See What Our Clients Have to Say

Hello Miss Mindy (as you will forever be known to us)! How are you? I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for Apple. She has been swimming (almost) everyday since you saw her. She has gotten tremendous confidence in the water. Now when we swim, she takes off on her own out of my arms and swims into her daddy’s. For days after the lessons ended, she would teach her duckies to swim during bath time. It was hilarious asking them to tell her “I can do it” and “ready, set, go!” It is quite a task to get her out of the pool now. When we are on her way she says, “I’m going to do my work, and then we can play.

Our friends and family watch flabbergasted as they watch this little two year old swimming like a little fish. The best part is, I know that if she ever fell into a pool, she would know exactly how to save her life. How can you ever thank someone for teaching your child that skill? It is impossible. But we are so very grateful to you and Marlene. Thank you a million times over. We hope that in the autumn we can bring you over to teach phase two.

Thank you again and lots of love to you and Marlene….

Gwyneth Paltrow

My only regret is not doing it sooner. I was so overwhelmed with all of the local programs, and I’m so happy I chose Baby Otter! My son was swimming on day 2 without the trauma a lot of other methods use, which was big for me. They eased all of my anxiety on things like aspiration with research and facts. The lessons were short but I never once felt rushed, they took the time to walk me through everything and answer every single question I had. Not only did my son walk away with new skills to keep him safe, I walked away with so much myself – from education on water safety to child psychology. Even just watching them interact taught me skills I can use as a parent outside of swimming. We can’t wait to enjoy our summer safely! Thank you so much Cara.

Gabrielle Donahe

We were stuck at a weeklong conference at Marriott World Orlando so we decided to sign up for private swim lessons with Baby Otter Swim School. I was a skeptic from the very beginning and even the first class gave me some trepidation. You hand off your child to someone you’ve never met and you go hide somewhere your child can’t see you. Needless to say my son was not happy nor looking forward to this. However, I really wanted this program to work, so I gave it a chance. Within about 15 minutes, not only did my son stop crying, but he was smiling and enjoying himself. Fast forward to the end of the week, and my little 2 year old is actually looking forward to showing me his drills, has no fear of deeper water, and wants to stay in the pool longer. What an amazing alternative to spending the days at the parks. Just a week later, his training was tested when he accidentally fell into a water fountain. He now loves to swim and has so much more confidence in any pool. He still asks where Coach Drew is and repeats his lessons out loud as he swims. I have no doubt ign my mind Baby Otters has saved countless young lives by empowering and instilling the ability to save oneself in the water by those who cannot.

Christopher has not forgotten to “turn, kick, reach”. Besides boosting his confidence, swimming has helped him swing on the playground’s swing set! All I have to say is “Kick your legs like in swim class!”

Our experience with Baby Otter Swim School has been wonderful and we would like to continue once available in our area.

Mrs. Maldanado – Special needs parent

My one year old can learn to swim in less than 3 hours??? This is what Baby Otter Swim School prides themselves on. I was skeptical to say the least and just very nervous as a first time mom. That said, all of my fears were truly eased when I met Amy, owner/instructor for the Melbourne market. She was super personable and, as a mother herself, could relate with my feelings. I probably needed more assurances than my daughter, initially. Amy was able to do just that while simultaneously explaining the process so I knew what to expect every step of the way. By the end of her first 30 minute lesson, I couldn’t believe my eyes…my baby girl was swimming! Amy was so sweet and gentle during the lessons but direct enough to ensure my daughter’s safety. It was tough on my momma heart but I’d do it again, tomorrow. Thank you Amy and Baby Otter Swim School!

Seriously, such an outstanding program. In less than a week both of my children (3yo & 5yo) are able to swim to the wall and hold on/climb out! Safety is our #1 priority and knowing if they fall in they have a better chance of getting to safety means so much. We were searching for a safety swim program that would work and Caleb came highly recommended by multiple moms. We decided to give the program a try and we are so happy we did. I just wanted to put this out there in case anu other family was on the fence. It is 100% worth it!

Mom’s Club of Wellington FL

Very professional, very experienced instructors. I was very surprised with how quickly my 2 year old son picked up on their instructions. I highly recommend.

Chris F.

I am so thrilled to have the Baby Otter team work with our little one! Our instructor Jessica is patient, kind and reassuring with our toddler. On day 2 our little one displayed less fear and more confidence! It’s amazing to watch! Thank you for the IMPORTANT work you do!

Parent

I can’t rave enough about Baby Otter Swim School!! Coach Staci and her mom taught my boys, 7 and 3, how to swim in 3 days. They made them feel safe, confident, and still had fun! I am beyond impressed! Worth every penny!

Kassie J.

Baby Otter is amazing, the instructors are masters at balancing being loving and nurturing while being very professional.

Kim K.

All I can say is that having our child join the Baby Otters swimming classes has been an amazing experience. Their patience and passion absolutely blew my mind. They just know how to teach children how to swim! I absolutely, 100% recommend it!

Jana F.

Ms. Hayley was amazing! My 3 year old completed the Turn, Kick, Reach program and could jump into the pool and swim to the side after only 5 days!

