Summer is now in full swing, so hopefully you and your family are finding plenty of excuses to spend time in the water. Rumor has it it’s going to be a hot summer in Cincinnati, and there’s no better way to beat the heat than splashing around in a pool or lake. If you have little ones, you’re likely concerned about safety with all of the time spent by the water and swim lessons are a great answer. Bear Paddle Swim School is now open in Florence, KY, and should be your go-to location to ease your swimming fears.
I took my two-year-old and four-year-old to the new, beautiful Bear Paddle in Florence, conveniently located just off of Houston Road. I was impressed from the moment we walked in the door – and so were my kids! Bear Paddle specializes in a kid-friendly environment and it’s evident in everything from the bright décor to the extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff. We were greeted right when we walked in, given a tour and had time to change and get ready for our lessons.
Both of my young children love the water and at times can be overly confident. I typically have them in puddle-jumpers, but 
my ultimate goal is for them to learn the basics of water safety and swimming and develop a respect for the water. Bear Paddle began working toward this goal immediately. My four-year-old son had a private lesson with Dylan, who was absolutely amazing! They clicked right off the bat and he continues to ask to “play with Dylan again” on a daily basis. They had their own section of the pool and the lesson was purposeful and methodic, while still incredibly fun and engaging. I was in the water for my two-year-old’s lesson, and we were with a small group. The instructors were also wonderful and took my daughter’s fussiness in stride when she wasn’t a fan of putting her face in the water. I was pleasantly surprised at the obvious training, consistency and level of engagement of ALL of the staff. It was like having a lifeguard, coach and teacher, all wrapped up in one fantastic instructor!
Bear Paddle offers several options for their lessons, which are 30 minutes in length. You can choose to come once a week, or more, and children progress through different levels. They offer private and small group settings, both of which are great for young swimmers. Their schedule is incredibly flexible and everything about the experience is child-centered.
The Bear Paddle Swim School in Florence is located at 4012 Seligman Drive. For more info on this fabulous swim school, including hours, pricing and contact info, check out their website here. Have a wonderful summer and enjoy your time in the water!
About Andrea:
A native Cincinnatian, Andrea has experienced life in all four corners of this city. After growing up on the west side, she headed north to attend Miami University, then moved east to Hyde Park and now lives in Northern Kentucky with her family.
When she’s not playing trains and doing the “hot dog dance” as a stay-at-home mom to her two toddlers, Andrea is busy writing for Cincinnati publications and brainstorming ideas for her next children’s book! With a newfound passion for fitness and overall health, she spends a lot of time at her family gym and loves to play outside.
Andrea worked in education for several years and has a special love for children’s literature. She loves showing her children all our city has to offer and enjoys sharing her finds with other parents. Her favorite spots include the Cincinnati Zoo (although she steers clear of the bird house), her local library and any playground.