Trusted by NJ families for 10+ years

No one is ever 100% "water safe"

But there is a clear path to being prepared

Start with a Water Ready™ Swim Snapshot

How it works:

1. Tell us your experience, or your swimmer's age

2. See the exact safety, survival and swim skills they should be developing
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3. Take lessons, and get a customized SaferSooner™ Swim Plan

get my free swim snapshot

THE WATER READY™ SYSTEM

​Unmatched Curriculum

Whether for competition or recreation,
​being ready for water means having skills and making good decisions.​

SaferSooner™ Method

We customize lessons for early-stage learners to create the fastest path to survival and safety. Let us build a survival-first swim plan for you or your child.

Parent Involvement 

Parents can accelerate a child’s progress, so we show them how to practice between lessons. We also teach supervision skills to help keep their children safe.

Water Safety

Asking permission to go near water. Avoiding exhaustion. Asking for help. We don’t just talk about water safety—we teach it, practice it, and expect it.

Open Water Safety 

After age 5, risk shifts more to lakes, rivers and oceans. Learn safe swimming for murky water, moving water, ocean waves and how to exit rip currents.

We even have parent workshops and online courses to help keep your family safe.

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Dependable and Flexible

Expert Instructors

Passionate, skilled, and trained to use our Safer SoonerTM method. Every instructor is lifeguard certified.

Private & Small Classes

Accelerated progress with private lessons & small groups that allow personal attention.

Flexible Scheduling

Schedule & re-schedule online. Book multiple lessons per week or siblings back-to-back.

Pay as You Swim

Lessons sold in packages and short-term clinics. No long term commitment or monthly billing.

LOCATIONS

Indoor and Outdoor Pools

Year-round lessons in Clifton, NJ.
​In summer we also teach outside in Montclair, Glen Ridge, or in your backyard.

find your location

Clifton Indoor 25yd Pool

Clifton Indoor Baby Pool

Clifton Indoor 25yd Pool

Glen Ridge

Montclair

find your location

PROGRAMS

Reserve a Time Block

30-60 minutes. Days and times that work for you. Even multiple times per week.
​Any age. Any level.
​Private, or make your own group of 2-4 students.

indoor

outdoor

Baby Survival Classes

Guardian-Assisted acclimation and survival classes for 6 mo-3 yrs.
​Learn more.

Special Needs Lessons

For those who learn, behave or move differently.
​Learn more.

Nervous Learners

If you or your child experience anxiety around water, we can help.
​Learn more.

SwimSurge™ Intensives

Our 4 day-in-a-row program. Fast progress. Learn more.

Backyard Lessons

Lessons at your home or condo/apt pool. Learn more.

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Earn a Water Ready™ Badge

We believe the culture of water safety needs to improve.
​Attend a clinic, or take an online course to earn one of our skill badges.

Bath time is the #1 place infants drown. It happens fast and quietly. Learn how to set up a safe bath, stay hands-on, and handle real-life distractions so your baby is never at risk. FREE online course.

Ocean swimming ≠ pool swimming. About 100 people drown in rip currents each year in the U.S., and they account for 80% of surf rescues. Learn how to handle waves and escape a rip current safely.

If something goes wrong, the first seconds matter. Learn how to respond safely, assist without putting yourself at risk, and take action with confidence when it counts. Course coming soon!

Pool parties feel safe--but they're one of the highest-risk times around water. When everyone's watching, no one really is. Learn how to set clear supervision roles, establish rules, and a safe set-up and closing so everyone can have fun--and stay protected.

Drowning is silent and often happens with adults nearby. Learn how to assign a true Water Watcher, eliminate distractions, and supervision with intention--so nothing gets missed. Coming soon

Your skills matter. Learn how to prevent common incidents, recognize trouble, and respond with confidence--so you can actively keep kids safe around water.

