldfish opened up we quickly jumped on board. The instructors are great, Jaime is a wonderful leader (and sometimes dabbles in instruction herself), the facility is clean and the staff are friendly. I've read complaints about students not being moved up as quickly as parents would like. We appreciated the timing of it all. We never felt she was rushed to the next level without being ready for it. The communication about this was also on point. We knew where her progress was at the end of each lesson. She was earning those ribbons! It has been such a great experience we are continuously referring families to join and once they do, they love it just as much as us.

I attend the British swim school & had been frequenting the south Charlotte location until a month…read moreago. The current location at Sleep Inn is not the fanciest or best location (especially compared to Ballantyne) but the hotel is under construction. While the view entering can be an eye sore that is out of the school & staffs control. The staff and team are very knowledgeable at BSS. They are patient & are willing to work on areas you struggle with as long as you need. & take it from me I struggle sometimes lol. It's actually nice to not feel rushed about learning concepts & not having to be in larger classes They have made my fear of water (swimming) subside and I feel more comfortable in this element. I can actually swim now!!! Worth it! For sure. Great for kids and adults. One trainer per student so the experience is every personable!!

From the owner: British Swim School offers swimming lessons for kids and adults of all ages, starting as early as 3…read moremonths. Located inside of Sleep Inn, our swim school is open year-round, so you can learn to swim when you're ready and continue until you've mastered the skills. We use gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help swimmers of all levels become safer and more confident in the water. Our safe, fun, and effective teaching methods have made us the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Our confidence-building curriculum and small group swimming classes provide a consistent format and structure with one-on-one attention for each swimmer. Private swimming lessons are subject to availability.

Very friendly instructors and staff. Accommodative. James, Alex, and all the other coordinators are…read moregreat to work with. My kids had no prior swimming experience, and they loved it. The only negative thing about this particular place is it is shared. It is inside the LA Fitness.

From the owner: British Swim School offers year-round swim lessons and water safety lessons for infants, kids, and…read moreadults, with learn to swim programs starting as early as 3 months. Located inside LA Fitness - Ballantyne, we welcome both gym members and non-members to enjoy a convenient, indoor setting where swimmers build real water safety skills through our gentle, survival-first teaching approach. For more than 45 years, families have trusted our proven curriculum, small group swim lessons, and supportive instructors to help swimmers grow in confidence at every age and ability level. Private swim lessons are available at select locations. Start building lifelong water confidence today.

I recently moved from Denver, CO and joined Charlotte Athletic Club primarily for the location and…read morewalkability to Uptown. From signup through cancellation, the experience was consistently poor. The signup process was unnecessarily difficult. You cannot sign up online or over the phone and must come in person. I arrived during hours I was told a manager would be present, only to find they had left early, requiring an additional visit to complete enrollment. The gym charges $150 per month per person, with additional costs for lockers, an extra month (extra $150) due on signup, and a facility improvement fee every six months. Despite the price, there is no coat rack or place to store even a jacket. Communication is "you must pay an extra amount for lockers each month" even though lockers are framed as an optional amenity. Charging for lockers in the first place is grubby. Every gym I've attended in the past includes them for free. Pool access is advertised. The pool is actually pool access passes included in membership to the Omni Hotel pool, we were told it was to be opened fall 2025, it has remained closed. This was communicated after signup. The equipment itself is fine, but there is no water bottle refill station, and the water available specifically says "don't fill your water bottle up". It's a gym. Who wants to use a small paper open top cup when working out. Bathrooms are often not clean. If you're coming in in the afternoon for workouts, the gym maintenance and cleaning happens then, so expect some vacuuming and hammering happening most days. But my primary issue is the staff experience relative to the price point. Front desk staff are often disengaged. A trainer instructed us to re rack weights that we didn't use. When we told him they were there before we used the machine he communicated "clean them up anyways". I rack weights when done using them. For $150 a month, if another gym member leaves weights behind, and this is noticed by the staff, I'd expect gym staff to care for the cleanup of other members weights left behind. And especially the first time, just unnecessarily hostile and unfriendly. There are many more similar interactions like this with staff. After I canceled my membership and requested my wife's remain active, a manager approached her requesting credit card information, the implication being "don't forget to pay" in a way that felt inappropriate. This is acceptable at a lower priced gym. Again, it's not what I expect at this price point. This is a premium priced gym with a good location and adequate equipment, but the service level does not match. I'm switching to another gym in the area.

Curious as to why there's a lack of transparency on the membership rates not posted in the website…read more Instead they want you to fill out a contact form.... And what about advertising "all classes included" however all of these indicate again, the lack of transparency that these class descriptions in RED are not... And it looks like the website is back online.