If you or your child has a fear of water, I can not recommend Orca Swim enough! As an adult, I was one of those people who wouldn't even put their face in the water and now I can confidently hang out in the deep end and even go snorkeling in open water, something I wouldn't have considered a couple years ago. Yes, the classes are more expensive than most courses, but you spend a lot of time in the water with each class and you get individual attention with the small class sizes. Not to mention that being in a class with other students who were as petrified as I was made me feel like I wasn't alone. You also get a nice warm pool so you don't have to worry about staying warm and can just have fun. These courses are for true beginning students. Instead of focusing on strokes, they focus on being comfortable in the water no matter what you are doing. I tried several classes around the area before these and the instructors would dive right into teaching us the strokes and only had 30 minute class times. That's fine if you swam as a child and want a refresher, but didn't work for me as someone who had avoided water all of my life. Orca Swim classes were completely worth the money! I have no regrets and have since taken additional classes here or just gone back to enjoy the warm pool. As a note: This is one of two locations in the area -- the other is in Seattle. I've been to both and would recommend you use whichever one works with your schedule and your commute. I believe they also teach classes at other locations around the Sound, so go to their website for more info. read more

We went to our sons first swim lesson with Orca. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the facility and how it is marketed on the website. I felt with a nice website, a private swim school, and higher prices, the facility would match what is offered. I cant believe how unprofessional and how a business is legally operated out of that place. "This is a private indoor pool with many outdoor features like beautiful plants that surround the deck. The pool has both shallow and deep water, it also features a small hot tub. The water temperature in the pool is a consistent 90 degrees. Our classes are exclusive to this pool." Pros: 1) Importantly, the teacher was amazing with kids Cons: 1) The facility/pool looked horrendous. The floors around the pool, the bathrooms were filthy. The random chairs, some dirty , some clean, lack thereof etc... 2) Hot tub? it looked like a hot mess with junk toys and leaves at the bottom of it. 3) Parking situation is a nightmare. Check out the facility before signing up! read more

I came to this school at 43 years old having almost drown 3 times as a youth. I was completely amazed and astounded at how effective their teaching method is and how they helped me learn to not only get over my fear of water, but enjoy it too!!! It doesn't matter what level you are in swimming, they will give you what you always needed. Time in the water to relax, amazingly intuitive instructors and a no pressure atmosphere where you are free to learn how to swim! I really can't say enough about this swim school. From the moment I spoke with their amazing administrator on the phone to my last day of my 4 day vacation adult swim lesson, my experience was all positive! If they can teach me how to swim and show me it was always inside me just waiting there... they can teach anyone! I recommend anyone to this school and method of teaching. A+++ read more

Let me start by saying what fantastic teachers work at this location. Calvin has been my 4 year old's teacher for 6 months. The class sizes are made small, and the teachers help the children learn at their individual paces. The school works very hard to find a time that works best with your schedule, and that remains your spot until you wish a change it. The price is also reasonable. The reason I took a star away is the state of the facility, which really should be renovated, and it would be nice for them to accept credit card payment,but that second one is a small inconvenience. I absolutely recommend this school. UPDATE: unfortunately, Calvin, the teacher we I loved so much, has moved on, and his replacement, while good, just doesn't seem to engage as well with the kids, nor does she remind them about basic rescue techniques when they start to struggle or get tired away from the edge of the pool. read more

I highly recommend Orca and the Miracle Swimming for Adults method they teach. Wife and I had never been in the water , we joined the 4 day memorial day weekend program at their Bothell pool. We were extremely nervous but the entire program is centered around learning small things , getting comfortable with that and then use those in combination to perform more complex maneuvers. Instructors and Spotters and always watching out for you that made me feel really safe while trying things I was initially worried about. I was astonished at progress our entire group made in 4 days. I'm comfortable and confident going in the pool independely and ready to learn more advance skills like strokes and swimming at a beach. I would like to add that review about condition of Bothell facility is outdated. It is well maintained and I've seen Collin and Cori paying attention to keep even minute details in order. read more

