Leahi Swim School

lame. ive never felt so disrespected at this place before. my kids have been coming to this swim lessons for about a year and i am so disgusted. my son was crying when he first came to swim and they have never kicked me out before but today when i want to see my kids swim they KICK ME OUT! why only now do you kick me out? how dare you kick me out when i, as a parent, want to see my kids swim. And only now you say it is a policy. I don’t understand at all and I am very upset.

Really disappointed today. It’s the first day of session for us and we go to check-​in. They have my son registered but not my daughter.
We have been with this swim school for two seasons now (this being our third) and during the summer season I registered both my kids at the same time for the same levels that they were in. Payment was made for both kids but come today, sadness and disappointment for my 6 year old and anger, frustration, inconvenience for me.
They sent out a reminder postcard with both their names, dates, and times prior to the session starting, and mind you I registered them myself in person and this happens. I asked how this happened and told them that my daughter must have been bumped for this to happen. I’m usually understanding about stuff and know that mistakes happen but when I have a reminder card that confirms my date and times and they say that they didn’t know whether they would move her up a level and that may be the reason why she wasn’t scheduled. If this was the case, I should have received a phone call and they should still have had her on the schedule and assessed her then place her which I’ve been told is procedure. Wouldn’t be such a big deal if my daughter wasn’t right there and looking forward to her class.
They offer me the same day at a later time. I’m not about to wait around an hour and a half. There is a reason I scheduled their lessons for the same time and day. So they ask me to schedule for another day and that’s that. I ask if I should bring my son in with my daughter and the owner said no. He should have said yes as a way to compensate for their mistake and because my children are used to going to swim class together. To make matters worse, my son gets out of the pool and asks why his sister didn’t swim. Their mistake and my frustration was no big deal to this guy. Seeing the large amount of people there today and they wouldn’t make up for it feels like a turn and burn kind of place. Just sorries and a leahi swim school tattoo for her. Sorry won’t be advertising for you.
Three stars for the teachers because my kids really enjoy class. Not sure if I’m bringing my kids back next session due to the way this was handled.

I enrolled Mia in the Parent Aid class which consists of babies older than 6 months to 2 years old, and their parents. Currently it is $ 171 for 8 sessions. This is my first time enrolling her in Leahi Swim school so not sure how much the other fall and spring sessions cost. I think it’s pretty reasonable when you break down the cost. That’s like $ 22 for 8 ½ hr sessions. To me when I break it down that way, the $ 171 is not expensive at all.
At first when my MIL insisted me to register her first and only granddaughter in swimming lessons, I thought «really??? But it’s so early…» I did it anyway thinking what harm it could do, and what did I have to lose anyway. A big part of me still thought it was a bad idea. Nope. Not anymore. Best idea ever actually. My daughter not only loves the water, she loves seeing all the other kids. When she’s sees the other kids performing, it boosts her confidence and she tries it too. I look forward to tuesdays and thursdays at 11am now just to see her excitement. Leahi really has it’s ways in boosting confidence in the water… with fun exercises that sure may just look like the kids are playing and you could so do the exercises for free, but I truly believe kids need to see the other kids succeeding, and the encouragement from everyone around them too.
I deducted one star just because of the registration process. Not the same experience as everyone else where they had to stand in line. My registration process actually went incredibly smooth up until the week before the session started. Being that this was my first time enrolling, I had no idea if I had to bring anything, and I didnt get confirmation on my daughters time. We set it up all the phone, but one of the girls I talked to said I should get a confirmation postcard in the mail with my time. I didn’t get that. So I called my sister asking what the process was. She told me no they don’t notify or confirm with you and I have to call them. I paid $ 171, & honestly I did expect to get a postcard at least. Anyway, no fuss. I did call. And the girl I talked to was more than helpful and friendly. Im sure they are getting all registration processes in order. I understand it all just takes time. I know I had an easy time registering on the phone, & not their old way standing in line waiting!
Student-​instructor ratio is good. In the yellow team, parent-​aide group, there are 2 instructors to 6 babies and toddlers with one parent-​aide. Not too crowded. And all the instructors are really encouraging and helpful. Ive had Miss Kahea and Mr. Toren so far. 4 more sessions to go for this season, and I will continue to choose leahi for Mia’s future classes!

