Goldfish Swim School - Lakewood Ranch Waves as 100th Milestone

Lakewood Ranch, FL – Goldfish Swim School – Lakewood Ranch makes history, becoming the leading learn-to-swim franchise brand’s 100th milestone location. Located in the San Marco Plaza as the new anchor at 8205 Natures Way, Suite 111, the 8,500 square foot school will officially begin classes on Feb. 11. The school offers a wide range of swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years, utilizing the school’s renowned proprietary curriculum, The Science of SwimPlay®, which helps to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment.

The swim school is owned and operated by local residents George and Toby Loukmas, and their longtime friends and business partners Bret and Anne Edwards. Looking to break free from Corporate America, the team leaned into their entrepreneurial desires and embarked on a new journey of franchise ownership with Goldfish Swim School. As parents themselves, they understand first-hand the necessity for swim lesson providers that meet the needs of busy families and look forward to making a true difference in their community. Joining the team is General Manager Dan Yonko, who has over three decades of experience in the aquatics industry and has been a longtime resident of Manatee County.

“Learning to swim really is a lifesaving skill, and we’re eager to help friends and families in our surrounding communities stay safe,” said George Loukmas. “The unfortunate reality is that Florida leads the nation in childhood drownings. It’s our aim to combat these numbers by providing a service that helps in saving kids’ lives. With the curriculum Goldfish Swim School has created, kids are gaining confidence and comfort in the water through guided play, something that has been second nature all their lives.”

Goldfish Swim School is a dedicated learn-to-swim facility providing indoor, year-round swim instruction in a family-friendly setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes (max 4:1 student to teacher ratio), shiver-free 90-degree pools and a state-of-the-art water purification system. Families with kids of different ages and skill levels can conveniently have all their swimmers in the pool during the same half hour time slot and schedule makeup classes when necessary. Goldfish Swim School offers perpetual lessons, so families can enroll at any time.

In addition to swim lessons, Goldfish Swim School offers weekly family swims open to members and non-members, along with party packages. Facility highlights include an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons with complimentary Wi-Fi, private family changing huts, a snack bar, retail shop and warm, tropical décor.

As it gears up for opening day, Goldfish Swim School – Lakewood Ranch is hosting a Family Fun Night on Feb. 7 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. that is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend for a family swim, meet and greet with Bubbles – the brand’s mascot, snacks, special games and fun prizes. Those interested will have the opportunity to lock into pre-opening prices. Please visit the Goldfish Swim School – Lakewood Ranch Facebook Page for updates on more community events, including the official 100th milestone grand opening celebration set to take place Feb. 29 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. with members of the Goldfish Swim School Franchise Office leadership team.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this ownership team to the Goldfish Swim School family,” shared Chris McCuiston, who co-founded the franchise with his wife Jenny McCuiston. “As we continue to grow, it’s more important than ever that we partner with local community leaders who are just as passionate about water safety and community engagement as we are. It’s a surreal feeling to have reached our 100th location. This accomplishment is a reminder that the people behind this brand are the very reason we’ve found success and are able to impact the lives of so many children and their families.”

Each Goldfish Swim School is committed to spreading awareness on the importance of water safety as local partners of the USA Swimming Foundation - the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming which supports swim lesson providers with resources, materials and grant funding to allow for the opportunity for every child across the country to learn to swim. This, paired with free W.A.T.E.R Safety presentations hosted in local communities, and alliance with Brand Ambassador and three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Murphy, further cements each school’s commitment to drowning prevention.

For more information on Goldfish Swim School – Lakewood Ranch, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/lakewood-ranch/ or call 941-281-3777.

About Goldfish Swim School

Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay®. Goldfish currently teaches more than 138,000 students per week to swim and be safer in and around the water. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. They are currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with nearly 100 schools open, and an additional 130+ in development in more than 27 states and Canada.

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman PR, 847-945-1300, KMcNamara@fishmanpr.com