Goldfish Swim School in Rockville is Montgomery County’s newest learn-to-swim program! This perpetual, year-round program believes that the best way to build capable, confident swimmers is through guided play. They offer lessons in a bright, tropical-themed facility specifically designed just for kids! Lessons take place in a shiver-free, 90° pool for infants 4 months and older up to children aged 12. Their fun, progression-based approach creates a learning environment that is fun, safe, and emphasizes water safety, not just swimming skills (but they have those too – check out their Pro levels and swim team program!)
In the age of Covid-19, as everyone begins to adjust to the new normal, Goldfish has implemented policies and procedures to ensure their facility remains as safe as possible.
Their lesson ratio is 4:1, and they have accounted for social distancing in every part of the program: their registration process is fully digital (they’ve even created a Goldfish Swim School App!), and check-in takes place outside the facility. After temperature checks have been taken, swimmers receive a Lane Assignment card designating which lane to go to for their lesson, as well as which changing rooms and restrooms they should use. Children arrive already in their bathing suits, and go right in to the pool area for their lesson. Lessons are taught by teachers wearing face shields. There are barriers dividing each lane and children have designated turtle kickboards to sit on to reinforce social distancing from classmates when waiting their turn. Goldfish offers a Viewing Area for watching lessons. They are currently limiting access to 1 parent per family in the viewing area, where in chairs spaced 6ft apart from each other.
According to their General Manager, Zachary Healy: “Our staff goes above and beyond to ensure the cleanest facility possible for our members. We take the time to sanitize our facility after every single lesson, so no matter what time of day you come in it feels like you’re the first swimmers here!”
Enrollment is on a rolling basis, and they offer Perpetual Lessons (30mins, once a week) for $128 per month, with a $25 Membership Fee that is good for a whole year. Each swimmer gets 12 free makeup lessons, and you can switch your class day and time whenever you need to!
Just for the summer they are also offering Jump Start Clinics, a 3-day swim camp to help ease nervous swimmers and refresh more advanced skills too. It’s also good for parents who might want to get their child into lessons, but are nervous about committing to any activities long-term. A new session begins every week, through the last week of August.
For more information check out their website (they have a Parent Portal where you can see their entire class schedule), download the App, or give them a call at 301-453-6370. Private facility tours are available but must be scheduled in advance.
As a special offer just for Macaroni Kid, mention this article when you enroll to get your $25 Membership Fee WAIVED!