TESTIMONIALS

Parents, Kids, Adults, and Nervous Learners of all Ages Love

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

"My kids made so much progress compared to the other swim classes they had taken. They were practicing and learning constantly, instead of waiting around for their turn. A great value!" - Danielle B.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

"I was looking to refine. my stroke and build endurance. The style and approach were perfect. Highly recommend." - Peggy S., Adult​

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

"Highly recommend. Changed my nervous sensory son into a confident swimmer in a few short weeks."-Jane S.

"Helped my 4-year old get over a water phobia. Gentle, knowledgeable instructor."-Nancy S.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

"Lessons in our home pool were convenient and the kids made tremendous progress. The Home Pool Inspection was invaluable. We adopted the recommended safety protocols, and I have no doubt our family is safer."-Elizabeth, Glen Ridge

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Honest Truth

What age can swimmers start?

We start teaching children at 6 months old in our guardian-assisted Water With Me™ classes.

Do you offer adult lessons?

Yes! We work with adults of all levels.Whether you're nervous, a beginner, intermediate, advanced, or training for an open water experience - we can help you.

how long does it take to learn to swim?​

For kids: buckle up. If you want your child to have water safety and swim skills that they can use their whole life, be prepared to give them yearly lessons until they're at least 13. And water exposure matters. To retain swimming skills and confidence in those skills, practice yearly.

are lessons private or group?

We offer both types. Each type has its advantages. For example, a private lesson will give a person more individual practice time. A group lesson provides socialization, and some positive peer pressure that some students respond to. Call us and we'll help you decide what's best for you or your student.

what if my child is nervous? or it's their first class?

We're experts at getting young children acclimated to being with a teacher, and going into pools. If a child is particularly scared, we will right away tell them they don't have to get in, and they can just sit on the side and watch. Next thing you know, they're getting in.

what towns do you service for backyard swim lessons?

We service Montclair, Glen Ridge, and most of Bloomfield and Verona without a travel surcharge. For an extra fee, we have also serviced Verona, West Orange, Clifton, Cedar Grove and Caldwell. Fill out our backyard lesson form to find out if you're in our regular service area.

what are your safety measures?

All of our instructors are lifeguard certified. Each pool is equipped with rescue tubes fully stocked first-aid kids. Outdoor pools have emergency shelter, a bathroom facility. We're insured, regardless of where you take lessons.

what should i bring to swim lessons?

Everyone should have a swimsuit and towel. For those ready to go under water, a swim cap is required - it helps us keep the pool clean, and keeps hair out of the face so swimmers can focus. That said, if a person needs time to acclimate to wearing a swim cap, we will work with them to introduce wearing a cap. Goggles aren't necessarily required for under six years old. However, goggles sometimes help us introduce water to nervous or fearful students. We'll customize your goggle plan once lessons start. Learning to swim without goggles is a key safety skill - so we will work on this skill customized to the student.

what if my child isn't potty trained?

Keeping our pools clean and sanitary is critical for the safety and wellness of all of our swimmers. If a child or person isn't potty-trained, we require three layers of protection:
Layer 1: Against the skin: disposable, properly fitted swim diaper.
Layer 2: Re-usable, properly sized swim diaper. Many price points are available, including: Healthy Baby Swim™, Green Sprouts™, Happy Nappy™, Charlie Banana™, as well as store brand versions from Amazon, Target or WalMart.
Layer 3: Properly fitted bathing suit.

can i reschedule missed lessons?

For reserved time blocks you can cancel / reschedule lessons online outside of 24 hours before the lesson. For group intensives and workshops, outside of 24 hours, we may offer a pro-rated rate, depending on the situation.

how do i sign up for lessons at one of your locations?

Everything can be done online. For reserved time blocks, you can purchase a package of lessons, and then pick the days/times. Workshops scheduled for specific day(s) can also be purchased / booked online.

how do i sign up for a water ready™ instructor to come to my home/condo pool?

Fill out this form and we'll get back to you with a schedule. Make sure you're in one of the towns we service.

Reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.
Make sure you and your family have Basic Water Competency.

Swim Safe. Swim Strong. Be Water Ready.

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Serving Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Verona, Clifton and Caldwell, NJ

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