My daughter was a student and yes, they are tough, but it WORKS! If you are a whiny little b*tch this is not the place for you or your kids. If you realize that learning to swim takes confidence and courage send your child here. read more

My daughter started going here 3 years ago. I had a hard time with their way of teaching but my daughter is a great swimmer and they were very accommodating. They are very good instructors and yes they are tough but it works and the kids listen. I do recommend this place. read more

BAD! Jenn was inconsiderate and treated me unimportantly and rushed. I called at the end of March and she told me to call on April 30 for an evaluation appointment, and the session would start May 23. So after waiting for more than one month she gave me May 10 as a date for the evaluation appointment. Today is May 9 and she just called me to cancel that appointment, telling me that there's no room for my children! This lady made me lose one month and half of time! instead of finding another place to make sure my children would start those classes, only one day before with a great calm she just told me to call again on June 4 to make another evaluation appointment (surely to cancel me again) read more

My kids are about 1/2 way through their 8 week session with Bob and Laurie at Pied Piper. This is a family owned/operated school and as a parent who had swimming lessons when I was a young girl, I can say I fully appreciate all they do. They use such a smart approach with the kids, making sure they do a variety of different activities in each 1/2 hour session and even going short distances (assisted by the instructor when needed) with no kickboard or float belts from the very first session! Each lesson, these challenges are extended to build skill and confidence without the anxiety of a kid being forced to perform a drill they have never had to do before. Most of all, these instructors are firm without being negative with the children in a way that gets results, maintains focus and doesn't hold up the rest of the class. Kids who cried and resisted the pool during the first few classes are now jumping in with smiles and most of all, they are learning to SWIM, to backstroke, to deal with obstacles in the water, to get out of the pool unassisted and more. Great school. Worth every cent! read more

Hands down best swim class my kids have been in!! No reason for these low reviews. I have three children and have done three different swim schools. The owners are there to teach our children and thats what they do. I have been in conversations at other kid activities and have heard parents say "I heard they are not the friendliest and have put kids in time out". Well I do not need to be best friends with my kids swim instructor and if my kids are not listening please do discipline. They are teaching a life saving skill and the difference in my children's swimming ability is amazing since we signed up. If you want your kids to swim go here!! read more

They are tough but that is what the kids need to learn!! As moms and dads, we want to baby the kids and that is not what they need!! They need to learn to swim to make sure they dont drown one day. My sons first day I couldn't go into the water with my 7 month old son, I wanted to snap, my husband is a lot more easy going. All I was thinking was "but he is a baby..... but he is a baby"..... well we did about 6 eight week sessions back to back... and by the time my son was a year and 2 months he was swimming about 3 feet on his own. Since the fall and super storm sandy we havent gone back, but I am calling today to make our reservation..... PS were living in KEARNY now, and will drive the HOUR trip 2 days a week. Wish the class could be longer and once a week. read more

The mother was very unprofessional from the start. I explain my sons fear of water...and she was out right nasty even rolling her eyes at him when he had only been in a pool twice in his life both at her school! Then she asks me to wait outside like another mother does and I watched her even nastier with that young girl to the point of pulling her out of the pool by her arm...because the mother wasn't watching...when I told her she needed more patience with my son and that she didn't need to roll her eyes she told me I was lying! Why would I lie ?! I was there for my child to learn. I didn't interfere even when she was nasty he was hyperventilating and they still put him in the pool with other kids that kicked and splashed by him...he's afraid of water and hates it in his face which they were told numerous times! She's a nasty person and if your child has a fear of water I wouldn't go there. With that said the Father and daughter were very nice and were the only reason I took him to more then one class. They don't go in the pool with the children except toddlers and stand at the side then complain when the kids grab for them and pull at them! Your there teachers! Their scared!! If you can't deal with them then don't go clean the pool or something!!! Horrible... Oh and they won't refund even part of my money ...but I'll eat the money I lost. And will never send anyone there I know disgusting !!!!!! One star cause I couldn't post other wise they'd get none!!! read more

Terrible experience. We brought our 2.5 year old for swim lessons (parent and child class). The instructors are so rough with the kids (physically), they talk down to everyone, there are no smiles or praise, and most kids spend the entire class crying. Don't waste your money here, i wish we hadn't. read more

i don't even want to give this place one star it is so horrible lets first talk about the lack of space to sit either you have to get to the school early or you have to sit on the floor that is usually wet! next i will bring up how her granddaughter is always in the pool swimming getting in the way of everyone that is in the pool with no regard for anyone and they don't tell he to get out of the way it's called a babysitter get one! my last bit i will write is by far the worst part its the teacher/owners personality she should not be around kids she clearly has never gotten any sort or child training she is horrible! she does not know how to talk to them shes mean and most of the time she to worried talking to the parents then teaching her class. my son took her class and he loves to swim hates her one time he tried to talk to her she ignored him and from then on he was miserable because he knew she didn't like him. she takes out her bad mood on the kids i have seen it myself that she will toss the kids in the pool she once called my son ridiculous for having a bad day she said it to his father. the # worth thing that has happened is that she told my son who is 2 and a half to shut up i pay you alot of money and you tell my son to shut up no freaking way! so i would urge you to find another swim school to take your child unless you want this horrible lady to teach them...... read more

