★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 2

Learning to swim was always on my list, but when I finally went, the experience was disappointing. The instructor gave poor instructions and even yelled at me, which made it difficult to learn as an adult. I can’t speak for how kids are treated in the course, but it was definitely not ideal for adults. While the price is reasonable, the shower area was also in bad shape. If you can afford a better facility, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 1

The teaching style is awful here. Jeff talks too much about philosophy, history etc and doesn't stand next to you to show you what he wants you to do, his teaching style is not approachable, one is afraid to ask him questions and he doesn't seem to be patient with those who have never been in the water and have no lifetime skill. I wish he was more patient and wished he showed you personally instead of just talking. He can be so cocky. Wished he was more nicer. He likely needs to learn how to teach or a class on how to teach students.

Source: Google

★ 4

Machers Swin has been around since 1976–when you walk in the doors you’ll see a facility that maybe hasn’t been painted since then. It’s not state of the art—but it does aways seem very clean.

The owner is Joanna Macher (somewhere in her 80s and the person for whom the phrase tough-as-nails was coined) and she seems to teach most of the classes. What you’ll notice right away is that Joanna is a yeller—if you’re like us and coming from sort of a gentle parenting framework, this might make you go yoikes at firsts. However—I’ll just cut to the chase and say—she’s been doing this a long time and will teach your kid to swim.

Will she yell at your child? Yes. Will they be scared of her to some degree? Yes. But in a summer, my kids (4&6) have gone from floaties in a baby pool to jumping off in the deep end and swimming the length of a pool.

I think everyone will have to make their own calculation, Machers might not be right for your family at a particular time (we tried one class here with our oldest when he was around two and decided to wait). If you have fairly resilient, neurotypical kids? I found the results outweigh any discomfort (and honestly you might be surprised to find that your kids grow and think a little at the novel idea that not everyone interacts the same).

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★ 5

Yes Joanne can be strict and I am THANKFUL for that. I don't want my kids clowning around during their swim lessons. I want them to listen, pay attention, and follow directions the first time. Joanne expects the same. My kids look forward to their swim lessons and are able to have fun while learning life saving skills. I appreciate Macher's time tested approach in teaching children how to swim.

Source: Google

★ 1

If I could give zero stars I would. The amount of parents I have seen and heard complain about how awful the owner is this place is is unreal. I went as a child and was forced off the diving board when I was scared and not ready. Doesn’t surprise me that people are having so many issues with the owner. Very very rude woman.

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★ 1

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★ 5

I love classes

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★ 1

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★ 2

I want to start by saying I read the comments thoroughly and thought to myself ‘these parents are just soft’. I however am far from soft, and my children are used to stern parenting. So I went ahead and enrolled my 4 and 5 year old in a group class. Joanne’s methods inarguably produce results. By the third lesson my son was swimming to her marked spot and back with his face in the water (awkwardly but nonetheless). There is a lot of yelling and stern directing, which really didn’t seem unwarranted MOST of the time. We all handled this pretty well. However, I think my son just rubbed her the wrong way and she was constantly at him for something. It was his 5th lesson.. ever… and he couldn’t get his arms up over the water correctly and she pushed him under water without him having a breath. It was hard to watch. There were tons of comments about how immature he acted (he’s 5) and how it was a direct result of my parenting. He was more advanced than the others and part of me felt like she was just pushing him to be better but it got to be too much. He tried hard for her but nothing was good enough and the unwarned dunkings did not help his confidence in the water. I do feel like he learned and he is obsessed with trying to swim on his own. I think the progress was stunted by the dunking and berating. I could absolutely see these lessons benefiting an older child, however it is hard for littles.

Source: Google

★ 1

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★ 1

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★ 2

The owner will probably reply and chew me out so watch for her sarcastic and biting reply. :)

The swim teacher was great. My child learned some skills (although the environment might have stifled more growth).
The first class she was in was very chaotic so we switched classes.

The other male teacher and the owner really lack professionalism.

The owner insulted one of the parents and their kid in front of everyone. I wouldn’t have stayed if I were that mom.

The building and pool are very outdated and the building is very hot (like however hot it is outside or hotter).

Prepare yourself for experiencing a lot of yelling and awkward moments because of the yelling and critical comments by staff.

Ok, owner, feel free to rip another unhappy customer apart! :)

Source: Google

★ 1

My kid has a fear of water and I thought Machers could help him become comfortable and learn to swim. Instead Jeff made things so much worse. He had no compassion for the kids and only focused his attention on the more advanced swimmers in the group. When he did work with my kid who was visibly scared, he told my kid to stop with his ugly face.

Source: Google

★ 1

Do not recommend at all. Instructor is not qualified . Don’t even consider

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★ 5

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★ 5

Son has been going here since he was a little kid. Jeff and Joanne are great instructors, and try to run a very professional environment. Around the water, safety is important. They may come off as stern sometimes, but stop taking it so personally. This is a great place, and I trust them to do the awesomeness job they have been doing for years.

