Testimonials

“I was so surprised to see that panicked look missing from Zack’s face. Every time his head came up out of the water, you could see him beginning to relax. He wanted so badly to swim but had been afraid. I knew it would take a special person to help him feel confident. I didn’t mind the 45-minute trek from North County, believing John might make the difference between success and failure for Zack. Glad to say I was right!

“When I began my swimming lessons with John, I was overwhelmed by my fear of deep water; so much so that I cried during my first journey into the deep end of the pool. I was absolutely convinced that I was going to drown, even though I was supported by a floatation device! However, by the end of the fourth class, I was able to jump off the diving board twice. I would absolutely recommend John to anyone who believes they can not be comfortable in deep water. John’s knowledge, techniques, and teaching style will lead to a tremendous amount of success.

“My son and I moved to S.D. from the Midwest where he had swim lessons each summer but had never felt comfortable in the water. With our move came a new lifestyle, including a lot of time around water. I noticed he did not want to swim in front of his friends and wasn’t enjoying water activities because of his lack of confidence and skills. After a lot of shopping around, I found John. As a single mom, I have to admit I was nervous about going to a stranger’s house, but I did my homework and took a leap of faith. After 4-25 min. lessons, John had my son loving to swim and gave him the basic skills he needs to be safe in the water, plus a few fancy moves too. I am so grateful for John’s help and overjoyed that my child can enjoy himself; and, I can feel more relaxed with him in the water too. Every parent with a hesitant or reluctant child near water should invest in a few lessons with John…I am glad I did.

“I am 39 years old and have always been uncomfortable in water.  Basic training in the past had yielded unsatisfactory results for me.  As I began my lessons with John, I brought with me a sense of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.  From John, I expected an instructor with patience; and, the ability to work with an un-coordinated, novice swimmer. What I actually learned from John has far surpassed my expectations: patience, encouragement and helpful techniques all imparted with a great sense of humor! I now feel comfortable enough in the water to begin exploring the sport of surfing which, in the past, I could only watch from a distance. Thanks John for helping me learn a skill that will carry me through the rest of my life in a very rewarding way!”

“I brought my 3 children to John to learn how to swim. I am beyond happy and very pleased. My 5 year-old twins learned to swim across the pool in less than 4 lessons (at first, one of them didn’t even want to get his face wet)! My 3 year-old learned in a few lessons to get her face under, back float, and turn from front to back — an essential survival skill. John is very good at what he does; he’s patient, personable, and focused. He made the lessons fun for my kids. I have taken my kids to other swim lessons over the years, and they learned far more in one session with John than in years at the YMCA. You truly get what you pay for.”

Despite living most of my childhood on a Pacific island; living in southern CA beach cities; and having a wife and three kids; all avid swimmers, I was a 47 year old, professional male who couldn’t swim.  Though I loved the ocean and was an avid snorkeler (with the use of a flotation vest), I was haunted by the fear of drowning.  I decided to do something about it…that’s when I met John Tarney.  John’s vast experience of what works helping people overcome their obstacles to swimming, be they physical and/or mental, truly puts him in a class by himself.  I had tried other types of swimming instruction with little to no success. John’s personalized, patient approach helped me overcome my fear and has put me on the road to making swimming a part of my life.  Don’t get me wrong…it takes commitment and practice; and, I still have work to do, but I can sincerely state that John has worked what I consider a “miracle” in helping me enjoy the water.  I highly recommend him.

John’s class was just about a miracle!  My two boys (ages 9 & 3) had never had swimming lessons. They loved the water, but clung to the sides of pools–always afraid. After only 4 lessons with John, both of them were like new kids!  Paul, the oldest, was really swimming!  On the last day of lessons, he was even jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side!  Jacob, the 3 yr. old, was going under water without holding his nose!

Since then, we’ve been on small vacations where the pool is our number one stop! We’re even thinking of putting in our own. The boys are now both life-long swimmers thanks to John.  They can’t wait for more lessons next summer! We’ll be there every summer for as long as John will have us!!  Thanks!

Before he started with you, Simon (7) was very tentative in the water, not at all bold. He had been to a couple of other places in the preceding 2 summers but I think he was rushed too much. He seemed to react well to your more measured approach and went from hardly putting his face in the water to diving underwater to retrieve rings and such you had placed there for him.

His comfort in the water improved immeasurably and he ended his lessons by being able to swim short distances with his face in the water. Kerry and I were so impressed with his progress we were just sorry we had not started him earlier in the summer. He enjoyed his lessons with ‘John Tarney’ as he calls you, and we look forward to coming back next year.

I was scheduled to leave on vacation to Costa Rica and I did not want to spend another vacation “fearing” the pool. When I first started my swim lessons with John I would just “freeze” at the very thought of going into the deep end! John made me feel comfortable enough to try; by the end of my fourth lesson I swam across his pool! In Costa Rica I enjoyed some gorgeous night swimming at the foot of a very active volcano, it was awesome! I am now practicing in my own pool, (which I had never before enjoyed) at least 3 times a week. John, you are the greatest teacher. I will definitely be back for some technique lessons. Thanks just doesn’t seem like enough, but, THANK YOU JOHN

Hi John,
As a 39 year old woman who never swam as a kid, and who has been through different swimming instructors as an adult, without much success, I came to John wanting to finally get my swimming right. I have the right attitude and physical ability, but John provided the skills that I needed to be more confident and efficient in the water. I am a marathon runner with strong legs and a lot of muscle weight; I tend to muscle my way in the water. John thought me to relax, to just glide, and let go of my fears. I felt that I was able to conquer some of my fears; and, the skills I learned made swimming easier. John is patient and understanding; he brought out a lot of “aha!” moments in my swimming. He is straightforward, a no-nonsense kind of guy who gets things done.