I just finished class this past wkend and I'm very happy and proud of the outcome. The instructors are kind, caring, patient and truly passionate and devoted to teaching people to swim. The philosophy of miracle swimming dispels many myths and stereotypes many are engrained with. Rather, being aware of oneself and their body in the water is a critical first step! It took me a few years to finally synch my life to devote the right mental state and time for the 2 wkend-long course structure, but it was wholly worth it. If you're ready to finally get over fears of deep water or unlearn traumatizing past swimming experiences...check this school out. Just keep an open mind and subscribe to foundations taught you will be successful. If cost is the only thing holding you back...Do yourself a favor and make the investment- its priceless...Life is too short otherwise! That said, I'm ready and committed to staying active in the water with a new found confidence to build upon. Meanwhile, I wanted to address some of the other comments about facility state and such..(I had lessons in Bothell and I live in Bellevue) I personally found those perceptions exaggerated, pretentious, and just unkind. It never phased me that the accommodations were unkept. To me it was a calm, peaceful, environment away from the hustle and eliteness. The vibe was sanctuary-like to focus the objectives... learning to swim! Sure, it's a touch of rustic, but the place has character for those with an open mind. Moreover, it's a heated private pool in the greater Seattle area people- what more could you ask for?!! Thanks again to Cori and Colleen for a memorable 2 wkends that has changed my life. read more

I had the opportunity to take the Adult Beginner's group swimming lesson at Orca on May 2014 at their Bothell location. Let me summarize the various aspects of this course 1) Having previously attended a swimming course elsewhere and dropping out of it, I was not sure if I would ever complete the course. However the first class made all the difference. The course content and teaching style of this class is never unheard of (at least to me) - It is designed to put you to calm and find comfort in water each time when you step in to the pool. 2) Each class is 3hr long with one hr discussing the topics and experiences for each swimmer in the group. The talking part is useful as it reinforces within us every swimmer's goal is to find comfort in water and have fun! 3) In the pool, the instructor walked us through the very first baby steps - dipping your face in to water to jumping in to deep water. As a person who was always afraid of water, I can't believe how I had come so far..:-) 4) The group is only a maximum of 7 and it is designed to provide individual attention to all the swimmers. There were enough spotters while you are in the deep end of the pool. 5) I had always though of swimming as competing against water, but this course taught me how to be within yourself (1st Circle of comfort) in the water. Most importantly I learned how to have fun while swimming in the water. 6) I believe a course can be as effective as how good the instructor is. My thanks to Cori, our wonderful instructor. She is calm , patient and forgiving at our errors and always remind us to be slow and comfortable within so that swimming comes naturally as opposed to a 'competition' against water. read more

I was really excited to start swim lessons with Orca and was impressed with the kindness of their staff when I signed up. Because their service is quite expensive & marketed to be a very specific and tailored experience to help people overcome anxiety/fears related to swimming, I was really disappointed when I showed up first day for swim class. Their facilities are horrific, unclean, and certainly not conducive to making anyone feel comfortable or able to learn/ overcome anxiety. I'm not sure how they're allowed to conduct classes in this sort of environment or how people continue to support them. I immediately withdrew from the class and requested a refund. I lost $1000 in the process as they were unwilling to refund me. I highly encourage anyone considering this course to be aware that their facilities are horrific & quite honestly not commensurate with the fee they charge and won't refund to you if you show up and are unhappy with what awaits you. Please, check out the facility before you sign up! read more

Very nice swim school. Instructor for our 4 year old is very good. Pool temperature is kept at 90 nice and warm. May be they could use better online billing system. We used to take our daughter to YMCA but this place is much better for kids swimming lessons read more

After over 40 years of not having the slightest clue about swimming, I finally found Orca Swim School, and I can now proudly say that I am a swimmer! I am thankful for this excellent school and its devoted teachers. Their core principles and teaching methods are like no other. They guide you on your path to discover your inner swimmer. You'll learn to stay within your first circle, be aware of yourself and your relationship with the water, and you'll be swimming in the deep end in no time! I took the beginner and next steps from the Bothell pool and I found it to be an awesome learning environment. Great, warm, pool and a very welcoming environment. I took the strokes classes from their Seattle pool, which is also an amazing place to learn to swim. The Seattle pool is newly renovated. I am now taking the strokes 102 classes, which is basically an opportunity to keep practicing your swimming skills. For me, it has been worth every penny. I can't wait to explore all the new aquatic adventures that I had for so long avoided because I couldn't swim. If you're an adult and debating whether you it's too late to learn to swim, I encourage you to call Orca Swim School. I did it, and I'm swimming. So can you! read more