CAST Water Safety Foundation

Wonderful experience

The CAST team genuinely cares about kids and creating confident and safe swimmers. They are such a blessing to the community. Highly recommend them for swimming lessons!!

This place brings me so much joy and relief! I'm so grateful for their help with my kids learning to swim! I had truly misunderstood this place's philosophy and tactics but I'm glad they finally made it. I have 3 kids who went here (1.5, 5, 7 when they started) and they basically all hated Goldfish and FOSS (truly no diss at those two, they just hated that class structure even with me in the pool). I thought this was a "throw the kids in and they'll naturally figure it out" kind of place. (Do those exist anywhere not in my imagination?) They rigorously get the kid in the pool and habituated them to resting in a back float no matter how they got into the pool. It's so neat to see kids under 1 so quickly getting it. Soon my 5 yo was so good he looked ready to join a swim team and same with my 7 yo. My 1.5 yo would cry, don't get me wrong. They're doing some gentle flips, simulating falling into the pool but boy do they learn fast and having a 1:1 student to teacher ratio really helps. I even got to go in and learn how to reinforce things when we're were away from CAST. They also got to practice in full winter clothing to know what it might be like weighted down. One last thing, they were so accommodating with kids with intellectual and emotional needs. They could have told me they were special ed teachers cuz they were such pros with the couple of kids I saw. Could not recommend this place and style of learning more.

CAST is a fantastic organization, making water safety education and survival based swimming lessons available to families in the Chicago area as well as across the country. They also fund instructor training to bring self rescue swimming programs to underserved communities. The CAST team of water safety advocates are passionate, caring and so very helpful! CAST now provides scholarships in my community, benefiting local families who may not otherwise be able to participate in these lifesaving lessons. Thank you CAST team!

Ms. Renae has been doing such a great job with our 1 year old. Her patience and communication helped him quickly gain the skills and confidence to be safe and comfortable in the water. Highly recommend!

We had an amazing experience at CAST! My 4 year old son was super uncomfortable in the water and after our CAST session, he begs to get in! He learned so many life saving skills and the team at CAST is so wonderful, and makes it seamless and a real joy. Miss Nikki was awesome, highly recommend!

CAST Water Safety Foundation has been an absolute blessing for our family. Our son started lessons just before his second birthday, and now, as he’s about to turn 3, we’re amazed by how far he’s come. The skills he’s developed—especially the focus on water safety and self-rescue—give us so much peace of mind. The program itself is exceptional, but what truly makes it special are the people. Ms. Nikki, our son’s teacher, is a standout. Her expertise and talent shine through in every lesson, and she has a way of connecting with kids that’s truly magical. Our son thinks she’s hilarious and loves her so much that he’ll do anything she asks without hesitation. Her warmth, humor, and skill have made her such an important part of this journey. CAST feels like more than just a swim program—it feels like family. We’re so grateful for their dedication and care, and we couldn’t recommend them more highly to any family looking to build confidence and safety skills in the water!

CAST Water Safety Foundation is truly a magical place! All 3 of my kiddos are taking swim lessons here and I have nothing but good things to say! Their instructors are knowledgeable, gentle, and so encouraging. My youngest was 18 months when he started and my oldest is 7 so they cater to children of all ages. The facility is very clean and spacious and I love the intimate environment they created as it is very welcoming to all!

Cast is an amazing ISR program. The support and guidance that they give children is unmatchable. I am now on my third child training with them and it's such a delight to not only see their skills manifest but to see them grow a relationship with their swim coach. The consistency is amazing and the warm welcome from all the staff makes me feel so connected. Thank you CAST for all you do and the amazing community you have built. I have had my 1yr, 2yr, and 4yr trained here. Go CAST Families!

I am beyond grateful to have found this facility! The entire team is dedicated to providing support and knowledge to the community and all the families who come to be a part of CAST. I am so proud of the skills my 15 month old gained in 4 weeks of beginner roll to float lessons. (He independently floated the day her turned 15 months!)I never felt anxious to hand him over to his instructor Christie as I knew he was safe and learning a life saving skill. I wish all families could integrate this skill for all their children. I highly recommend CAST Water Safety Foundation! You will not be disappointed!