Source: Google

★ 5

Yes, go!! I took my 13 month old baby and she did so well! I know how to swim, but I had no idea how to start teaching a baby. Youtube videos were not helping. Joanne is VERY knowledgeable, very efficient, and very safe. Her instructions are simple, clear, and with systematic advancement to different swimming levels. I travel for work, so I am doing a few walk-ins. Everyone is on a different level in the tots class and I felt welcome. Low price, friendly place, and I got some fantastic instruction. Water temp was perfectly warm and I did not feel like I was soaking in chlorine. My little one loved the painted ceilings, floating toys available, and other babies. Joanne seemed to be able to watch everyone at once, give pointers, and kept the class moving. She taught how to use little songs to play with baby while teaching them skills. I love that she taught us safety limits and what to expect/look for while teaching submersion. I bet she is the type that can wrangle a bunch of kids in a loud pool and keep everyone safe and learning. Amazing. She has an impressive history so definitely learn from her whether you are a parent or a future swimmer. What a gem!!

Source: Google

★ 1

I would like to point out this review is 2 years old but I highly doubt after talking to people much has changed. The reason why I felt compelled to finally write a review is because I know it's the time of year people are looking for lessons and most places in town are full.
The daughter was 4 at the time of her lessons and Joann the owner dunked her under water without my permission or even telling my daughter. To this day my daughter is traumatized to go under water and was scared for the rest of her lessons. Her tone with students is extremely rude and all the people who defend it are ridiculous "this is just her method, she has been doing this a long time." I get that she has obviously been successful teaching students how to swim (I actually went there as a child 30 ish years ago) but maybe yelling and throwing kids under water might work for some but for others it won't. I have heard a lot of bad stories come from other parent friends of mine as well, so just don't do it. Go literally anywhere else!

Source: Google

★ 1

Do not take your children here. The owner, Joanne, is not mentally stable. The way she talks to children is unbelievable. She has some serious anger issues. Our niece took our daughter to swim class a few times and also shared the same sentiments on Joanne. We moved our daughter to a different facility and it has been a night and day difference.

Source: Google

★ 2

I enrolled my son based on the long-standing reputation of the school, and we tried to stick with it. Their methodology seems sound but the way children are spoken to is disparaging at best, bordering on verbally abusive at worst. As a trained mental health counselor sitting in and hearing how the older swim team members are treated was cringe-worthy. It’s a very old-school authoritarian way of approaching children so if that’s your style it could be a fit, but it wasn’t for us. Joanne on two occasions seemed to critique my parenting methods. My then-three year old was mocked and made to feel confused and uncomfortable. And ultimately after a couple months of weekly lessons we saw no improvement in his swimming skills. Very disappointing.

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★ 4

Great instructors and economical price

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 1

I have way too many bad things to say about our experience. Please see my attached screen shot photos.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

This is a great little swim school. I went to watch my friend's son practice, and enjoyed the environment. The people were friendly. The kids enjoyed their lessons, and enjoy working with the coaches/instructors. They have adult classes true, and I'm definitely going to look into them.

Source: Google

★ 1

This was the worst/ unacceptable experience I have ever had with my daughter. The woman in charge asked me if my daughter was adopted or a foster child I’m assuming because she is Bi Racial. Then she told me that she is not able to listen and maybe she should be in another class after only 3 min of working with her. My daughter is only 3 years old !!! The facility was unorganized and dirty. I will NEVER go back.

Source: Google

★ 5

Macher Swim School has one of the best pools for learning to swim in the area. It may look humble from the outside, but the warm water and appealing paintings in and above the pool are exceptionally helpful to young swimmers. In addition, the years of teaching knowledge that Joanne and the other staff possess are unparalleled. A first rate place to swim.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great Place. Staff are wonderful!

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★ 5

Macher's swimming method really works!

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★ 5

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★ 5

outstanding teacher and coach

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Our whole family has trusted and appreciated how the proper way swimming is taught. (Over 20 years). All the instructors are well trained. If you want your kid to start of with proper technique and be a safe swimmer, there is no better place for lessons!

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

These folks do a great job

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

My kids and I are taking swim lessons at Macher's. I have really enjoyed my lessons. Before I was afraid to put my head under water, and now I like to swim underwater. I am also working on diving into the water. If you or your kids don't know how to swim or even if they do, I know that everyone will learning something new. The Staff is very knowledgeable, and helpful to demonstrate different swimming technique's that you can use at your leisure, excersize, for sport, or as a profession.

Source: Google

★ 1

Would not recommend. Had a terrible experience and pulled my child mid lesson as I was concerned for his safety. I was refunded the money for the lesson.

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★ 5

Our kids have improved thier swimming immensely since we started with Macher. Great coaches, friendly and effective teachers. Take your kids here to learn how to swim!!

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★ 4

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★ 3

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

Margie is an excellent teacher helping my wife in water aerobics she has arthritis in both hips helps with her pain

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★ 3

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★ 3

Customer service isn't great. But the instructors are quite good. Pool could use updating.

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★ 4

Great staff for teaching young children to swim

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★ 1

Daughter went through her school. Was allowed to "sink to the bottom" (her words) because the "boy" (instructor) wasn't watching her. Now she's deathly scared of swimming. Macher wouldn't refund and only offered credit towards future lessons (not helpful since daughter is petrified of the water now). Bottom line, sent her to lessons with Macher and now she hates swimming and panics near pools.

Source: Google

★ 5

They taught my 17 mouth old son how to swim in about 8 lessons! Hey can swim under water and hold his breath for what seems to be a long time for me as a parent, but he does hold his breath until he hits the service while kicking and pulling his arm forward. They also taught him that if he fells in the pool how to get to the edge and pull him self up out of danger. They have just turned him into a little fish now, he loves going every time. would recommend them to anyone wanting to teach there child how to swim.

Source: Google