FAQ
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Is this the right place?
My child is sensory-avoidant. They get overwhelmed easily.
Is Zen Penguin right for my kid?
Almost certainly yes. Zen Penguin is neurodivergent-led, and the method was built for sensory-sensitive swimmers first. We never force a skill — including putting a face in the water. A child who is afraid of the water has assessed the danger correctly, and we will not talk them out of it. We start where they are, and we go at their pace. The long version →
My child is sensory seeking. We've been kicked out of other programs.
Is Zen Penguin right for my kid?
Absolutely. Zen Penguin was started by a mom whose child was kicked out of every preschool program she ever tried to put him in. We understand the trauma of trying to find a place for your child to belong, only to be "politely" asked not to return. Zen Penguin has been designed to remove most ways for your child to "get into trouble". Many of our instructors see their little selves in your child - and we know how to make them and you feel like you've finally found the community you've been searching for. The long version →
My child is normal - we don't need any extra accommodations.
Is Zen Penguin right for my kid?
Also yes. Zen Penguin's Backfloat to Breathe method works for EVERY child, and the accommodations we've put in place for neurodivergent children have proven to help every brain move through the journey of learning to swim. No matter how your child works, we're ready to meet them exactly where they are and help them develop a joyful relationship with the water. You're not taking away a spot from a kid who needs it more - you're joining a community that benefits from all kinds of diversity. The long version →
What ages do you teach?
3 months to adults. In Parent & Child (3 months to 6 years), you're in the water too. In every other class, your swimmer is with a coach while you watch from the bench.
Will my child have to put their face in the water?
Yes, in time. Every swimmer learns the skills that keep them safe, and faces in the water are one of them. The difference is how we get there: we explain it, work through it together, and wait for your child's yes. Nobody is dunked, bribed or tricked.
Booking and your first lesson
How do I sign up?
Press Book your first lesson. It opens our family portal, and takes about two minutes per swimmer to fill out our interest form. You pay $40 when we confirm your first class, not before.
What happens in the first lesson?
Your child meets their coach and hears what's about to happen before it happens. They get in the water when they're ready — or sit on the edge, which is also a lesson. By the end you'll know whether we're the right fit, and if we are, we find you a weekly spot. The long version →
What if my child won't get in?
Then they sit on the edge, and we talk through it. That is a lesson - they're learning that we will listen to their boundaries, and that we are safe to trust. If you decide it isn't a fit, you can get a pro-rated refund before the second lesson.
Is there a waitlist?
If you're flexible on day and time, probably not. The portal shows open classes right now. If you want a weekly spot we don't have yet, you're on the list, and you can swim one-time classes while you wait.
Prices and scholarships
How much are weekly classes?
Parent & Child is $220 a month, Semi-Private (two swimmers, one coach) is $260, 1-on-1 is $390, and Private Pool is $599. Every family starts with one $40 lesson.
How does billing work?
Auto-pay runs on the 25th for the coming month, and your first month is pro-rated. We spread 44 lessons a year across 12 equal payments, so a month with three lessons costs the same as a month with five.
What if cost is in the way?
Ask about our scholarship program. Mention it when you book, or email us, and we'll talk through what's possible for your family.
Why does it cost more than the big pools?
Two kids per coach instead of six. A private pool kept at 93°. Coaches with 100+ hours of training. And the same coach every week, so no lesson starts from scratch.
At the pool
What should we bring?
A swimsuit, a towel, and a swim diaper if your swimmer needs one. Goggles are optional. Bring anything that helps your swimmer feel okay — a comfort object is welcome on the bench.
Oops, I forgot....
We have towels to borrow right on the walls. We have swimsuits in the benches, and hairties hung on one of the hooks. As long as you show up, we will make sure you and your child can get in, no matter how crazy your day has been so far.
Do I get in the water?
Only in Parent & Child. Otherwise you are officially off duty on the bench for thirty minutes. We have sensory toys out for you too.
Where are you, and what's the space like?
Two private indoor pools, both 93 degrees. The Puddle is in NE Portland near the airport; the Pond is in Clackamas. Each pool page shows the parking, the door, the changing area and the water before you arrive. See the Puddle before you arrive → · See the Pond →
Schedules, absences and holidays
What if we miss a class?
Report it in the portal. Sick or exposed: report any time, even the morning of, and you keep the credit. Planned absence: report 7 days ahead. Credits last a year.
How do make-up credits work?
When you report an absence, you'll receive a Splash Pass in accordance with our absence policy. Use them to request open classes in the portal. A person matches the spot to your swimmer's skills and sensory needs, and we confirm within two business days.
What about holidays?
Each weekday takes off exactly 8 days a year. No make-ups or refunds for those — they're already built into the price. The dates are on the holiday calendar →
How do we pause or stop?
In the portal under Manage membership, by the 15th to stop the next month's charge. Your spot goes to the waitlist. When you're ready to come back, sign in and see what's open.
Can we change days or pools?
Email us. It depends on what's open, and we'll let you know what we can do!
The family portal
How do I sign in?
Use the email address you booked with. Instead of a password, we send you a 6-digit code, and it works for ten minutes.
What can I do in the portal?
Everything for your membership lives in one place. Here's what's inside:
📅 Your weekly spot
See your day, time and coach.
🤒 Report an absence
Sick? Same day. Planned? 7 days ahead.
🎟️ Splash Passes
Your make-up credits, ready to use.
➕ One-time class
Grab an open spot without a membership.
💳 Update your card
Change how you pay, any time.
⏸️ Pause or stop
By the 15th for the next month.
🐧 Add a sibling
One family, one sign-in.
My code didn't arrive.
Check spam and promotions, and search your mail for "Zen Penguin." Make sure it's the email you booked with, because a work or partner's address won't match. If ten minutes have passed, ask for a fresh code.
How do jump-in spots work?
You request an open spot, and our office makes sure it matches your swimmer's skills and sensory needs. Requesting doesn't book it; we'll confirm as soon as we can!
Can a second parent get access?
Yes. We connect a second parent or a new email address by hand, on purpose, so it isn't automatic. Email us and we'll set it up!
How do you protect our information?
Only our staff see it, and we never sell it. We take photos only with your signed release, and never with names. The details are on our Privacy page.
Try one lesson.
Your child meets their coach.
You talk about how they learn, what they're nervous about, what they love.
Then they get in the water — or sit at the edge, whatever they feel ready for.
By the end, you'll know if Zen Penguin is right for your family.
If it is, we find you a weekly spot!
Questions first?
Zen Penguin Swim School
Sensory-friendly swim lessons for ages 3 months to adults, in two private indoor pools in Portland and Clackamas. Built by neurodivergent teachers.
Need a human?
[email protected]
We answer within two business days.
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