Swim season is never over at Goldfish Swim School in Closter. The school specializes in teaching children aged 4 months-12 years confidence, self-sufficiency, and healthy swimming skills.
Aquatics was always part of life for owner Jennifer Casper, who was a high school swimmer and lifeguard during her adolescent years. “My husband and I saw the demand for a swim school,” she says. “We have four children, and it was difficult to find quality lessons for them when they were young. We learned about the Goldfish franchise through some relatives, and we knew it would be a good partnership.”
They moved ahead with their plans, opened a facility in Wyckoff in 2015, and later opened in Closter in 2018. “We were so happy to be able to open in Closter,” says Jennifer. “We realized that families from the Pascack area were traveling to us in Wyckoff for swim lessons, so it was wonderful to be able to open a location closer to home for them.”
Goldfish Swim School has a unique philosophy about teaching young children to swim. “Children learn life skills best when they are safe, supervised, and able to explore. The fun, tropical environment at Goldfish is warm and comfortable for our students. The warm teaching pool is only 4 feet deep, which adds to the comfort level. Getting kids to attend swimming lessons can be challenging, so we make it as easy as possible with a colorful, lighthearted atmosphere.”
“We have wonderful instructors and lifeguards,” says Jennifer. “We continually seek out excellent staff, and our organization has many roles and opportunities to advance. It all goes back to consistency; our staff stays with us and grows with us. All of our management team members were promoted from within—and we have a lot of fun with holiday parties, staff outings, contests, and perks.”
Lessons are typically scheduled once a week for 30 minutes. “Consistency is key,” says Jennifer. “That’s the science of swimming. It’s important to come regularly so that it becomes part of the child’s weekly schedule.”
Maintaining your swimming regimen all year long--especially throughout the winter months--is also beneficial. “Starting and stopping lessons is not helpful,” notes Jennifer. “We see the best success in swimmers who keep up with it year-round. Older children can participate in our Swim Force for 8-12 year-olds. It is a non-competitive, instruction-based swim team and a fun way to meet other swimmers. It’s perfect for kids who may be interested in joining a swim team or just want to stay in shape.”
The school’s proprietary approach maintains a philosophy that incorporates teaching swim and safety skills while building character and having fun. “We stick to our mission, and it works,” says Jennifer.
goldfishswimschool.com/closter
