March 25, 2012March 25, 2012 by Ginger Blackman

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Think you know what drowning looks like? Think again! With swimming season here already, this is an important article that you need to read and share…

http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/

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Merritt Island Swim School

5.0

Based on 23 reviews

Tonny Harris

2020-05-18T18:38:17+0000

They are great with kids at Merritt Island Swim School; my daughter enjoys swim lessons so much and always looks... forward to seeing Ms. Ginger. Highly recommend Merritt Island Swim School! 👍🏽read more

Sharon Sinangote Haner

2020-02-07T00:39:20+0000

We are glad we brought our son to swimming lessons with Ginger. It is a 20 to 25 min drive to her place for a 10 -15... min lesson 4x/ wk but so worth it! Our son is learning quick .Ginger is great and she knows how to handle each child in each level!read more

Melissa Diamond Nelson

2019-10-19T02:02:48+0000

I highly recommend Merritt Island Swim School! Ginger is the master of teaching babies to swim and survive in the... water. She was so patient and loving with our son. She even worked with my husband and I so we could continue to work with our baby even after lessons were over. Living in Florida, with water all around, these lessons are a must!!! I love that I can relax when we are at a pool or the beach. Thanks Ginger!!!!read more

Rebecca Jiyoun Basanta

2019-10-18T23:48:16+0000

Ginger. Is. INCREDIBLE!!! She is so incredibly patient and is amazing at what she does. I feel like she gave my... daughter the skills for water safety, but also empowered me to continue to help my daughter as we played in the pool at home! Thank you so much for your care and expertise. So thankful for you!! ❤️read more

Kelly Gattuso

2019-10-18T19:09:06+0000

Miss Ginger is the best! I recommend her to everyone with children. My little ones, 2 and 4, had no prior training and... having a pool (not to mention all the other pools, lakes and ocean water around us) I wanted to do whatever I could to keep them safe in addition to locks and alarms. Ginger is amazing with children and really understands their development, which she takes into account during lessons. My kiddos learned to love their swim lessons (only took 1 week for them to come around) and now they can safely enjoy the pool with us. I can feel confident that they have the skills to help themselves if need be, it is an important layer of protection for keeping them safe around water. Case in point, we were all in the pool and my 2 year old was playing on the stairs when my 4 year old wanted to swim from my husband to myself. I was within arms reach of my 2 year old and I told him to stay put for the few seconds his brother would take to swim to me. I turned my back for literally 2 seconds to help my other kiddo and I hear my sweet 2 year old crying and asking for mommy to help him. I turn back to see him in a perfectly executed float that he learned from his swim lessons with Ginger. It really only takes seconds for things to happen around water and it can happen with you standing right next to your child. The lessons are well worth the investment in our kiddos safety.read more

Dawn Marie

2019-10-18T02:22:05+0000

My 3 yr old has a completely different demeanor in the water after lessons with Ms. Ginger! This momma can enjoy time... in the pool with my girl because she and I both are confident in her abilities in the water! We are forever grateful!read more

Jill Miltenberger

2019-10-18T01:06:30+0000

Ginger is the best! I can’t say enough wonderful things about our experience. We are currently in the process of... building a pool. I wanted to ensure that my children (ages 4 and 21 months) would have swim survival skills, in addition to other layers of protection: alarms and pool fence. Before Merritt Island Swim School, my four year old daughter had months of private swim lessons with minimal results. After starting swim school with Ginger, she was swimming well within days. She is a very confident and strong swimmer. My son was resistant to swimming at first, but by the end of his session he didn’t want to get out of the pool. Ginger was so patient and caring with my children. My daughter loves her so much she wants her to come over for playdates. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made as a parent. Thank You for everything Ginger! ❤️read more

Liz McDonald

2019-10-17T23:26:07+0000

Ginger is hands down the absolute best! I tell everyone who mentions swim classes about her! She taught my son so much... and I can’t wait to start my twins!read more

Holly Wendel

2019-08-08T13:24:28+0000

I cannot recommend these swim classes enough. I am forever grateful for Atlee and Hudson having the opportunity to take... these classes. Yes, it was challenging to drive 30 mins to classes and 30 mins back for a 10 minute lesson 4 days a week for 6 weeks... but I am SO GLAD we did it! We keep hearing about children drowning right here in our county and it absolutely breaks my heart. Atlee fell in the pool last week. Doug and I went to grab him but without hesitation, he rolled over to float and swam to safety. Tears rolled down my face seeing him so confident. Please, make the move. Teach your kiddos how to save their lives. ❤️read more

