It is NEVER too early to begin swim lessons in a professional swim environment such as Seal Swim School. We will start teaching your infant to swim as soon as YOU are ready! Swimming has tremendous positive effects on an infant’s physical and mental development. Studies have shown that early exposure to swimming helps improve motor skills, increases overall muscle growth and development as well as stimulating and improving infant cognitive function.
Owner and Operator Shannon Seal shares her experience with her own daughter, Ansley: “She began her swim lessons at three weeks old. I was so excited to get her started; however, we had to wait until her umbilical cord stub fell off. It was the first week in June, when she was good to go, we all had a blast swimming with her and watching her grow over the summer. By the end of September, she was swimming 3 feet independently and floating on her back by herself. She was also walking and talking by 10 months. I personally attribute the swim lessons to her advanced learning!”
Seal Swim School North Pinellas has babies enrolled as young as 4 weeks. We still teach using the Seal method, just on a smaller scale. Whether your baby is 4 weeks old or six months old, it is imperative that you do not wait too long before enrolling your baby in swim lessons at Seal Swim School!
We recommend registering as soon as possible. Our classes are limited, and we have an extremely high volume of families who are part of our program. Registering early ensures you get your preferred time and schedule. Especially if you have multiple children and want them to swim at the same time, the sooner you register, the better!
Seal Swim School strongly recommends that you enroll your child in two or more sessions. There are many different objectives families have for enrolling their children in swim lessons; but many will agree that the main objective is SAFETY. Every lesson, safety is incorporated and practiced. The stronger your child is in the water, the better chance he/she will have if he/she is in a dangerous swimming situation. Each session you enroll your child in will make them a stronger and safer swimmer. We also recommend refreshing every summer. This will ensure that your children are ready for Florida summer fun- and you can have peace of mind!
Many of you have had the opportunity to witness some of our little two-year-old students swim the entire length of North Pinellas and West Pasco’s 25 yard pools. We are always asked how we get them to swim that far. It is simple, each of those little ones are enrolled in lessons EVERY session. The bottom line is the more lessons your child takes, the stronger swimmer he/she will become.
Seal Swim School is a private swim program that specializes in just SWIMMING. We are active in national and international swim school associations and we are constantly learning, developing and implementing new effective techniques every swim season. We also take pride in the quality and unparalleled training of our staff. Seal Swim School instructors are by far the best in the Tampa Bay area. The application process is extremely competitive and Seal Swim School is very selective in hiring new instructors. The instructors are required to have numerous certifications, endure an extremely difficult and lengthy training program and are required to take Seal Swim School continuing education courses throughout their employment.
Our clients ask us where we find such outstanding instructors all the time. Seal Swim School has a standard that only the very best can meet. We will not let “just anyone” teach your child like the competitors. At Seal Swim School, your child WILL be swimming independently by the end of the session. You will not need water wings, floaties or someone to hold your child all day at the pool. There is no program in the Tampa Bay area that can compare to the level of instruction, professionalism and quality that Seal Swim School guarantees.
At Seal Swim School, we take pride in our curriculum designed to get your child swimming in one session. Depending on your child’s age and abilities, the distances will vary, but you can expect them swimming short distances with their faces in the water, no flotation devices. This amazing success rate is what has earned us the amazing reputation in the local community- and after seeing your child’s progress in the first session, you most likely won’t want to stop!
Here is a checklist of what to have in your swim bag:
-Seal Swim School washable/reusable swim diapers (If your child isn’t 100% potty trained!)
-Bathing suit
-Towel
-Sunscreen
-Change of clothes
For their fan club (YOU!):
-Sunglasses/hat
-Water
-Fan (our facilities are outdoor, while our viewing decks are shaded it is summer time in Florida!)
It is completely normal for your little one to experience nerves on their first day, especially if they are a beginner. Our beginner classes are designed with this in mind, we have assistant instructors who will teach little ones how to sit on the wall and wait their turn and sit behind the class to supervise overall safety. If your child is having a tougher time during their first few lessons, we find that “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” works wonders in helping children settle in. When your child isn’t looking at you, they are able to focus on the fun activities in class and bond with their instructor! Little ones typically settle in very quickly using this method.
