Gateway Sports and Pools, Whitestone NY

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR REFUND FOR A YEAR! DUE TO COVID MY SON AND NIECE COULDN’T ATTEND NOT EVEN ONE SWIMMING CLASS IN RHHS BACK IN MARCH 2020 WHEN THEY WERE SIGNED UP! WE ARE WAITING ON OUR CHECK OF OVER $400!

LACK OF RESPONSE AFTER I REPLY BACK WITH THE REFUND REQUEST FORM. NOONE EVER PICKS UP AND OR REPLIES TO EMAILS!

We joined Gateway for my older's swimming in the summer of 2018. Our experience was good until COVID hits. For the entire winternsession of 2019, we paid for classes for two of my kids, but the pool needs to be repaired so there were no classes for the entire winter. Then we asked if we can sign up for spring sessions, I forgot I paid for the winter sessions and didn't use up those credits yet. So I paid for both winter 2018 and spring 2019. COVID was here in Spring of 2019, with that being said, pool is closed. I reached out more than 10 times through call and email, even Instagram messengee. Received only 1 response in April 2021. Their excuses not being able to process the refund is due to limited staff. So limited staff means you still have staff. With morenthan a year of time, they should be able to go through all the files and process my refunds. I'm a single mom, I need those money to sign my kids up for other activities.

Tried 3 sessions. Spent about $1200.00. First evaluation from the begging level, my daughter just got into the water then the instructor called "repeat the level". No one really checked her swimming. No one gave her chance to show what she learned from the class. The water temperature was described as 80 degree but it is freezing so you may see instructor wear thurmo swimming suits. Every single time instructor is different. Life guards come to work late. The last reason I quit was, there were 6 kids under 1 instructor and there was a kid needed special treatment. Despite of the conditions, one instructor was with one kid who was kicking and moving foward others were left behind. 3.8 feet tall girl was with the kid who needed special treatment and the boy was 5.5 feet tall. The boy started splashing water toward the little girl. No one noticed but her mom only. Then I called manager who was about high school student age then told her divid the group into bigger kids and little kids but they yelled at me to change my time and date to come. Well then, I quitted. Never looked back. My daughter is now level 5 since she learned from somewhere else. I've seen others giving 5 stars. I've seen them. They work there. Trust me. You will waste money and time but most importantly your child may not like learning how to swim anymore.

The best, my son, earnedso muchconfidence, aftera mont he was swimming at a 7feet deep with no fear.
The instructors and the personal where very friendly. I miss them hoping they are able to open soon in NYC.

Despite the negative reviews we took a chance due to the convenience of the location and class schedule, and we couldn’t be happier! My son’s swim instructor is young but I feel that actually helps little kids relate to him. He is patient and professional. As for complaints about kids learning how to kick and using kick-boards, that’s pretty standard practice for children just learning to swim. I observed a few older classes going on at the same time and they were definitely progressing beyond the basics. I also found the experience of booking the class to be very professional. The office staff answered all of my questions. I did a lot of research on swimming lessons, and this was by far the best price for what you get. Of course nothing compares to private lessons, but I feel my son gets enough 1: 1 attention to benefit. I can’t speak to the instructor turnover rate yet, but I’m hoping the positive experience continues and will update.

Very disappointed with this place. They are money hungry people who take your money and don't provide service. I can't rate there instructors because I didn't get a chance to experience it. But I would recommend avoiding going to gateway sport and pool. And If you do attend make sure to get your paper work in order.you can't make up classes or get refund for anything missed.even if you didn't attend all classes.they don't care. I wasted so much money with them and didn't even get a chance to use the classes. They told me I would have a credit on file and they lied to me. They also falsified the attendance to my credit card company that we attended every class. I guess it's a lesson learned for me, insist on paper proof. I'm writing this because I hope you guys don't have to go through this, its really not right what they are doing. I tried speaking with the manger, won't even budge. So sad.

These instructors aren’t professional trainers. They don’t know how to handle children. Let alone teach basic swimming techniques. Waisted money and time. If u can’t teach how to properly kick in 6 classes then maybe you need to kick your teaching skills up a notch. Too many kids per instructor. The kids spend more time oN The wall waiting for their turn rather than actually utilizing all the time to learn and be taught. This whole experience was a nightmare. Absolutely do not recommend. I took videos of every class from start to finish. Will do everything in my power to shut this program down. Money is all they look forward to. Teaching these kids is not a priority for gateway.

I am a student in this school I feel that the school is very bad that it cost lots of money but those instructors doesn’t teach those instructors are fake they doesn’t even teach student they just let students using a kickboard and kick If your child want to learn swimming do not come to this school

I don’t know how this place can run especially when there is so much turnover from the instructors and kids. These are kids teaching kids! Instructors don’t really seem to take every kid seriously and classes are poorly run. I used to like this place and recommended it to my friends, but now with some teachers leaving, there is so much inconsistency. Better learn somewhere else.

My kids are going to the block institute for their class. Their first lesson with their instructor was great. No complaints. However, their second lesson is horrible! Almost EVERY week their instructor was mia and someone else had to fill in. They had the kids kicking in the pool until they can come to some sort of resolution. My kids instructor was mia so much that one day the "manager" had to teach and then another the "lifeguard". I honestly think my kids didnt learn nothing much this time and theres only about a few classes left! Whomever is in charge needs to get it together because this was a waste of money and time!

The instructors like Kevin and Maggy are lovely.but the administration IS ALL ABOUT MONEY. I recomended about 10 kids that are taking classes right now at John Adam.no counting my 03 kids that lost their room for the next level just because I forget my bag at home the day of registration, I asked the manager that next day I'll call the office and make the payment.the answer.you must have a least half of the money with you.

AHHHH something else.make to have 45 dollars extra for registration fee.that is ok.is for family.but if you want to register as adult (being a parent of a student already) you have to pay 45 DOLARS more. HELLO. THE ONE TIME FEE IS FOR FAMILY. WHO COÑO IS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY. But at the end we do everything for our kids.

Poorly trained instructors and life guards. My child almost drowned in class. Who lets a child drown in swim class.