Donna's Dolphin Swim School

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I have been quiet long enough but feel that Colorado Springs consumers should be aware of some very unethical practices going on at Donna's Dolphins Swim School. I was employed there for a month and was shocked at the behavior of the owner, Donna. I was hired at 9.75 an hour based on my experience, .75 higher than what they start at. After a month I was informed that because someone looked up my pay and was upset, I would have to take a cut and go down to 9.00 an hour. I was then told 2 hours later that maybe we could "meet in the middle" at 9.40, but I better watch what I say to the Aquatics Director, who hired me. I had already told the Aquatics Director that my pay was being cut and when she confronted Donna about this unethical behavior, Donna then lashed out at me (in front of customers) for bringing this to the AD. I then quit later that day since I did not want to work for an unethical employer who bullies her employees. Other employees have left after being treated in the same unethical manner. I like to make informed decisions as a consumer and will not support a business who mistreats or bullies their employees. In my opinion and first hand experience, Donna does both and has managed to get away with it for a long time. I just want to bring to light the very shady way she runs her business to anyone who is considering placing their child in swim lessons with her or spending money there.

Stay away! Donnas Dolphins is the most unprofessional, poorly managed organization I've ever had the displeasure of walking into. From the moment I brought my kids into this place, we have been treated poorly. Regardless of how we were treated, we signed up and decided to give it a shot, being that I need my kids to learn to swim since we vacation every year. The instructor was nice to my son but didn't actually get around to teaching him anything. Throughout the lesson, I witnessed instructors (including Donna, the owner) leave their kids alone at times in the water, helpless. I witnessed them arguing with each other regarding technique confusion and personal issues, and worst of all I watched Donna jump out of the water, to deal with other issues. We were so displeased with the place, we won't be back and I wouldn't recommend anyone go. Especially because I found out later after the lesson that the instructors are not required to pass a background test. And they work with children all day. So not only are the instructors unclear on how to teach the program, but they could be straight out of prison.

After two years of group lessons at a community college, my oldest children could only swim assisted by floaties. When we moved to the Springs I enrolled my youngest in lessons at Donna's. She wouldn't put her face in the water at that time. Well, Donna corrected that. By the end of the first 10 lessons she could swim-float-swim unassisted. I knew she would be safe in the water. If you want your child to learn strokes and develop them, it will take more than the first ten lessons. In fact, my daughter has been swimming there for two years, consistently for the last year. She is 6 and looks pretty darn good doing her all four strokes, freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breast. My older two children have taken lessons, too. In a couple lessons each this swim school taught them more than the entire 2 yrs at the college. They have had fewer lessons because of school but they are strong swimmers. With fewer than 30 lessons (most of them shared together) they are not as proficient as their little sister in all 4 strokes. But they can get across the pool and look graceful doing it!! I highly recommend Donna's Dolphins. It is costly, yes, but it is an investment that could be the difference between life and death. My youngest, once fearful of water, now has a love of swimming. Two lessons a week is not good enough for her-- she wants to LIVE in the water. I wouldn't be surprised if this investment pays off in the future in the form of scholarships :) Thank you, Donna, for taking your time with my daughter and for passing her along to wonderful instructors to finish the job! Thank you for never allowing a child to rely on devices to swim and for making sure they learn the correct way the first time around!

I am the prior poster of the one star review. I want to amend it to be fair. Donna has bent over backwards to make things right for my daughter and I am thankful and humbled by her character. Thank you. Will keep you updated

I was excited to start my daughter here after getting referral from preschool moms.$ 400 and 11 lessons... My child is still not able to float! Too many new instructors who were not consistent with approach and beware of Caitlin... She is mean and rough with the kidsNot worth it!