LeighAnn Johnson

2019-05-13T03:23:03+0000

Ginger is incredibly gentle and patient, but more importantly skilled! My daughter failed lessons with another... instructor last year. So we decided to take a different approach this year and hired Ginger to teach our daughter. She worked her magic and had my daughter swim-float-swimming in a matter of weeks. My daughter could not wait to go swimming each day and even said she wants to be a swim teacher when she grows up! Thank you Ginger! We are forever grateful for the skills you taught Evvie! 💗read more

Jamie Hare

2019-01-18T13:01:39+0000

Ginger is the best! My daughter Julia who is 5 went to Ginger and swims with confidence and loves the water. My son... Jordan will be attending his second year and she has been great with him as well! Hands down worth every penny for safety!read more

Jennifer Nasworthy

2019-01-04T12:10:50+0000

Ginger is the best. She really cares about the kids.

Karen Powers

2018-12-29T18:08:39+0000

Ginger is very patient and good with the kids! She helped my daughter get over her uneasy feeling of floating. My son... took to her so well and is a little master floater now! I feel much better about my kids being near the water with their survival skills and swimming they have learned.read more

Heather Force

2018-10-30T19:32:13+0000

I absolutely highly recommend Merritt Island Swim School!! Ginger is AMAZING at what she does and really understands... and cares for each child she teaches. Water safety skills are so important and I am so glad she helped my 2.5yr old Mason learn survival water safety skills. Mason loved going and actually misses going to swim every day with Ginger. Definitely give her a try you won’t be disappointed 😊😊😊read more

Grace Hedleston

2018-10-19T01:31:59+0000

I give Merritt Island swim school a 15 on a scale of 10! So thankful for Ginger, she is patient and loving with skills... that are priceless. I highly recommend lessons with Ginger, you can’t put a price on your child’s safety. You will not be disappointed with the results.read more

Andrea Hoog

2018-05-18T22:35:50+0000

Danielle Arrigo

2018-02-05T22:08:44+0000

My son has gone to Ginger for 3 consecutive years now. She is very professional and has great confidence in her skills.... I would highly recommend her to anyone that is looking for water safety courses for their children.read more

Sasha Harrell Tinkham

2018-01-24T18:02:05+0000

When we moved from Colorado to our rental home on the canal three years ago I was terrified about my daughter drowning... - especially knowing it was the #1 cause of death for toddlers in Florida. She was just 2 years old and had no swimming experience other than being in the pool with mom and dad a couple times. Thankfully I found Ginger and got her signed up for lessons ASAP. After 4-5 weeks she was swimming underwater, floating and getting to the side of the pool unassisted. I'm not going to lie, ISR training is a substantial financial and time commitment (10 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks), but you can't put a price on giving your precious children the tools they need to save themselves from drowning. The girl swims like a fish now, and my 1-year-old is well on his way after completing lessons last Fall. If anyone has questions about ISR training, I'm happy to share our experience. I can't say enough good things!read more

Stephanie Berger Mosedale

2017-08-15T00:15:17+0000

I cannot tell you how impressed I am with Ginger's teaching. She's cool, calm and collected at all times- unwavering... even if a kid is screaming at the top of their lungs! She's made a little fishy out of our daughter and we're only at the beginning of our third week! A true talented professional!read more

Michelle Cholewa Treffinger

2017-07-10T01:02:15+0000

Taught my baby how to swim in a matter of weeks. It has been almost 6 years! Love Ginger!!