One star for registration process — strange and old school.(hello 1980’s) In person registration where you give your preferred dates and times and hope you actually get it. (it depend on if they get enough interest. There is no actual schedule to choose from) This is then followed by a period when you can call or walk-​in a registration based on availability. You then wait until you get a postcard in the mail to tell you what class you got. If you are looking for a Saturday class, then you better go in person on the designated registration day and stand in line early. (BTW, they are not great at answering the phone and returning phone calls. You may need to actually go down in person if you really want to register)
Two stars for overall standard teaching techniques (management) It seems like the teaching process really varies and many kids seem to reach a point where they plateau and the instructors can’t push them any farther.
Two stars for facilities — There are hardly any private areas to change your clothes. Its not hard to change a baby in public, but most parents in the baby class end up going home in their wet suits.
Three stars for instructors — Its really hit or miss here depending on the instructor. We have done both baby and toddler classes here. The baby class were pretty good. Alexandra was the instructor I loved the most, but she is no longer there. I’ve also heard a lot of great reviews for the older Billy, but he is now at the Pearl City location only.
This summer we took classes (both sessions) twice a week with almost no progress. There was a lot of hopping, crawling on the steps and singing, but very little actual swimming. I have to reiterate that it is probably dependent on the instructor. I talked to management, but they said that is how they teach. My kid had fun, but I’m not paying for fun.
We have opted for a private instructor. for now. Yes, its a little pricey, but the kid has learned way more in 1 lesson than in the entire summer at Leahi. It’s time to move on from what was not working.

Great Swimming Pool Classes with teacher-​student ratio. All instructors are very friendly, patient with students. I enrolled my son during summer Blizt section, and he loves it. Therefore, I decided to enroll him again during Fall. It’s a little pricy, but it’s worth it toward the end. I highly recommended to all parent to take your kids here. I’m sure he or she will love it and learn how to swim quickly!

I absolutely love Leahi Swim School and my little girl agrees!
I was born and raised in Hawaii. The way I was taught to swim was basically my older cousins throwing me in the water and me figuring it out! Since my daughter is the only grandchild in the family she never had that… luxury. After numerous trips to the beach, all of which left me recovering from a panic attack (she loves the ocean, but didnt quite get the concept of holding her breath) I realized for the sake of my sanity I really needed to get her proper schooling of what you can and cant do in the water. Today she graduated from her Beginner 1 class and, though going to the beach or pool, still makes me nervous… Im able to relax a little more when we do go. Her teachers from the 11am Tue/​Thur Blue Team were amazing!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Leahi Swim School! We will definitely be back in the Fall!

I really like this school as they come to my son’s preschool to give them lessons. Actually they pick them up and bring them to the Manoa location… My son has been going here since 3 years old (that’s the earliest age both schools will take them, as they have to be potty trained if they’re going without the parent.)
Either way, I like this because 1) they go late morning on a weekday so they have the pool and the teachers to themselves. I had to go on a Saturday once and it was crazy busy! 2) My son has learned a lot! He’s swimming and getting stronger with every session 3) the teachers and staff have been very nice and accommodating the times we had to interact with them.
We tried one on one lessons at the Y but he didn’t take to that so well. He’s only 4 so I believe he doesn’t like the «attention» and prefers the small class setting.
Here’s my recap:
Pros:
–Heated pool
–They take underwater photos, give cool medals and report cards at the end of their session.
–Nice teachers, effective since my son is swimming better and better each time.

Both of my kids love it here. We took one session off to try Oahu Club, and that was disastrous. We should have never left. The kids are back and swimming better then ever!

Wonderful, incredible swim school. Very caring instructors that we have had for our three children who are advancing quickly in the levels. Administrators work with parents to find the right class and there is a clear progression through skills and assigning swim levels. Everyone is super nice and wants the best for each swimmer. They also have great hours to choose from. Saturdays fill up quickly so be prepared to arrive very early on that sign up day to get a spot. Other weekday times are usually not a problem. Highly recommend this swim school!