John is a great swimming teacher; he removed the greatest fear (of drowning) from my mind. My husband and I decided to go to Hawaii where I was hoping I might snorkel. However, with the fear of drowning in my mind, I didn’t think it would be possible. It was then that I signed up for 4 lessons with John.

His pool is very clean and warm. On my first day, when John told me that the first lesson would be in the jacuzzi, I was relieved because even the sight of the main pool was scary to me. He made me feel very comfortable with water and taught me his basic tricks — they really work!

Even after I learned to float I was scared to go in the main pool, but John makes it a lot easier with his relaxed manner and unique techniques. I think I was worse than a 5-year-old kid when it came to learning how to swim, but John has great patience. John knew why I wanted to learn, so he taught me how to snorkle during my last lesson — I learned snorkeling as well!

“I wasn’t afraid of the water, but I was a very poor swimmer…flailing my arms, and running out of steam quickly. In just 4 short lessons John taught me the “secrets” of swimming—how to breathe, how to kick, how to keep from getting tired. He even overcame my fear of diving. I decided to learn how to swim so I would be able to snorkel on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. I am looking forward to swimming with the sea lions and turtles…something I couldn’t even imagine doing last year. Thank you, John. Now, it’s only a question of practice….”

My son was partially fearful of the water when he came to John and would only swim with swimmies. After only 4 lessons he was swimming without swimmies and completely unafraid of the water! He has been enjoying the water all summer. I highly recommend using John for your swim lessons, it is well worth it.

Dear John: Thank you for working with my son(15). He has always had a fear of swimming under water. It was so bad he would have panic attacks. After only 2 lessons with you, he has lost his fear. Your patience, understanding, and teaching methods were amazing. He now has confidence when he swims. He is even talking about playing water polo now!

At the age of 48, after spending most of my life terrified of being in the water I decided to take swim lessons. The first day, I could not even put my face near the water; yet, on the fourth day I was jumping into the deep end. This would not have been possible without John’s patience and understanding, I honestly didn’t think it was possible that I could be a confident swimmer and thanks to John I am. To those of you who are thinking about taking swim lessons, don’t put it off anymore. Go for it, your summers will be a lot more fun!

“Thank you again John for the excellent instruction you provided to my son, Michael. I brought him to you for private instruction because the group lessons he had taken previously at fitness clubs were inadequate. At the age of thirteen he needed to work on improving his skills in a private setting. We could not have found a better venue or instructor. He has been practicing his improved skills with new confidence.”

Hi John: I just wanted to thank you for working with Jacob (7) today. He said that his swimming lesson today was “ultra fun” and that you were the best teacher he has ever had. We spent the afternoon in the pool and he was swimming so very smoothly. His breathing seemed relaxed and very natural. His kicking and strokes were more efficient than I imagined possible after one lesson. Thank you again and we look forward to lessons from you in the future.”

John: I could thank you a million times and it wouldn’t be enough to show my gratitude. After 16 years of family vacations in which I would hide whenever it was time to go to the beach or the pool, I am now confident in the water. More importantly, I’m having a lot of fun with my three girls. In less than one week, I went from feeling like I was drowning to jumping into the deep end, treading water, and swimming into the shallow end. In addition to improving my daughters’ skills, your patience and encouragement have been priceless!

“When I began last summer with John, I had a serious fear of drowning. In the past, I would always swallow water – I just wasn’t comfortable. After 4 lessons with John, I was able to jump into the deep end of the pool, tread water for a few minutes, and swim back into the shallow end. I bought a boat and look forward to spending more time on the water with my family.”

“I’m in the Navy; yet, I couldn’t swim when I first contacted Mr. John. I’m one of those rare individuals who can’t float and always got water up my nose – I just couldn’t relax in the water. Mr. John taught me the basics. I now know how to clear my nose and relax in the water. I can now float, use a kickboard, and am continuing to develop my stroke.”

“My two girls, (11 and 7) love their lessons with John. Neither of them knew how to swim when they began, and my eldest had a real fear of the water. They both get cold quickly, so it really helped that John begins his lessons in the Jacuzzi. I was amazed to see my eldest swimming across to me in the big pool after just 4 lessons. I completely trust my girls with John and know that they are eager to begin more lessons with him this summer.”

“I was determined to learn how to swim, but I didn’t have a pool and I didn’t know any instructors. Also, I was just 15, so I didn’t even have transportation! I found John on the Internet. He is really a great teacher and very patient. I signed up for a package of 6 private lessons that John scheduled around my schedule. After just 4 lessons with John I was swimming! I still can’t believe it. Although I am not yet as good as I want to be; I am no longer afraid in the water and think I am only going to get better.”

“I recently found myself in the need to learn how to swim. I asked a friend who teaches kids to swim, to meet me at the local pool, and help me learn how to swim. When we got to the pool, she began giving instruction on the proper techniques: breathing, stroke, arm and head placement.

Unfortunately, the whole thing wasn’t clicking. John was in the lane next to us, and overheard her giving instruction, and of course my frustration for not getting it. John took time out of his workout and began to help me. He spent the next hour with me. Giving better instructions, breaking it down to a level where I could understand. After that hour I was swimming. In one short hour, I had all the skills and know how to swim long distances. Of course, it takes practice and I wasn’t immediately swimming a mile. That one session with John provided me with the confidence I needed to continue with swimming, and I’m proud to say that I can swim well over 2 miles now. I recommend John to anyone, adults, kids, he was a savior for me, and I’m sure he will be for many other people.”