Yes! We don’t stop at beginners. Our program is designed to grow with your child. From Baby Seal to our Non-Competitive swim team, we have options for every age and skillset in your family. Our Seal Pros levels, which range from Sailor Seal, Smart Seal, Olympic (Bronze/Silver/Gold) Seal, and then Non-competitive swim team. We are truly so passionate about swimming for sport and exercise, which is why we offer these class options, when we see our students have that passion for swimming, we want to foster it!
Whether your child is taking their first splash or refining advanced strokes,
Seal Swim School has a program designed to meet their needs.
Group lessons are 30 minutes long and feature a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Classes are designed to refine intermediate swimmers’ strokes while building endurance and speed. These fast-paced classes provide the perfect balance of challenge and fun, keeping more advanced students motivated and excited as they continue to grow their skill! Seal Pros Levels are also offered in a Private setting, 1 on 1, for students needing individual attention.
We offer Group Lessons for anyone who is ready to learn a tad bit later in life! This class is so unique because as a group we will encourage, motivate and inspire each other to achieve the goal of swimming independently, confidently and safely! Adult and teen non-swimmers typically come to us because they WANT to learn! We take so much pride in our Adult and Teen swimmers. We love to celebrate their success in our program! We have Adult Group Lessons for beginners, athletes and any swim ability in between!
Private lessons are a comforting option for some of our Adult and Teen swimmers. The one on one lesson experience is personal and encouraging. The Adult and Teen swimmers will have a lesson that is tailored to the exact needs of the individual student.
Baby Seal classes follow a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, with four parent-and-baby pairs in the water alongside one instructor. This “Mommy and Me” format creates a fun, supportive environment that encourages bonding through a shared love of swimming. Babies are introduced to the foundations of swimming: balance, buoyancy, and breath control; while parents learn how to safely practice and reinforce these skills with their child.
Our non-competitive swim team is designed to teach swimmers all the ins and outs of being part of a swim team, without the weekend commitment to races or meets. Swimmers enjoy the camaraderie, conditioning, and technique training of a team environment while building strength and self-confidence for the sport. Workouts are carefully designed to prepare swimmers for the physical demands of competitive swim teams, allowing for a smooth transition when they’re ready to take the next step. Because its low commitment, this swim team also an excellent form of cardio conditioning that supports performance in other sports, and won’t interfere with weekend demands!
Seal Swim School is devoted to providing the best instruction for each child enrolled in our program. Children with Special Abilities are no exception.
Because families with a child with special needs are faced with more obstacles than most, we do our very best to offer an environment that accepts and challenges the child, regardless of the diagnosis. Our instructor’s knowledge of the student’s various needs, their experience and overall patience will help your child find success in the water!
Mrs. Erin Seal-Grande is the Seal Swim School Disability Specialist. Erin has her B.S. degree in Education and Special Education and her M.A. degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences with focus on Special Needs and Aquatics. Erin has spoken at conferences across the United States and Internationally as an expert in teaching children with Special Abilities to swim. In addition, Erin helped develop the Special Abilities course and certification for the United States Swim School Association.
Erin is the Seal Swim School staff trainer and consultant for Special Abilities.
Group lessons for this age feature a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio. These classes are fast-paced, engaging, and full of fun for our swimmers! Each level covers a wide range of skills, ensuring your child becomes a well-rounded swimmer as they progress through the Seal Kids class levels. From beginner basics to introducing stroke techniques, Seal Kids classes offer a curriculum that developes with your child’s swimming abilities!
Private lessons offer a personalized, one-on-one experience for students of any ability or skill level. Each lesson is tailored to the student’s unique needs, providing focused instruction, faster progress, and a personalized learning experience.
Group lessons for this age feature a small class size with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio. These classes are thoughtfully designed for toddlers, fostering a safe, engaging group environment while supporting steady progress and skill development. Our Seal Pups look forward to every lesson, classes are packed with playful, engaging activities that make learning fun! Assistant Instructors are assigned to these classes and will assist little ones in learning to sit on the wall and wait their turn in the beginner group class setting for this age.
