Testimonials

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…from the Experts

“Rob and Kathy McKay are among the country’s most successful children’s swim instructors. Their methods make swimming a pleasurable lifelong pursuit for young children and their parents. “Fitness Swimmer magazine.

“Rob and Kathy McKay’s gentle and caring methods of teaching have worked with thousands of children. They are also the best known national authority on deprogramming children who have been traumatized by overly aggressive swimming teachers and parents.”John R. Spannuth, Executive Director, United States Water Fitness AssociationFormer International Director of the Special Olympics, Kennedy FoundationFormer National Aquatic Administrator for the A.A.U Former President, American Swimming Coaches Association

“The Lifestyle Swim School, in Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.A., has the world’s foremost infant/toddler learn-to-swim program.”Ross Gage , CEO/Director, Swim Australia

“This is the most effective, loving and caring method I’ve ever observed. The expressions on the children’s faces are priceless!” Suzy Wohlford-Parham, Injury Prevention Program Co-ordinator, HR.S. Palm Beach County Public Health Unit. Facilitator, Drowning Prevention Coalition, Palm Beach County

“Rob McKay is truly a genius in his field. His teaching techniques are both creative and innovative. Moreover, they provide a safe and caring environment for an infant or child to develop confidence at their own pace in basic water safety skills.”James M. Katz, M.D., Fair Lawn, NJ

“Rob and Kathy have produced an outstanding program. This is how you want to teach your children to swim.”  Buck Dawson, Founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

“Rob and Kathy offer a winning method and philosophy for teaching a young child about swimming and water safety. It maintains the integrity of the child while promoting fun and skill acquisition.” –Steve Graves, Founding President and Executive Director, The National Swim School Association and Swimming Teachers of America; Executive Director, World Aquatic Babies and Children (WABC)

“By capturing the children underwater with video, The McKays reassure new parents that even babies can bond with water.”L. C. Webb, WPBT-TV, Miami, FL PBS Television Station

…from Teachers

Dear Rob and Kathy McKay:

How truly blessed I feel having the opportunity to share my experiences with you and to learn so much from you! You are a walking encyclopedia of information on all things aquatic and that is just the beginning. To be able to stand back and take in the practices that you preach and live through example the philosophies that are so critical in such young lives are priceless. The gift of not only knowing how to swim, but the love of
swimming is something that is personally a mission of mine. I wish to impact everyone I have the ability to come into contact with around the water to be a better person for it. Your successes impress upon me how that mission is absolutely possible. The ability to learn from your years of experiences, the discoveries you have made that have helped Lifestyle Swim School become the premier infant / toddler international school that it is, and to have such a heart of sharing that you do is breathtaking! That is just the beginning of how truly touched I feel. I am so excited to go back to Duke and put in to practice the things that I have learned. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great opportunity to learn from a master and am looking forward to future visits to come.

You are priceless!!!

THANK YOU!

Bonnie Adams
Duke University
Aquatic Coordinator

 

It is so great for me to take this chance to write about what an incredible week I spent learning the infant/toddler swimming program developed and taught by Rob and Kathy McKay at their Lifestyle Swim School in Boca Raton, Fl.

I had read their book Learn to Swim and watched the Diaper Dolphin videos to help me with my infant classes at my swim school, Swim with Kathy, in Chicago. The book and videos helped me, but my sessions during the workshop encompassed so much more when I was in the pool with Kathy and Rob and all those wonderful babies and moms. I got the chance to be involved in all the different swim levels and see how those wonderful little swimmers progressed. Their approach is so child centered and nurturing. The children there really learn at their own pace…and if parents, who are also learning about their children, try to go too fast, Rob and Kathy are there to guide them. I saw babies who have been in the classes for several months and some of the older ones for years. One thing about the classes, all the classes, which really jumped out at me, was that that there was no crying or any angst. The program is truly centered on the child and nurturing the child in a program that also teaches swimming skills. There was lots of learning going on…and not just swim skills. Kathy and Rob were both involved in education and it shows with the thoughtful and play based activities they use to help babies/moms advance through their program. Tenets of both early childhood learning, Montessori methods, and yoga/tai chi are all combined to make this program the most incredibly fun and stress free atmosphere you could ever envision your child learning in. I have been involved in swimming and teaching swimming most of my life and I want to say that I never had more fun or learned more than my week spent with Rob and Kathy. I know I will be going back for another week with them to continue to improve on my ability to really know and teach their method effectively. I also know that we were just getting started on our tour of the “little known to tourists” lunch places around Boca…and they really know some great ones and I want to continue those explorations:)

Rob and Kathy, I can’t thank you enough for all your help and am already looking forward to another week with you guys and those glorious babies!

