Seahorse Academy LLC, Bend | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

We’ve been with Seahorse Academy for 4 years. We’ve had all our kids in their swim lessons, including one of our kids who has autism with limited verbal communication. We tried community pool classes previously, and though our kids learned swim skills, they found the group experience more intimidating and less engaging since the instructor’s attention was divided. Growth felt slow. Even though the classes accommodated our son with autism through having 1:1 special-needs helpers, the inconsistency of aides and instructors made it challenging for him and us, so we took a break for a season. It became stressful for all of us, and he wasn’t gaining much skill in a group setting.

Four years ago, we had a summer vacation planned that would involve a lot of beach time and swimming, so we felt the urgency to get our youngest ones water safe! They liked being in the water, but didn’t have any basic safety skills mastered yet despite prior group lessons. We found Seahorse Academy, and thankfully, a couple spots opened up not long after being on the wait-list, and we have done private and semi-private lessons regularly ever since Seahorse was at the Bend golf club. Amanda has been so kind and encouraging and welcomed all our kids, including our son with autism. It was a relief to see her patience and care for him. She got to know each of our kids, met them at their level and kept lessons fun and engaging while also guiding them to gain skills and confidence. Our older kids did the swim team once they mastered skills, and our younger ones continue to take private lessons. Having the same instructor each week who knows them has made a big difference in our kids learning and maintaining skills. Thankfully, Seahorse’s location on Greenwood has been more convenient for us, too, and we appreciate Amanda’s attentiveness to keep chlorine levels safe and the pool clean. There’s always something fun for my kids to play with or engage in while they wait their turn for lessons, plus changing stations, bathrooms, and a shower. Swim lessons like theirs can be pricey, but it’s been a worthwhile investment in this season toward their safety and building an important life skill.

I highly recommend Seahorse Academy to all my mom friends! When we started at Seahorse Academy my son (age 3) would not put his ears in the water without a melt down. When he started with Ms. Amanda he was on the timid side and didn’t always like to try new things. We had been at another swim school in town for 4 months and dipping his ears in the water for 3 seconds was as much progress as we had made doing a 30 minute private lesson once a week (he refused to blow bubbles, put his head under water and float on his back). Within 3 weeks (one lesson per week of 15 minutes) Ms. Amanda had my son floating on his back (with her support) for 30 seconds. I couldn’t believe it, it was truly amazing and I was so thankful we had signed up. We have been there a little over a year now and my son is so confident in the water. He jumps off the edges of the pool and comes up floating on his back unassisted. He can swim from platform to platform and absolutely loves the water. My daughter started with Ms. Amanda a few months after my son (she was age 1 when starting) and we have had the same wonderful experience with her in the water. Our kids absolutely love Ms. Amanda and Ms. Bekah and going to the facility (there are plenty of toys/activities to entertain the kids before and after swim and we often show up a little early or stay for a bit afterwards to enjoy the space). Lessons have been cancelled but it is always for understandable reasons, and we are often offered a different lesson time that week if a lesson has to be cancelled. Also Ms. Amanda is always understanding if we have to cancel a lesson due to a sick kid or vacation. Ms. Amanda truly cares about each of her swim students and she is an unbelievable teacher. I would highly recommend signing up for the waitlist and accepting a spot in her swim school when you get to the top.

My son has been attending swim lessons at Seahorse academy for about a year and a half. He started in the water babies class when he was 1.5yrs old and once he completed that we moved into private lessons. We only go once a week, as that is what fits our schedule, but I am very impressed at the skills he has learned in that time and it is very reassuring to me that he is gaining comfort and confidence in the water. He always seems to have a good time during the lessons and I appreciate the pictures and videos that Miss Amanda sends showing me the new skills he has learned! Miss Amanda and Miss Bekah have always communicated well and provided valuable feedback. I’m about to have a second kiddo and am looking forward to getting him into swim lessons as well! Another bonus is the facility is set up wonderfully for kiddos-with play areas and toys to keep them busy until it’s their turn in the pool. Towels, wipes, and lotions are also provided. The facility is kept clean and welcoming! Needless to say – we love it at Seahorse.