Murray Callan Swim School

During the vacation my son kept asking about swimming lessons - he missed it so much. Once we pulled into the parking lot he started yelling, ""swimming! swimming!"" That kind of excitement plus the fact that he has learned so much is all I need -- we are hooked! Also, I have never had any bad experiences with scheduling - their rules seem fair and customer service has always been great. Pros: instruction Cons: n/a more

This school I thought would be great. The swim instructor was. I paid all my money in advance and the secretary told me that they would not be flexible on the days that I had already paid for. I was upset and told her that I would like to complain because I was never told that they would be inflexible. I wrote a comment card and was called by the owner shortly after I arrived home. I told the owner that I was upset and he told me that I yelled at his staff which was a lie. I told him that I liked his school but that I was upset that we could not change days because of religious obligations. The owner told me he was a callen . So I could not talk to anyone else about the matter. He was rude and he yelled at me on the phone. He demanded I apologize to his staff for yelling at them which I did not do. I told him that I would even though I did not feel that I had done anything wrong. I told him the kids would skip church to make sure that the kids finished the classes I paid for then I would go somewhere else. Then he really got mad and told me then my kids could not come back. I have never heard of a school that would not bend on one day and I have never heard of a school punishing kids because a parent disagreed with them. I would not recommend this school to anyone. I hope that the owner learns to have better skills in listening to parents in the future. \r \r more

This swim school is ideal for parents and kids - the instructors are friendly and experienced, the instruction is successful and the hours are conveinent for working parents. I have been recommending Murray Callan to my friends and I will continue to! more

My daughter and I are both taking lessons at MC and we are both loving it -- it has become a compitition between us to see who can swim better. I wasn't sure I wanted to start at the age of 32, but I did it to show my daughter how important it is and how brave her mom can be. Now I'm realizing it was the best decision I've ever made. The instructors are encouraging and they don't want either of us to do any thing we're not ready for. We owe MC a great deal of thanks for this life-saving skill. As for my daughter, I've never been so proud. more

Murray Callan has been such an amazing experience for my son amd myself. He started when he was 7 months old and is now 15 months old and able to swim to the bottom, jump off the side of the pool and swim to the instructor and actually plays in the shallow water swimming from side to side with his head under water for 10 seconds. Our instructor Brett always goes above and beyond to make sure my son gets the most out of his lesson. If Jake is grumpy and we have to quit early, Brett makes up the time in another lesson. Brett has gone out of his way to make sure parents with two kids can swim at the same time. Brett is excellent with children and understands how to get the most out of each child. Some parents complain about all the rules they have but in the absense of rules there would be complete chaos. I find Murray Callan to be easy to work with and very accomodating. Most places would not let you do classes in advance if you are going to miss or allow you to call in last minute to come later in the day if your son is sleeping. Lastly, I know friends who have taken their kids to the ""quick"" swimming lessons and it has back fired making their kids afraid of the water instead of comfortable and safe in the water. Like any sport, it takes time to become good at it and being a personal trainer I understand this better than anyone. Jake would not be this amazing and comfortable in the water if his lessons were too advanced for his level. Thank you Murray Callan and most of all thank you Brett!!!!!\r \r P.S. I just read the review from the temper tantrum Moms and anyone who can say those things about Brett needs to take a look at themselves. I have watched Brett talked to irrate parents and he is always calm, understanding and listens but does not allow people to abuse him or his staff. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Get out and enjoy what life has to offer instead of dwelling on not getting your way. The only one that loses in your situation is your child. Pros: Excellent instruction Cons: Nasty parents in the program more

My daughter has been a swim student at MCSS (San Marcos) for nearly 2 years. Brett Callan is her instructor and he is simply phenomenal! My daughter absolutely adores him! Having known Brett for some time now and having gone through a traumatic personal loss since knowing him, I cannot fathom the comments made by lajolla mom. Brett has shown nothing but empathy and kindness to my daughter and our family.\r \r With regards to his personality in the pool, I will use his own words: he is an iron fist with a velvet glove. He offers the perfect ratio of discipline and positive reinforcement. He gets to know each student and adapts to each student's individual needs. It is amazing to watch him in action. He truly has a gift.\r \r I have always found the office staff to be helpful and friendly. Marci is always smiling and is ready to help any way she can.\r \r At 3 1/2, my daughter is working on ""free-style,"" she can swim the full length of the pool, taking breaths as necessary, she can propel herself to the bottom of the pool without assistance, she can swim half the length of the pool on a single breath and she can navigate her way to the edge of the pool without looking up (an important safety skill). I am confident that she could safely exit a pool if she were to accidentally fall in and she is an excellent swimmer. In all honesty, as far as safety is concerned, we don't need to continue going to lessons, but we do, year-round, because she loves to swim! Brett and MCSS enrich our daughter's life and we are very thankful for that.\r Pros: Caring and helpful staff Cons: Parents who think they are the center of the universe more