Meghan G.

Thank you so very much for giving me one less thing to worry about! It is amazing what you have taught (my child) in 5 days! You are so very appreciated and a lovely person to boot!

From Parent to our Miami Instructor, Daniella

My 2 year old son went from not being able to be in a body of water without his floaties, to within 4 days he knew how to swim. I was blown away. The patience of the instructor (Caleb is amazing) was patience I as a parent aspire to have! The repetitive curriculum is genius, and as you think they are little and don’t understand, they do. It’s awesome. Can’t say enough great things about this company. I can now confidently say that my son is safe in the water without the false sense of float floaties bring, and can save himself in a body of water after 4 days of swim lessons!

Ashley Barnett

I am so thrilled to have the Baby Otter team work with our little one! Our instructor Jessica is patient, kind and reassuring with our toddler. On day 2 our little one displayed less fear and more confidence! It’s amazing to watch! Thank you for the IMPORTANT work you do!

Good Morning, Staci!

We hope you had a great Fourth of July. We wanted to share some swimming highlights from Mila’s weekend because she impressed and surprised us everyday! On Sunday after getting acclimated to my sister’s pool and practicing her kicks, she swam to the side and stairs several times!! No tears, no trembling, just pure confidence in her skills and techniques!! She even pointed to the side and signed for more while in my arms!

Yesterday, David and I took her for a swim in our pool. Once again, she pointed to the side and stairs to practice her skills and did so well! We are beyond grateful to you for your patience last week and are so happy we chose to peruse lessons with you. We will continue to work with her and will keep in touch with her progress. Moreover, I’ll be sure to spread the word about your incredible program and the confidence it gives children and parents alike.

Have a wonderful day,

Deena

PS- she even likes her stuffed otter now, too! No crying when she sees her bathing suit either!

On behalf of my guest and myself I would like to commend this company Baby Otters on such super customer service that was given on the first time in use with The Conrad Miami, I was in a bind and your answering service was wonderful in taking my information on an urgent last minute reservation. Rachel and Staci are my Hero’s getting back to me on a timely matter with everything that I need to get the guest started “Thank You” Comments from the Mr. & Mrs. Gerdes, his wife

Loved the services very personal and attentive Daniella is the best her services will be requested again. We are very happy to have you as our Family. Thank you so much for everything.

Best Wishes,
Kefyrah A. Yisrael
Chief Concierge
Conrad Miami
Espirito Santo Plaza
1395 Brickell Avenue
Miami, Fl 33131
o: 305.503.6577

Hello!

Jacob is doing GREAT with his training and swimming, has developed a lot more confidence in the water as well. We practice with him his skills at least 3-4 days a week and he loves it.

Please tell our instructor, Andrew, he did a great job, and that Jacob keeps asking when he is coming back over to swim with him ????

Thanks so much,

Jessica O

My name is Cate and I am the mother of two children with Autism.

From the minute my children were born, before the disability diagnosis, I was very focused on making sure my children could swim as soon as they came of age. Once the children were diagnosed with Autism, I knew that the need for water safety instruction and swim lessons was absolutely critical for their survival, as children with Autism can be abnormally drawn to water and can have a difficult time understanding the concept of danger.

I went searching for swim schools and was repeatedly denied. Without even seeing my son, who is considered severe and nonverbal, I was told that he would never learn to swim. I was also told that with my daughter’s difficult behaviors, she was also “not welcome” for swim instruction. The final devastating blow came when a swim school who actually used a nonverbal Autistic child and their ability to learn in their program as a selling point to bring in clients, proceeded to tell me my nonverbal son could not be taught to swim.

I was sad and I was scared for the safety of my children, living in a state filled with lakes, pools and surrounded on three sides by the sea. Finally, my pediatrician sent me to Baby Otter where he had sent his children for lessons.

From the minute I first spoke with the school, I knew we were in good hands! I was not told my children were guaranteed to swim in any specific time frame, but I was assured that the instructors at the swim school would stay with both of my kids until they learned to swim, regardless of their learning disability or “limitations”. We enrolled by kids at the ages of 4 and 5 into the TKR, Turn, Kick, Reach program.

Not only did both of my kids pass the TKR on the fifth day, but both of my kids became such strong swimmers so quickly, they were enrolled in the school’s Special Needs Swim Team in which they were awarded medals! My children have continued to grow in ability and strength through the years and they have both become the best swimmers I know! Not only that, they both swim regularly in the ocean and surf!

Baby Otter truly changed the course of their lives forever!

My son Lucas took TKR when he was 2 1/2 and successfully completed it. That was in November and the pool was cold so we never practiced and he developed a fear of going underwater. I tried on my own to re-teach him but I couldn’t get him past the crying. So I signed him up again at age 4.

Ms. Andrea was able to have him swimming within 5 minutes. She was compassionate but determined enough to work past his fear quickly. By day five, he was swimming using his arms and jumped in willingly. Best money I’ve spent all year!

I’m looking forward to a fun summer now that Lucas can swim.

Kelly Lodowski