About
British Swim School of Gold Coast at FFC, located at 1030 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610, offers survival and learn-to-swim programs for babies, kids, and adults. Situated within the FFC Gold Coast facility, it provides a safe, fun, and gentle environment for all ages to learn crucial water safety skills and swimming techniques.
The indoor pool(s) at this facility are typically heated and maintained at a comfortable temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 29.4 degrees Celsius), suitable for year-round swim lessons.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? The reviews for British Swim School are largely negative, though some individual instructors receive high praise. Many customers report significant issues with disorganization, unprofessionalism, and poor communication between staff and management, leading to contradictory advice and frustration, including one instance where a customer was encouraged to return but later told they were "unwelcome." Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of lessons, with some children showing little progress even after two years. Facilities are described as chaotic, loud, and overwhelming, especially for baby classes, with multiple groups sharing one pool, limited changing tables, and messy common areas. Additionally, billing practices were criticized for hidden registration fees and charging for supposedly "free" classes. Conversely, positive feedback highlights specific instructors and coaches as kind, loving, gentle, observant, and caring, helping some children overcome fear of water and make significant progress. One reviewer ultimately switched to Goldfish Swim School, citing it as cheaper with better facilities.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
-
Accepts Credit Cards
-
Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
June 28th, 2024Christina Granfield
Becky- I had one conversation with your office. And again it was your swim staff that insisted that we stay that is my point again. Why would you insist that a swimmer stay just to tell him that they’re unwelcome doesn’t make any sense and show the absolute level of unprofessionalism. Wouldn’t you just have said that and agreed when I said I was going put my child in goldfish instead of insisting that they stay? Seems really odd to me. I was pretty unhappy with this particular location, but as I said in my review, the people were actually very very nice and always professional. It's just a location due to the changing room and lack of space. I did speak with the office manager about my frustrations with location at the Gold Coast and Lakeview, which is actually pretty far from us as well as the make up system what he doesn’t know is that we spoke to a lovely manager AFTER the women I spoke with were Jennifer and Elizabeth who really encouraged my husband and I to stay with our child and we told her we had planned on moving and she said that would be better for us to try another location I told her we thought we would try another Goldfish Swim School but she really really insisted that we go to another location downtown. she said we should put my son in the seahorse class and try that I did try the Lakeview location for a make up which did not work for us and again she told us that the downtown location would be better for us once we moved. I told her we would give it a try next summer and she said yes please do so that's what I did. We finished up classes in September and her advice decided to come back in the summer. So when I emailed them do what was advised and encouraged the office manager replied that since I was unhappy with the Gold Coast location again, which was pretty obvious he said we were unwelcome to come back. I'm not exactly sure why you would insist on having a customer come back and try another location just to tell them that they are not seems pretty odd to me. I actually had a really good laugh when I read his email because it's so indicative of a disorganization and lack of communication within the swim staff and the Office I'm sure what happened is that they have a very high turnover of instructors and managers so I'm sure that manager is not even there anymore. She was a lovely young woman who had a long conversation with me and my husband and really encouraged and insisted that we give them another try at a different location since we were moving. Of course Darryl doesn't know that because of the lack of communication between office and on the ground swim staff Two of my friends go to the swim school. Their kids have been going here for two years. They're exactly the same age as my son they still cannot swim. My friends daughter goes every Tuesday and Saturday she can't even float, but there are very few pools downtown and I figured I could teach my son on my own and he could have classroom instruction with friends. I just enrolled him in Gold Fish Swim School Cheaper and apparently the pool the changing area and the parking are fantastic.
June 12th, 2024Laura Ngoundo-Black
My daughter has progressed so much since she resumed taking lessons at the British swim school at the Goldcoast location. She loves her instructor and loves to swim. It is very motivating to see the progress.
October 13th, 2022so so
The management and coaches are observant, thoughtful and caring! They guide and teach the children with a smile on their face, and a song on their lips. Our kids have had an amazing experience and we highly recommend it to families looking for a swim school which teaches kids this important life skill.
January 16th, 2024Jean Matelski
My daughter used to be terrified of the water. The teachers at British swim school are so kind and loving and gentle. They give her the support she needs to get in the water!
November 12th, 2019Angela Maicki
Extremely chaotic, unorganized and unprofessional all around. Our first class for our baby was horrible. This company has several classes happening at once in one pool. It was terribly loud for a tiny group of babies and very overwhelming. Older kids in the lane next to us were screaming and splashing while there instructor was unattentive and barely instructing. The pool itself only offered two changing tables for babies so you literally had to wait in line to get your child changed. They do offer changing tents but because there are so many people in the pool at once those were all taken and there were personal belonging scattered everywhere making it a disorganized mess. I signed up for classes by phone and was told I could receive my first class free for my child. I was not told there was a registration fee or any type of cancellation charge. When I told the director of my experience they offered me a refund. However, they charged me for the supposed "free" class and a hidden registration fee. NONE of that was at all mentioned in the initial phone call. One class ended up costing me over $70. This is not great customer service. I would never recommend or attend the British Swim School, what a waste of time and energy.
Leave a review
Opening Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 4:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 4:00 – 6:00 PM |