As an avid swimmer, I was very pleased to see my niece attend the Murray Callan Swim School. She learned the proper techniques and acquired confidence in the water at an early age. She developed close and trusting relationships with her instructors, who appropriately took the time to allow her to acclimate to the water and develop her swimming stroke over time. All of the instructors and management personnel we interacted with were professional, courteous, and had a fun energy which provided a great leaning environment. Our experience with the Murray Callan Swim School exceeded all of our expectations. I would highly recommend this school to any parent looking for a safe and valuable experience for their child. more

As the parents of a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and a 1 year old life isn't always easy. When we found Murray Callan swim schools, and Brett Callan in particular, it made something as important and difficult as the kids learning to swim seem very simple. From the first time we came in until now, almost 4 years later, the staff has been nothing less than exceptional. The kids can't wait to get in the water and they are no longer afraid to push themselves and try new things. We couldn't be happier and we would, and do, recommend this school to anybody we know. Thank You MCSS!!! Pros: Personal attention, wonderful staff, and a great atmosphere Cons: some emotionally retarded parents can't understand the rules more

As an ex-swimmer, I know that this is one of the best schools in town if you want your children to learn how to swim the right way. It is professionally run and the instructors are excellent. The entire facility is pristine. Both of our children have attended and are currently taking classes at this facility. I know my children are learing to swim the right way from the start. here are rules about missed lessons, etc. that are straightforward and reasonable so I do not understand how anyone could be confused as some seem to be below. Professional well run organization that is second to none! Pros: Excellent Instructors, Well Run. Professional Cons: Parking - however they have an attendent when busy to make it easier more

Murray Callan Swim School has been part of our family for over 5 years! Our children are 3 and 6 years old and are ""poster children"" for the San Marcos swim school. They travel with us every summer to Hawaii . . . one of our favorite pastimes when they were babies was freaking out the tourists with our amazing little swimmers. As a 5-year-old, Sierra had no problem with snorkeling in 30+ feet open waters amongst the tropical fish and turtles. Her other adventures include kayaking and surfing. Murray Callan Swim School not only teaches children how to swim, but they also give them confidence. As parents, we are thankful for having peace of mind when we are near the water. In addition, we are appreciative of the office and teaching staff. They are wonderful with the children and are extremely professional and courteous. Pros: Consistent teaching method. more

I have been taking my child & the kids that were in my care (as a Nanny) to Murray Calllan Swim Schools for almost 15 years!!! I would not send my child to learn to swim anywhere else! I have seen & had experiences with other swim programs in the past & they do not even compare to what Murray Callan provides, not even close.\r \r Some people think that it costs too much but you get a much better service than you would at the Y or other swim lessons for the same cost! If your kids are important to you you provide the best teaching environment you possibly can for them & to me (& everyone else I have ever known to go here) THIS IS THE BEST AROUND! I only refer people to companies I truly trust & have had long term experience with. 15 years is a long history & I still believe highly in this company & their management.\r \r I love the program & my child has learned to swim much better than expected even with learning difficulties in a very short time. I HIGHLY recommend them to everyone that asks or that I know. I have never been treated with anything less than the best respect possible by all employees & Brett Callan has been GREAT to us! All schools have rules & you have to follow them. Example: They do require two swim non-disposable swim diapers for children under 4 even if they are potty trained for the safety & health of the children & instructors in the pool. \r \r With the water at 93 deg.& the teachers working with them one on one in rotation my child has soared on learning to swim & the kids that I was a Nanny for in the past are the best swimmers possible at their ages. This instruction has carried through many years & put them on the right path to be life long swimmers. They LOVE to swim & always get comments like ""Wow where did he/she learn to swim? That's incredible!""\r \r Learning to swim is one of the best gifts you can give your child! You are saving their life! Don't let your child be a drowning statistic! Teach them to swim & do it here! Pros: I would not send my child to learn to swim anywhere else! We love Murray Callan Swim Schools! Cons: Don't let your child be a drowning statistic! more

Our family had a terrible experience here. After showing up on time for all of his lessons, my son was kicked out of the program because of my asking why an instructor's illness was being counted as a ""missed lesson"" that could only be made up on a Saturday. I went home that afternoon and got a terrible nasty voicemail from Bret Callan, accusing me of all sorts of crazy things! All I did was ask them to reconsider!!! They humiliated and frightened me, and robbed my son of the advances he had made in the water and the bonding he did with his instructor. There is something very very wrong with this place - you have been warned. more