Alexander Miller and mom Jenna are having a ball in the class for the littlest swimmers. Learning to relax in the heated water, the children also practice other motor skills and how to share and take turns. Photo by Andrea Worker.
The story behind the Goldfish Swim School in Reston might sound like a bit of a fish tale, but there’s plenty of evidence to prove otherwise. Just a few years ago, owner Gina Bewersdorf took her young son to one more swim class near their hometown in Michigan in hopes that this new facility would be the one to overcome his obvious dislike of the whole process.
“It probably didn’t help that I was scared to death myself,” she admitted. Turns out that Bewersdorf made a good — and life changing — decision. “From the very first lesson things were different. You could see his comfort and confidence blossoming.” Within a month, her son Asher was striking out to the play “island” in the middle of the pool.
After seeing her reluctant son’s success, and getting to know the staff (“They were just so kind, caring and patient”) Bewersdorf decided to learn to swim at age 39 with the help of Ken Turner, one of the Goldfish instructors. Fifteen months later she was ready to achieve a longtime goal — competing in a triathlon that included a 2.4 mile competitive swim.
Not long after taking the plunge, the Bewersdorfs decided to go “all in” and open a Goldfish in Reston.
WHY RESTON? First, they are familiar with the area. Bewersdorf is a physician and has spent professional time here. Her attorney husband has done business in the D.C. area. After about a year of research, “this seemed to be just the right place for our location,” said Bewersdorf in a phone interview. “There’s already a population with an obvious interest in fitness and physical activities. There is certainly competition with other pools and facilities where swimming is taught. But I honestly believe there is nothing like the Goldfish way or environment.” A location far from home base might seem like a risk, but Bewersdorf reduced her worries by recruiting her own instructor, Ken Turner, as the General Manager of the new venture. Turner came on board during the construction phase and reports that after six months in operation, all is looking well.
Just a stroll around the Goldfish Swim School’s 10,000 square-foot facility at 12340 Pinecrest Road in Reston could easily sway you to Bewersdorf’s way of thinking. It’s light and bright and designed to look like a Disneyesque tropical resort. The private changing rooms resemble Caribbean cabanas and there are “palm” trees and “palm” thatched “huts” and covered tables where kids and parents look quite comfy while they wait their turn in the warmth of the 90 degree 25-meter heated pool.
“No shivering or pool shock,” said Turner. “It’s like a wonderful warm bath. Everyone is relaxed and ready to learn and have fun.”
Turner and assistant General Manager Tommy Hamilton, have both worked at several community pools and other facilities. In Turner’s opinion, there is nothing to compare to the Goldfish curriculum or environment. Goldfish instructors go through 40-50 hours of training in the proprietary learning plan, and the core curriculum was developed by a 17-time Collegiate All-American swimmer with a degree in early childhood development and family studies. Class sizes are small with a 4:1 student-to-teacher ration.
Another advantage to the Goldfish school, according to Turner, is the “perpetual” lesson formula. Children are grouped based on age and ability, rather than a sign-up time, or a prescribed set of sessions, allowing them to advance to the next class when they are ready. Toward the end of each 30-minute session parents hear the call to “Enter the Pool Deck!” where they can more closely observe their children and receive an update from the instructor on the child’s progress.
“You don’t wait for a month, or for the end of a six-week series to find out how your child is doing and how you can participate in the learning process,” said Turner.
USING FUN, age-appropriate props (like a foam canoe and a mini-“island”) Goldfish Swim has 12 different class levels, for ages 4 months to 12 years. Private, semi-private and casual “drop-in” lessons are also available, as are “Jump Start Clinics,” recreational swim teams and even family wwim times.
Turner, Hamilton and the Goldfish Swim School staff are “all hands on deck” ready to show visitors around and let them see the aquatic action themselves. Visit www.goldfishswimschool.com, or call 703-348-3261.
As Gina Bewersdorf says, “your toddler may not be able to play soccer yet, but they can swim. Swimming is wonderful for your whole body and it is something you can do your whole life.”