Parents in Vancouver will surely welcome the opening of two new swim schools this summer, alleviating the rush to secure spots for their children in swimming lessons.
Goldfish Swim School has already opened its doors at the east end of Vancouver Mall in April, while Emler Swim School is set to debut its facilities at 8810 N.E. Fifth Ave. in Hazel Dell within the week.
The decision to expand in the Vancouver area stems from the community’s pressing need for swimming instruction, as highlighted by Bryan Ocava, the regional manager for Goldfish Swim School.
Families have shared stories of waking up at dawn to register online for swimming classes, only to find themselves placed on a waitlist.
In just two months of operation, Goldfish Swim School has managed to enroll around 600 students each week, with ambitions to boost that number to 2,500 students.
Ocava noted that their Vancouver location is significantly larger than other Goldfish facilities, allowing for a potentially higher capacity.
Both Goldfish and Emler have chosen traditional retail spaces for their schools, which will house 90-degree in-ground pools, along with changing facilities and waiting areas designed to keep parents informed about their children.
Optimism is high among both companies regarding their ability to meet the area’s growing demand for swimming lessons.
Craig Kinney, the vice president of real estate and operations services at Emler Swim School, expressed confidence in their capability to find creative solutions to meet community needs.
Vancouver parents have faced ongoing challenges in enrolling their kids in swimming lessons at public pools due to a shortage of lifeguards and swimming instructors.
In 2023, this staffing issue led Vancouver Parks and Recreation to reduce pool hours by 30 percent, adding to the frustration of families.
Even though the city continues grappling with a nationwide lifeguard shortage, Melody Burton, spokesperson for Vancouver Parks and Recreation, indicated that they have gradually increased pool hours since last year.
“With our ongoing efforts, we are working toward getting fully staffed,” Burton stated.
The demand for swimming lessons and family swim times has remained high since the pandemic restrictions were lifted, further highlighting the necessity of new swim schools in the area.
While various smaller swim schools have emerged in recent years, spots at those facilities can fill up quickly, underscoring the need for more options.
Kinney articulated the mission of Emler Swim School: “Our job is to come alongside and make sure that there’s opportunity for kids to learn to swim.”
Goldfish Swim School offers swim lessons starting at $40 each, with 30-minute lessons suitable for kids aged from 4 months up to 12 years.
They also require a $35 annual membership fee for every swimmer.
Emler, on the other hand, provides lessons beginning at $35 per session, and these lessons can last between 30 minutes to an hour, targeting children from as young as 2 months old.
Though Emler may host family swim time for enrolled members, details are still being confirmed on this aspect.
In contrast, Goldfish currently provides public access to family swim times several times a week, catering to a broader audience.
image source from：https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/jun/14/two-new-swim-schools-take-the-plunge-in-vancouver/
