Discussions

I am just wondering if anyone out there has had trouble with swimming lessons at the y? We have had problems with inaccurate report cards, not knowing my kids etc. Just finished another session and am dealing with all of the same problems.  
Do these swimming lessons compare to the ones at the sportsplex? Or are they better? Wondering if we would be better off going there?

I finally gave up on y lessons because they are so poor. Both of my kids wanted to do their bronze levels, but I felt the quality of the lessons was so poor it would not be worth it. My son failed star six three times due to various things he didn't complete....on his third time around I went to classes and documented what he was taught, what they focused on, etc. Funny thing is, he failed due to things they never even taught. When I brought my complaints to the head instructor we were given three free lessons one on one to improve his skills, and as I led to believe, pass him if he showed he could do it. Turned out that was not the case and he still would have to take it a fourth time.  
 
Other complaints I had was that instructors would constantly change. One session my son had three different instructors. How can a kid have any consistency when teachers never stick around long enough to learn their names? I also did not approve of the split classes, for the same reason I stated above- half the time the instructors would be trying to do two levels at once and neither level got adequate training, leading to missed skills.  
 
My bigges complaint of all is poor teaching techniques. Neither f my kids have very good strokes. They were not taught properly or corrected . I had to fix that on my own. Most of the time once they reach the star levels the intructors never even get in to the pool with them. How on earth do you correct a stroke if you never get in the pool with the kids?  
 
I'd skip the y. They need a complete revamp and restructure to be a good option for kids who want to learn proper techniques. Keep in mind, I was a lifeguard and instructor for many years so my complaints come from experience.

My son took swimming lessons at the Y and he struggled horribly to keep up with the class. I noticed that the instructor didn’t make sure the kids were paying attention to the teacher when instructions were being given. My son never failed a session once and when passed into the next level he couldn’t keep up. I talked to his instructor a few times about how I was not happy and nothing was ever done to correct the problem it seemed. So I signed him up at the Sportsplex and he REALLY struggled to keep up but the instructor there worked with him closely and made sure he paid attention and gradually my son developed the strength he needed to keep up. He also failed his level twice but he worked hard at it and finally passed! He was so proud of himself and his confidence has grown along with it! I also noticed that the swim teacher pays attention to the children in the class and if he/she sees that a student is having trouble the teacher will work with the child until the child gets the hang of things, I like that. A couple of times at the Y, my son was taken into the deep pool and ended up inhaling a bit of water and was having a very hard time getting to the edge of the pool to hold on the the edge...his teacher never even noticed my son going under and coming up gasping for air. I ran into the pool area all set to jump in and retrieve my son from the pool. The teacher said “you have outdoor footwear on” and I replied “my son is drowning go get him out of the pool!!! Or I will jump in with my outdoor gear still on!!” I removed my son from lessons immediately after this situation because I would forever worry about my son drowning during lessons! The teacher has no right to take the class into the deep pool without proper life jackets and floatation devices for the kids....who were only around 5-6 years old! Very disappointed in the Y regarding lessons. So I signed him up at the sportsplex and have been very happy with the results. The lessons are a bit pricey for my small budget, and being a member at the Y made their lessons affordable, but I will spend good money to make sure my son is taught to swim properly and safely. So if I was you I would take my child to the sportsplex. We will be there again for this round of lessons as well! I hope this little tid-bit of info was somewhat helpful for you in your decision making!

I've had the exact opposite experience of what's describe above. We currently have 3/4 of our kids in lessons at the Y (the 4th takes lessons with SwimAbility at Sportsplex), and we had issues at Sportsplex with inattentive teachers, my kid nearly drowning, etc. We've had some truly excellent instructors at the Y and my kids are doing well.  
 
I think like anything else it maybe is a case of there's a mix of good and bad, and it's hit-or-miss on who you get. We've had very good teachers consistently the past 3 or 4 years at the Y. My kids literally swim circles around me.

we've only had a positive experience with swim lessons at the y.  
 
Is it true the sportsplex doesn't have family change rooms? I can't imagine sending a 4-9year old into a change room by themselves!

What are other options for swimming classes besides the Y? Thanks for all the feedback (good/ bad)

It's true that Sportsplex only has segregated change rooms (male/female), no family room. It's a pain for taking my disabled daughter for lessons because only I can go with her instead of having my husband sometimes take her, or if we're a single adult with several of our kids because I would be hesitant to send my kids into the change room alone (although under 6 they are allowed in the opposite sex room).

Has swimming lessons & family rooms  
Very reasonable rates even if you're not a member. Might be worth the drive. I've seen the same 3 or 4 instructors over the last 2 years. Some levels are split, but there were only 4 in the group. I even had one instructor advise my son skip up over a level.  
google Shilo swimming pool...(darn computer is not letting me copy n paste)  
 
They have a new session starting mid January - was $60 + gst for 10 lessons as a non member

Yes the Sportsplex only has male/female change rooms. They do allow children under 6 in either one. Once your child is 7 there is no reason your child can’t get changed in a change room by themselves.  
You would be surprised what they are capable of if only they are allowed to do it themselves

kids that like cold water go to the Ymca, kids that like warmer water go to the Sportplex