I called two weeks before registration date to confirm the day of registration. It turned out to be on a Saturday, I explained that due to my religious beliefs I don't use the phone on Saturday due to Shabbat. I asked if I can call Friday afternoon to secure a spot for a mid-week class vs a Friday or Saturday class. I was very rudely told no and to call on Monday. But if I called on Monday, I wouldn't get a good spot. So I tried my luck, was told its a possibility. It came the day of my evaluation and the pool was closed due to severe weather, I called to re-schedule, got a call the day before to confirm, and they let me know since " I "missed" our evaluation" all the mid-week classes were taken already. Fine ok, so let's try for next month's session, can we do registration before Saturday this time so I'm not stuck with a weekend class? I was told very rudely, that they won't bend the rules for me, and if it doesn't work then basically tough luck. I was so off-put, really I'm being very reasonable, everyone there was nasty to me on the phone. As a business owner, I always go over and beyond for my clients. Just quite a shame! read more

I am very disappointed with this business. I was a previous customer who went here when my children were younger. We left for a variety of reasons -cost, scheduling, and lack of enthusiasm from my children. I decided to try them again when my daughter asked to start swimming as a sport. Before we put her on team, we figured she should get formailized training with strokes and breathing. So we setup a evaluation, unfortunately my daughter was sick (high fevers so we had to cancel). We didn't realize that meant that she would have to wait for entire 6weeks to be evaluated again. When we called to reschedule the evaluation, Mrs. Lori said that the class was full. -tough luck basically for my daughter - they gave the spot to another student. I just don't understand what type of example that sets for my 9yearold. I told her it was best to stay home and not get everyone sick. Isn't this what we want to teach our children!! But now she missed an opportunity she was so excited about! I tried to speak Mrs. Lori and explain that this not the way you treat costumers but she told me it was my fault my daughter wasn't in the class. I just don't understand how she doesn't have any empathy for the situation or a little girl. I understand that it's a business and she needs to fill class but this class doesn't start for another 10days. She said she had kids on a waitlist, so why couldn't she let my daughter have a chance to be evaluated before they called the next student. (It was only 2days later!!) Ridiculous! I told her this is a bad way to do business-she told me I was wrong!!! read more

Spoke with Robert about signing up my child and he was very RUDE on the phone.Because this his own business he thinks he can speak in any matter. Explained to him I had to take off work(and lose money) and spent about $10.00 in fuel to sign up on April 21st.It was cancelled due to death in family which I completely understand.When I called him I asked him was it alright to send a check and fax form so I wouldn't have to take off from work this Saturday and another $10.00 fuel charge.Things are tight in everyones household and every bit of savings help.He sternly and rudely told me this wasn't the place for my child.So deny a child a swimming class so she doesn't drown because I asked him to mail check and form.BAD BUSINESS. read more

Laurie lacks any kind of people skills. Your kids will learn to swim, but you, even as a paying customer, will be treated like TRASH. She yells at the kids, never smiles, and has zero customer service skills if there is ever an issue - and- even with only a handful of employees- there was incorrect info given out which blew up in our faces. NEVER AGAIN. Be warned, this place is NOT WORTH IT- try Toms River Fitness on Rt 37 for swim lessons. read more

I have a 6 year old who has struggled with some anxiety and fear issues . At times its so severe that it takes a long time to snap her out of whatever is making her anxiety be so exasperated. She will have crying fits until finally she snaps out of it. As a parent of four children this is very exhausting and emotionally draining. I decided that giving her swim lessons would help address these fears. Well our first class was horrible . She never wanted to come back. The second class she absolutely refused to go because she was paralyzed by the idea of water getting in her eyes...i wasnt going to force her into doing something that was so painful and dreadful. Two days later the owner called me and my daughter asking "Why didnt u show up for class"? It really helped my daughter realize she had to take responsibility for something she started and needed to finish the task. Also the owner discussed ways of overcoming her fears. I was so impressed that she didnt let us just walk away.Rather she was persistent in helping our daughter to become a confident swimmer. I can proudly say she is becoming that girl. 5 weeks of lessons and she is swimming wo a belt and is learning to tread in the deep end!!! Never would have happened if i didnt take her to Pied Piper. Ms. Laurie is very tough and can come across as an intense coach however i have learned some good lessons from her in the short time attending this school . I also can sense her passion to create a firm yet loving environment for the kids to learn. read more