Testimonials


 

I had him take swim lessons elsewhere and for two months all he learned to do was blow bubbles.  The philosophy of this other swim school was to let the child take the lead.  They were afraid to push Parker for fear that he would become afraid of the water.

   Joy's philosophy at Little Dipper Swim School is quite the opposite and has worked wonders with Parker.  Parker has only had three lessons with Joy and is already putting his head underwater, floating on his back with assistance, going underwater for his ring, practicing his kicks,pushing off from the side and jumping in from the side.  He learned more in one lesson with Joy than in the sixteen lessons he took elsewhere.  Parker's favorite phrase is "I don't want to do it".  Joy gently tells him that there isn't a choice and under the water Parker goes. Parker is very proud of himself.I am certain that Parker would never learn to swim if he was at a different swim school.  Some children will learn to swim with little or no pressure from the teacher (like my 5 year old, Zachary).  Other children, like
Parker, need lots of encouragement and cannot be given a choice to sit on the top step and just blow bubbles.
   The Little Dipper program made such an impression on me that I also enrolled my five year old, Zachary, who already knows how to swim, and I am planning on enrolling my infant daughter in the fall.

Thank you Little Dippers!

: This is a huge accomplishment for my family. We are so pleased with the program and would love to share our success with others.

ANNE CANNON

My family has had the most incredible experience at Little Dippers Swim School.

My daughter Mikaela started swimming at Little Dippers when she was 4 and was so uncomfortable. Although she never cried at any of her lessons, she wasn't fond of putting her face in the water. She soon gained confidence through the positive teachers at Little Dippers. She learned how to be safe in the water and how to swim.. She is now almost 6 and still swimming with Little Dippers. She loves swimming and doesn't ever want to stop swimming at Little Dippers.

My son Mikey started swimming at Little Dippers when he was 2. He didn't like anything about swimming. We struggled at every lesson with screaming and crying. Many of his lessons I spent in my car with the radio turned up so I couldn't hear him screaming or on the other side of the gate so he couldn't see me, wondering if I had made the right decision.

I knew in my heart the importance of water safety and knew, because of my daughters success, that Little Dippers was the best place for him. It by no means was an easy year for me - (yes I said 1 year). We had a rewards system that if he didn't cry or scream we would celebrate with a treat. Many weeks I so wanted to go out for a slurpee or ice cream reward but because he had resisted and didn't cooperate in the pool I had to say no.

Joy and Loren, both of his teachers, went through the worst of the terrible 2's and 3's with my son. They never gave up with him, they taught him respect and trust.

There was a point a very short time ago that I was about ready to pull him out because I had almost given up. I had a phone conversation with Joy about Mikey where she told me "Mikey is at the eye of the storm and he is going to turn." I hung up the phone and thought I have so much faith in this program that I am going to stick it out a bit longer. Six weeks later I am sitting here looking at pictures and video of my son, who just turned 4 years old, swimming on his own and diving off of the diving board without any tears and a huge smile on his face. As a parent, this has been one of the greatest joys I have been able to witness.

Both of my children have learned more than just how to swim. They have learned the importance of water safety - respect, trust, confidence and sense of accomplishment. Mikaela is so proud of herself and her accomplishment in the pool.

Mikey loves coming to Little Dippers to swim. He is so proud to have family and friends watch the video of him swimming - he calls it "The Mikey Show."

Thanks to Little Dippers, both of my children are on there way to many years of safe swimming.
Nancy Wentworth

Little Dipper Swim School is the best!  All three of my children have
attended swim classes there.  The two older ones are now successful swim team swimmers.  The third, age 3, is the true fish of the family.  She has been swimming at Little Dippers since before she could walk.  Now, she swims.  Not sorta paddle around with water wings on - she really swims.  She swims! 

Anyone who says a 2 or 3 year old is too young to swim needs to watch Josie.  More importantly, she has learned life-saving water safety skills, confidence, and respect for the water.  Last year, Josie fell in the pool while watching a lesson.  She came to the surface, floated, kicked to the wall, and climbed out all by herself.  Of course, there is no substitute for vigilant supervision, but a child who can get herself out of the water after falling in accidentally is much safer around water than one who cannot. 

Joy [Josie's teacher and Little Dipper Swim School owner] once told me that she was "only a swimming teacher."  I disagree.  At Little Dipper, my children have learned discipline, confidence, perseverence, patience, respect, and, of course, swimming.  I am very grateful for all of the life skills learned and fun times we've had at Little Dipper
Swim School.
Melissa Ward, Walnut Creek, Mom to Katie (8), Matthew (6), and Josie (3)

"Just wanted to let you know!"
By, the way, Carolynn is doing a great job!  Great with the kids, and great teaching methods

Gracie's Mom

"With more than 20 years of experience behind them, Little Dippers keeps attracting both veteran and new families, making then one of the area's top swim schools."
Lisa Garcia
Staff Writter
Contra Costa Times
Sports Thursday, August 11, 2005