Swim this summer

with Zen Penguin Swim School!

where the water is for every body, and every brain.

Weekly Classes are available!

The 10-week summer session begins Monday June 16th!

Monday

10-2

Tuesday

10-2

Wednesday

10-2

Thursday

10-2

Choose your 30-minute weekly spot!

Sharing our love of water with swimmers of all ages and abilities since 2006

Pricing

All lessons are 30 minutes long, with one lesson per week from June 16th, through August 21st.

Click below to learn more about our private pool, one to one, semi-private, and parent/child options!

Private Pool Lessons - $1500

Private Pool lessons are a 1;1 option, with no other students in the pool at the same time. This is designed for students who need extra space and attention - also offered for covid cautious families!

Paid in Full Cost: $1500
Split it into 3 payments of $525

1:1 Lessons - $975

1:1 lessons are for students who need a little bit of extra attention, but don't need the whole space to themselves. This can be scheduled as a way for students who want to move to group or semi-private classes to practice being in the water with other students, while maintaining a 1:1 ratio for safety!

Paid in Full Cost: $975
Can be split into 3 payments of $350

Semi-Private Lessons - $700

The ratio for semi-private lessons is 2 students to 1 teacher. This is our most popular option, to allow for social fun but enough focus to make significant progress quickly! There will be one other class in the pool with a semi-private class, but we do make sure that we are setting up the schedule to accommodate the sensory needs of everyone in the pool (so anxious kids aren't taking a class next to wild and splashy kids)

Paid in full cost: $700

Can be split into 3 payments of $260

Parent/Child Lessons - $600

Parent/Child lessons are an opportunity for parents of young and nervous parents to get in the water to learn together! PC classes max out at 5 swimmer/parent pairs per class. Most students are 0-3 years old, but we can accommodate older nervous swimmers too!

Cost: $600

Can be split into 3 payments of $225

Private Pool Lessons - $1500

Private Pool lessons are a 1;1 option, with no other students in the pool at the same time. This is designed for students who need extra space and attention - also offered for covid cautious families!

Paid in Full Cost: $1500
Split it into 3 payments of $525

FAQ image

1:1 Lessons - $975

1:1 lessons are for students who need a little bit of extra attention, but don't need the whole space to themselves. This can be scheduled as a way for students who want to move to group or semi-private classes to practice being in the water with other students, while maintaining a 1:1 ratio for safety!

Paid in Full Cost: $975
Can be split into 3 payments of $350

FAQ image

Semi-Private Lessons - $700

The ratio for semi-private lessons is 2 students to 1 teacher. This is our most popular option, to allow for social fun but enough focus to make significant progress quickly! There will be one other class in the pool with a semi-private class, but we do make sure that we are setting up the schedule to accommodate the sensory needs of everyone in the pool (so anxious kids aren't taking a class next to wild and splashy kids)

Paid in full cost: $700

Can be split into 3 payments of $260

FAQ image

Parent/Child Lessons - $600

Parent/Child lessons are an opportunity for parents of young and nervous parents to get in the water to learn together! PC classes max out at 5 swimmer/parent pairs per class. Most students are 0-3 years old, but we can accommodate older nervous swimmers too!

Cost: $600

Can be split into 3 payments of $225

FAQ image

Sharing our love of water with swimmers of all abilities since 2006

Parent/Child
Penguin Play Session

0-3 years

First Steps

4+ years

Beginner

4+ years

Intermediate

4+ years

Advanced

4+ years

Adults

18+

Our Location

Come swim with us at The Puddle!
The pool is heated to 93 degrees!
Address: 120236 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, OR

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are lessons/sessions?

Each lesson is 30 minutes long.

Summer Swim Session is a ten week session, with 1 lesson per week from June 16 - August 21.



FAQ image

We're already signed up for some other camps. Can we skip weeks?

There are no partial sessions available, however you are entitled to use our planned absence policy to bank make-up credits that you can use on our jump-in list for up to one calendar year from the date of absence.

If your summer is super checkered with plans, the best way to get in with us is through our jump-in list, where you can sign up for one-off spots!

FAQ image

What if my kid hates it and won't participate? Can I get a refund?

As always, it our my goal that every student and family has an incredible experience swimming with Zen Penguin Swim School. Our official policy is that refunds will be given solely at Zen Penguin Swim School’s discretion. That said, sometimes life gets in the way, or there’s a personality mis-match, or kiddos just aren’t quite ready to learn this life skill.  If you join for this. session, and your kid straight up refuses to swim, or life happens and suddenly you can’t make that time anymore, you can get a full refund for the unused portion of your lessons after the first lesson. If you have any concerns, please contact our admin team directly at [email protected] so we can make sure you and your kiddo are taken care of!

FAQ image

I have two or more kids - can they go at the same time?

We know that scheduling with siblings can be a pain! If you have two that are at the same skill level, we can try them in the same class, but we often find that siblings do best when they are on their own. Thankfully, we have two instructors in the water this summer, so even if they aren't at the same level, it is likely that we can find spots next to each other! Just let us know on. your intake form, and our admin team will take care of you!

FAQ image

How do I book a spot?

Below, there. is a button that will take you to an intake form. Tell us about your kid(s), and what times work the best for you and your family (the more flexible you are, the more likely you'll be able to get in). Spots are reserved in first come/first serve order!

My kid has ADHD/Autism/Anxiety, and has had a bad experience with other swim lessons. Is this the right place for them?

