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Story of our founder

Seal Swim School was officially founded in May of 1979 by Therese Cullen Seal. Therese was born and raised at Wall Springs in Palm Harbor, where her summers were spent helping her family operate the swimming hole which was open to the public. She grew up swimming, observing the lessons taught there, and eventually lifeguarding until the spring was closed to the public in 1967. As she grew she continued swimming recreationally, but it wasn’t until her youngest daughters, Erin and Shannon, were in pre-school that she began to share the gift of swimming with the community. She began assisting the preschool’s weekly swim day, this eventually developed into her leading the program and giving swim lessons. During her third year, a few of the parents in her neighborhood asked if she would teach their older children as well. Thus, in May of 1979, Seal Swim School was born! With 3 students swimming all summer the first year, and growing to 9 students the next, Seal Swim School soon became a beloved part of the community. Therese continued to teach in her above-ground backyard pool from 1979 to 1992!

In 1992, Therese realized she needed a much bigger pool in order to keep up with the demand for swim lessons. She then opened the first Seal Swim School location in Tarpon Springs. Therese’s youngest daughter Shannon, taught swimming and managed this location until 2005, where she assumed sole ownership. In 2017, with the North Pinellas location busier than ever, Shannon and her sister Erin became partners and opened Seal Swim School West Pasco, located in New Port Richey, near Trinity and Starkey Ranch. Seal Swim School North Pinellas operated from the Tarpon Springs location until 2022, when we moved to our home at Palm Harbor Montessori School.

Seal Swim School is not just a business, it is a family’s generational passion for water safety and love for the community. With Erin and Shannon continuing the work their mother began, you may see their children (Therese’s grandchildren!) continuing the family legacy. Shannon’s eldest daughter Ansley has been an instructor for over 12 years. Her youngest son Beckham swims on our non-competitive swim team! Erin’s children also carry on the family trade, with her eldest son Cameron teaching a few months each summer in between his Minor League Ice Hockey schedule, and her daughter Sara-Beth also teaching each summer. Seal Swim School represents a family’s legacy; born from a lifelong passion for water safety and a heartfelt commitment to serving the community.

In 1992, Therese realized she needed a much bigger pool in order to keep up with the demand for swim lessons. She then opened the first Seal Swim School location in Tarpon Springs. Therese’s youngest daughter Shannon, taught swimming and managed this location until 2005, where she assumed sole ownership. In 2017, with the North Pinellas location busier than ever, Shannon and her sister Erin became partners and opened Seal Swim School West Pasco, located in New Port Richey, near Trinity and Starkey Ranch. Seal Swim School North Pinellas operated from the Tarpon Springs location until 2022, when we moved to our home at Palm Harbor Montessori School.

Seal Swim School is not just a business, it is a family’s generational passion for water safety and love for the community. With Erin and Shannon continuing the work their mother began, you may see their children (Therese’s grandchildren!) continuing the family legacy. Shannon’s eldest daughter Ansley has been an instructor for over 12 years. Her youngest son Beckham swims on our non-competitive swim team! Erin’s children also carry on the family trade, with her eldest son Cameron teaching a few months each summer in between his Minor League Ice Hockey schedule, and her daughter Sara-Beth also teaching each summer. Seal Swim School represents a family’s legacy; born from a lifelong passion for water safety and a heartfelt commitment to serving the community.

Find the Perfect Swim Class & Start Today!

Whether your child is taking their first splash or refining advanced strokes,
Seal Swim School has a program designed to meet their needs.

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Seal Pros Group Lessons (Typically Ages 5 and up)

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.

Adult Group Lessons: Teen – 10 years

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!

Adult Private Lessons: Teen – 10 years

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: Birth-17 months

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.

Non-Competitive Swim Team: Ages 7 and up

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!

Special Abilities

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.

Seal Kids: 3.3 years- 6.9 years

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: All Ages!

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.

Seal Pup: 18 months-3.3 years

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.

Float to the top!