They have a system that really works. I can’t believe how quickly my 3 year olds are learning. I wish I started them here sooner!

Excellent teachers — we loved Miss Alex. Our son really enjoys his swim lessons and really progressed immensely when he did the summer blast (three times a week) class. I disagree with previous reviewers, I think management is extremely responsive and helpful. Yes, the re-​enrollment process can be a bit difficult, especially if you want a coveted Saturday position. I do wish they allowed for online registration and processing of payments, but otherwise fantastic.

Parking issues during the week, but everyone is nice and helpful. Not for advance swimming techniques but great for learning to swim.

Great swim school and instructors. My daughter’s swim skills are really improving. I highly recommend this school.

our son is in his seconf session and we have booked already foir his third and fourth. Great instructors and my son loves it there. Great for all kids at any level.

My son (age 5 years old) has been attending Leahi Swim
School since he was 2. I like the teacher-​child ratio and that they teach children in a systematic manner that is developmentally appropriate (opposite of «sink or swim»). The teachers appear attentive and they seem to have been trained well. Leahi is expensive (especially when one considers that they do not allow make-​up classes) but I don’t mind it as I think, especially in Hawaii, that a child be able to swim well at an early age.
My low rating is because of the way the management registers (specifically, re-​enrolls) students. Yesterday, I had to wait two hours (!!) to re-​enroll my child to the exact same class time slot. There was only one person registering children. I complained to the owner (she was the one registering the families) and she dismissed any suggestions (e.g., using the computer to enroll families faster, having multiple people register families, etc.). Her response was that the families at Pearl Ridge had a much longer wait and that she was the one who was suffering the most («I have to be here all day while you are here for two hours»). I tried not to get adversarial but she is profiting from her time while my Saturday is being wasted. I observed that so many children were getting antsy, whiny, etc., during the long wait.
Leahi Swim School can get away with their behavior and poor policies (horrible systems of re-​enrolling swim students) because they are the the «game in town» but I think for the next swim session, I’ll check out another swim school, such as the Nuuanu YMCA.

Leahi Swim School was most definitely a step up from the experience we had with the aquatics program at the Kaimuki/​Waialae YMCA (see my review of their program). At least at Leahi they didn’t keep switching teachers during the program, and the teacher to student ratio was good.
I think it’s a good program if you just want your kids to get used to being in the water. At the end of a session of classes, they have the kids stand on these Olympic style stands, give them a medal (with Leahi’s logo on it), play some recorded ego-​boosting music, and you can take pictures of your pretty/​handsome future Olympian medalist!
That being said, if you want your children to learn specific strokes, i.e. freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breast stroke, etc., you may need to investigate a class somewhere else. Our kids went here for over a year, and it seemed they spent more time just playing in the water, and being thrown in the air by the instructors, which is fun, but not really helpful in building specific aquatic skills. And, in my opinion, that’s a lot of money to spend for such a thing. But then again we are not in the 5% economic class that many in the «occupy» movement have been talking about!
Thankfully, we found another school more than a year ago, that is about the same price, and even better student-​teacher ratio, and the kids are actually learning the fundamentals of the strokes, as well as breathing properly.
Many of the other parents seemed delighted with Leahi, though, especially when they got to take pictures of their future stars. So, if your goal is just getting your kids used to water, and pumping up their self-​esteem, this may just fit the bill.

This is a super awesome swimming program. I am very happy with my instructor Miss Julie she really works well with kids. The lessons are 25 minutes which may seem short, but the kids are engaged the whole time. I really feel that this is a really good program for young kids who are learning how to swim. The pool (pearl city) is shallow and is very conducive to swimming. As a former swimmer and swim instructor I give this an A+. It is a little pricey, but I feel that I am getting my money’s worth.

I have nothing but praise for the staff and instructors at Leahi Swim School. My 4 kids benefit so much from their small classes and experienced instructors. Their facilities are the best I have encountered and let me tell you some other places that we’ve been to do not stand up to Leahi’s. My children have a great time during classes and always look forward to attending their next class.
Thank you Leahi for giving my kids a safe and nurturing place to learn how to swim.