We would say, ABSOLUTELY YES! As an ADHD adult, parenting her own neurodivergent kid, our owner and founder, Coach Penny is not just someone who knows how to swim. She has done years of research on co-regulation, the nervous system, and how to help your kids move through their sensory experiences to reach their goals. She has not only trained our whole team to make sure every lesson we offer is neurodivergent friendly, but put in a lot of thought into making sure the environment and process is as accommodating as possible from the start. We keep groups small on purpose to provide an intimate, relaxed vibe for the class. Kids are never forced to perform skills they aren't ready for (including putting their face in). In our opinion, children who are afraid of the water have accurately assessed the danger of the situation, and we have no intention of gaslighting them about that. Instead, we focus on an information heavy path through those fears, acknowledging what's scary, and empowering them with the knowledge of how their body works in the water, and how to stay calm in order to keep themselves safe.

FAQ image

How fast is my kid going to learn?

Every kid's journey with the water looks different, and goes along. a different timeline. Some kids pick it up right away, and some kids take a long time before finally feeling confident. We typically tell parents to expect somewhat of an exponential curve when it comes to our lessons - it will look like we aren't doing much in the beginning, because we are laying the foundation of trust. Eventually, when they're ready, every kid reaches a point where "WHOA, they're SWIMMING!"

FAQ image

This sounds amazing, but expensive. Do you have any discounts?

We know that we are one of, if not the most expensive swim school in Portland, and there's good reason for it. Our instructors have collective decades of experience, and our approach is OT approved, built specifically to accommodate every learner from the start. Zen Penguin pays it's staff $50/hour (almost 3x the local average) to provide a real living wage to our employees, so we know they're as regulated as possible when they're in the water with your kids.

That said, one of our strongest values is community. We do not have any discounts, so that people who can afford us in full pay the full amount. This allows us to have a completely self-funded scholarship program that we provide to any community member who communicates a need. If you can't afford the full amount, simply mention this in your intake form when signing up and we'll get you taken care of! We have never turned someone away for lack of ability pay, but this program is subject to availability, so there is a possibility of being put on a waitlist.

FAQ image

How long are lessons/sessions?

Each lesson is 30 minutes long.

Summer Swim Session is a ten week session, with 1 lesson per week from June 16 - August 21.



We're already signed up for some other camps. Can we skip weeks?

There are no partial sessions available, however you are entitled to use our planned absence policy to bank make-up credits that you can use on our jump-in list for up to one calendar year from the date of absence.

If your summer is super checkered with plans, the best way to get in with us is through our jump-in list, where you can sign up for one-off spots!

What if my kid hates it and won't participate? Can I get a refund?

As always, it our my goal that every student and family has an incredible experience swimming with Zen Penguin Swim School. Our official policy is that refunds will be given solely at Zen Penguin Swim School’s discretion. That said, sometimes life gets in the way, or there’s a personality mis-match, or kiddos just aren’t quite ready to learn this life skill.  If you join for this. session, and your kid straight up refuses to swim, or life happens and suddenly you can’t make that time anymore, you can get a full refund for the unused portion of your lessons after the first lesson. If you have any concerns, please contact our admin team directly at [email protected] so we can make sure you and your kiddo are taken care of!

I have two or more kids - can they go at the same time?

We know that scheduling with siblings can be a pain! If you have two that are at the same skill level, we can try them in the same class, but we often find that siblings do best when they are on their own. Thankfully, we have two instructors in the water this summer, so even if they aren't at the same level, it is likely that we can find spots next to each other! Just let us know on. your intake form, and our admin team will take care of you!

How do I book a spot?

Below, there. is a button that will take you to an intake form. Tell us about your kid(s), and what times work the best for you and your family (the more flexible you are, the more likely you'll be able to get in). Spots are reserved in first come/first serve order!

My kid has ADHD/Autism/Anxiety, and has had a bad experience with other swim lessons. Is this the right place for them?

We would say, ABSOLUTELY YES! As an ADHD adult, parenting her own neurodivergent kid, our owner and founder, Coach Penny is not just someone who knows how to swim. She has done years of research on co-regulation, the nervous system, and how to help your kids move through their sensory experiences to reach their goals. She has not only trained our whole team to make sure every lesson we offer is neurodivergent friendly, but put in a lot of thought into making sure the environment and process is as accommodating as possible from the start. We keep groups small on purpose to provide an intimate, relaxed vibe for the class. Kids are never forced to perform skills they aren't ready for (including putting their face in). In our opinion, children who are afraid of the water have accurately assessed the danger of the situation, and we have no intention of gaslighting them about that. Instead, we focus on an information heavy path through those fears, acknowledging what's scary, and empowering them with the knowledge of how their body works in the water, and how to stay calm in order to keep themselves safe.

How fast is my kid going to learn?

Every kid's journey with the water looks different, and goes along. a different timeline. Some kids pick it up right away, and some kids take a long time before finally feeling confident. We typically tell parents to expect somewhat of an exponential curve when it comes to our lessons - it will look like we aren't doing much in the beginning, because we are laying the foundation of trust. Eventually, when they're ready, every kid reaches a point where "WHOA, they're SWIMMING!"

This sounds amazing, but expensive. Do you have any discounts?

We know that we are one of, if not the most expensive swim school in Portland, and there's good reason for it. Our instructors have collective decades of experience, and our approach is OT approved, built specifically to accommodate every learner from the start. Zen Penguin pays it's staff $50/hour (almost 3x the local average) to provide a real living wage to our employees, so we know they're as regulated as possible when they're in the water with your kids.

That said, one of our strongest values is community. We do not have any discounts, so that people who can afford us in full pay the full amount. This allows us to have a completely self-funded scholarship program that we provide to any community member who communicates a need. If you can't afford the full amount, simply mention this in your intake form when signing up and we'll get you taken care of! We have never turned someone away for lack of ability pay, but this program is subject to availability, so there is a possibility of being put on a waitlist.

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120236 NE Ainsworth Circle, PORTLAND, OR 97206

(971)373-6649