what people are saying..
March 2020
Pam, The Swim “Whisperer”
My son Jack had taken 2 sessions at another aquatic center and did not like swimming nor was he progressing in learning how to swim. We were introduced to Pam via a friend of Jacks and decided to try her as we were desperate to have our son learn how to swim. Boy, we were amazed with Pam’s ability to connect with the kids and how they trusted her. Jack immediately took to Pam and was no longer terrified of the pool or going under the water, he was a completely different kid around her and in just a few sessions was comfortable going under water and swimming. He enjoys going to class now and continues to progress in swimming. If you need an expert with kids, I highly recommend Pam.
Pam N.
Croton-On-Hudson
February 2020
Pam is simply the best. Our son was so afraid of putting his face in the water and did not want to learn how to swim at all. Thanks to Pam's endless patience, willingness to go at his pace, and amazing ability to help him feel comfortable and safe, he now LOVES swimming! He has gained a ton of confidence and now looks forward to his lesson each week. We are so impressed with his progress and extremely grateful for Pam!
Brenda
Croton-On-Hudson
February 2020
Pam is such a great teacher. She takes her time with the kids. My son loves her classes. I love the way Pam interacts with the kids. She is very kind and patient.
Jessica Ganpat
Cortlandt Manor, NY
September 2019
Pam is an amazing swim instructor, My son Anthony was terrified of the water prior to him taking lessons with Pam. Now he loves going into the water and can't wit until his next lesson comes around. Most important he really trusts her. As a result she has made him feel so comfortable in the water. She is so patient and very kind. I am so happy we found her.
Sally
November 2018
My husband and I have been absolutely thrilled at the progress our 3.5-year-old has made in such a short time working with Pam. She is incredible with him in the water-supportive while also challenging him- and she also makes it fun. He looks forward to his lessons and I have such peace of mind knowing that he is safe near water due to his newfound swimming skills. I would highly recommend Pam as a swim instructor for any age group and we can't wait to start our 1-year-old with her next.
Megan S.
Croton-On Hudson
We highly recommend Pam for private or group lessons! She has worked with both my kids (10 and 6) and they advanced quickly. She is patient and easily gets the children comfortable and feeling safe. My son wanted to quit his first round of swim lessons with another teacher (would run out of the pool crying) Pam saw what was going on from across the pool and eased him back in. We then switched to private lessons with her and his confidence was restored and he looked forward to the lessons. We just signed up for a summer refresher and the kids are excited!
Pam is a fine teacher. I never saw my son work as hard as he does with Pam. She gets him to go just beyond his comfort zone. He's a good swimmer but he will get better and better with Pam. Perhaps more important is that he is learning that if he is to improve his swimming, or any other skill, he must work hard. An important life lesson.
UPDATE May 2014: Colin is now competing on the Kicking Beta's swim team!
UPDATE March 2018: Colin is now a certified lifeguard.
Wanda
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
Summer 2012
Pam has been teaching my daughter to swim for years. She is patient, fun and an experienced and dedicated teacher. She is also a lovely person and a pleasure to know in every sense. My daughter looks forward to her lessons each week and has become a stronger swimmer with Pam at her side!
Paula Resnick
Pound Ridge, NY
"My daughter, 4, couldn't swim without her swimmies and seemed nervous in the water. After 5 minutes in the pool with Pam, Maya started swimming on her own and hasn't stopped. Pam is great and she also taught my son strategies to be a stronger swimmer."
Laura
Armonk, NY
Pam is the reason Isabel has all of those blue ribbons on her swim team wall at home.
Holly Mackin Anzani
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
“Pam Zicca is awesome. Pam not only taught our young daughter how to swim, she also took the fear of the water away. Pam’s great with kids – she has a gentle and friendly approach to teaching, which is why she’s so good at what she does."
Joe Duraes & Jennifer Daddio
Montrose, NY
"Love how things come full circle - Pam was Ben's first swim instructor who worked tirelessly to keep him from sinking to the bottom of the pool (which was complicated by the fact that he didn't mind being on the bottom of the pool), and now she is the swim instructor for the Monday swim sessions that Nor West runs"
Ivy Lewis
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
My friends and family know my struggle with Angelo and swimming. (When he was 3 he walked by mistake into the deep end and I jumped in after him . From that point he had been petrified of the water. No matter how many swimming lessons he has had!.) After just 3 lessons alone with Pam and then her teaching him at Premier Athletic club camp for 4 lessons this week, he is swimming and jumped into the pool today!!! This might sound like not a big deal for a 6 year old, but if anyone could of seen him just a couple of weeks ago in his first lesson with Pam, she is truly an amazing instructor!!
Kristin T.
Peekskill, NY
My 4-year old son is a total squirmmer and getting him to pay attention in any type of class setting has always been an issue. He also had one really bad experience in the water when he fell in to the deep end of a pool when he was 3. Pam took these challenges and worked through them in a matter of just a few weeks. Somehow she managed to connect with him and inspire enough confidence in him so that he can now jump off the steps and basically SWIM to me with his face in the water. I'm still in shock just thinking about it. Whereas before he was afraid of water and wouldn't even so much as put his eyes in, he now loves it and refers to himself as Jacques Cousteau. Pam is a wonderfully warm and funny teacher who kids intuitively trust. And she obviously knows how to get them swimming.
Barbara Kopeloff
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
Pam has taught both my 4 year old and 6 year old daughters. In just a few lessons, she took my 4 year old from doing the doggie paddle to doing defined strokes.
Pam has encouraged my 6 year old to continue to refine her technique. She continues to encourage them both to do more, and I see progress from each of them after every lesson. Pam has an excellent rapport with children. She treats them with respect, and holds them accountable.
Stacy Conte
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
We couldn't be happier with Pam as our seen year old's swim instructor. Our daughter isn't just learning techniques, but is developing a love for the sport. We are so thankful to have found a coach who is not only an extraordinary teacher , but one who communicates in a patient and kind tone that meets the needs of our child
After years of instruction at multiple summer camps, we thought Rachel would never learn to swim. I was desperate. I finally enrolled her in semi-private instruction with Pam, who patiently allayed her fear of the water, coaxed her to do more and more, and finally got her swimming! She then made up for lost time by training her on proper strokes and techniques. As summer was approaching once again, Pam worked with Rachel to ensure she had the skills and endurance to pass the camp's deep water test, even doing practice runs at home. This picture from sleep away camp is Rachel's pre-arranged signal to us that she had passed not only the basic deep water test ( 4 laps) , but also passed the 8 laps plus treading test that allows her to engage in all available watersports. Yay Rachel and THANK YOU Pam!
Abby
Croton-On-Hudson, NY