Sending you my best,

Kathy Kelly
Kathy Crowley Kelly
Swim with Kathy-Chicago
The Aqua Building

Dear Rob and Kathy,

” I must say that your clients are blessed to be a part of your program” I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful and informative week I spent with you at the Teacher’s workshop. First of all I was touched by your hospitality and your genuine interest in us as participants. I learned so much during our talks and lectures and it was great to put it all into practice during our daily swim sessions. It is obvious that your years of experience have allowed you to perfect your gentle loving approach to baby swim classes and I must say that your clients are blessed to be a part of your program. I am grateful to you for affording me the opportunity to benefit from your knowledge of children’s swimming.  I also appreciate your continued support as I return to my own community to implement the ideals of the program.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Suzy    (Atlanta)

Dear Rob and Kathy,

I can’t thank you enough for the amazing time and experience I went through over the three weeks I spent taking the course with you.  There are no words that can describe the wonderful people you are, but certainly it reflects in the babies you teach and the parents you guide, as well as in the lovely family you have. this is for sure something I will never forget.  I’m looking forward to visit you again.

Cesar Ascencio, Esq.

San Salvador, El Salvador

…from Parents

I want to thank you for doing such a fine job teaching J. how to swim. Both of us really enjoyed the experience. You were able to give her the confidence that she needed to go forward…You’re great people who genuinely love and care for children. I will highly recommend this program to everyone I meet. Thank you. — Cindy

L. and I have enjoyed our summer with you. You are special people–playful, nurturing, respectful, and knowledgeable. L. has thrived under your guidance. Love and thanks. — Hilary

Thank you for providing parents with this wonderful program for their children to learn to swim. My son B. is very happy to attend his swim classes and has increased his confidence in the water. I am pleased with the gentle manner in which my son has been spoken to and handled during the lessons. Miss Kathy, Coach Rob, Coach Scott, Miss Jodi and Yoko have been so kind and professional. I am looking forward to my daughter, S., having the same experience as B. — Marlene

I wanted to thank you for all your help with class this summer. I can’t tell you how much both kids (and I) enjoyed it. Your class has been such fun for us over the years and the kids’ swimming abilities–they amaze me–your program is incredible. Thank you for all your kindness…see you next summer! — Tiffany

What can I say—we just love seeing you each and every summer and it’s amazing how much you have taught the boys and contributed to our lives. Even when we don’t see you for a while, we are thinking and talking about you guys! Thanks for helping C. to reach his new platform this year! It’s so exciting to watch him be a confident swimmer!! — Cheryl

We are so excited that S. has progressed through the Water Adjustment and Basic Skills Class and will continue on to the next level of class. Compared to other swim schools she has attended, we have found your swim school to be superior and wanted to express our gratitude for providing such a wonderful learning environment. Other swimming classes simply gave S. exposure to the pool and nothing else. Your classes have given her so much more. We appreciate the positive reinforcement which is naturally built into the teaching techniques you use. We love the fact that you work at S.’s pace in a very sequential manner always progressing to the next level or sensing when to slow things down on her apprehensive days. Most of all your class has given S. the confidence and motivation necessary to want to learn to swim. We are very grateful to have discovered your swim school and thank you for being such a wonderful partner with us as we continue in our efforts to train or little swimmer, S. — Penny and Mike

Just a quick note of thanks for the excellent teaching. A. enjoys the class and it’s amazing how much she can do at only 7 months old.

So we’re signing up again. It’s nice to have a learning experience be so much fun. Thank you. — Michelle

Thank you for a wonderful swimming session. You are very entertaining and full of energy…E. has certainly been thriving through your guidance. — Sharon

First of all thank you so much for all the care you show K. each day at class. Second we would very happily like to continue swim lessons during the next session….I wanted you to know that along with breath holding and comfort in the water, I have seen a big growth in his memory and listening skills. Thanks again. — Lacey