Linda Shinpaugh

2017-07-08T21:01:22+0000

Ginger is amazing. About 6 months after the program, my daughter fell in the pool and saved herself. She was about 20... months old and fell in the deep end. She kicked her way to the top, tucked her chin and rolled over. I grabbed her arm as she rolled over. I barely got wet. I am forever grateful to Ginger, MI Swim School, and ISR.read more

Davin Todd Erickson

2017-07-08T13:43:28+0000

Ginger and the Merrit Island Swim School is by far the best. Our son has been taught life saving skills and has changed... his life and saved his life as well. He is a very confident person now and we are so grateful and blessed to have had Ginger apart of Mason's life. He still talks about her to this day that he misses her. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for what you do and what you have done for our son.read more

Andrea Tani Solano

2017-07-08T12:11:26+0000

Jessica May

2017-07-07T21:08:06+0000

Nicole Meade

2017-07-07T12:40:59+0000

Ginger is one of the top in her profession. She is a Master Instructor with ISR and part of the leadership within the... organization. Who better to teach your children the skills they need to be safe in and around the water.read more

Carmen Glasser

2017-07-07T01:49:12+0000

Ginger had honed her skills and reached the level of master instructor. She can teach your child to save themselves... should they reach a body of water alone. And she can train others to become ISR instructors as well. She is truly an expert in her field!read more

Meara Trine

2017-07-07T01:13:57+0000

Both of my children took lessons with Ginger and it was the best experience! She was phenomenal 😊. My kids love to... swim now because of her!read more

Trish Tippins Flammio

2017-07-07T00:46:24+0000

Ginger teaches life saving skills that are essential for every infant, especially in Florida. Our daughter is an... awesome swimmer. Thank you!read more

Angelica DeLuccia Morrissey

2017-07-07T00:32:41+0000

Both of our boys went/go to Ginger and I can't say enough good things! She is so great with them and makes the boys and... us feel so comfortable and at ease.read more

Andy Day

2017-07-06T23:17:17+0000

Krystal M Vdb

2017-07-06T20:48:57+0000

Ginger is wonderful! My daughter started ISR as a baby and now, at 5 years old, she dives to the bottom of the pool... 10feet. I highly recommend Merritt Island Swim School. It was because of Ginger and "Swim Kitty" that Bianca loved going there and now swims like a fish. Bianca will still incorporate the skills she has learned from Ginger, even now, years later. 😊Best decision I ever made!read more

Amy C. Bolding

2017-07-06T20:40:55+0000

Both of my children went through Ginger's ISR program. It was stressful for me at first, but Ginger works so well with... the kids and they got over their anxiety quickly... which means, I did too! The program works and both of my kids enjoy the water and I'm more comfortable knowing that they have this knowledge - something I grew up without having. I highly recommend Ginger and her swim school! She's reliable, flexible, understanding, reasonably priced for the quality of the program, funny and friendly. One of the best and worthwhile programs I enrolled my kids in!read more

Nathan Chester

2017-07-06T19:46:35+0000

Radelle Southern-Horton

2017-07-06T19:45:11+0000

Absolutely one of the best things you can ever give to your child.

Logan Schenck

2017-07-06T19:32:26+0000

Ginger was great with my 5 & 3 year old girls and had them swimming and confident in the water in no time. She was very... patient and encouraging. It's an ISR program, so I thought it would be lots of forcing them to do things they didn't feel ready for, but it wasn't that at all. It was worth the daily 30 minute drive, the expense, and the mountains of towels I had to wash from daily pool time. Now that we've been through the program I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ginger to anyone.read more

Ashley Hastings

2017-07-06T19:24:21+0000

Jody Esposito

2017-07-06T19:09:44+0000

Carol Raab

2017-07-06T18:22:39+0000

Ginger is the best. Have seen her with the easiest kids to ones that are a handful. No doubt she is meant to be doing... this helping kids and families.read more

Lisa Martell

2017-07-06T18:21:43+0000

Ginger is amazing. She works awesome with the kids and amazing with the parents schedules. Christopher and Alice... lives her.read more

Terrah Boring

2017-07-06T18:19:58+0000

Mrs. Ginger is the absolute BEST at what she does!! I can't recommend her enough!! My three year old is swimming and... floating and absolutely loves the water now! She truly is amazing!! �read more

Ashley Guarrasi

2017-07-06T18:15:30+0000

Ginger is professional, knowledgeable, trustworthy, loving, patient, detail oriented and kind, to name just a few! I've... put both my kids through ISR lessons/refreshers with her now and I wouldn't trust anyone else! She takes her job seriously, and treats your kids as if they were her own! She is teaching them a LIFE SAVING technique and that can't be rated with anything other than a 5+! I'd recommend her a million times over! Thank you for all that you've done for my family!read more

Tasha Lynn

2017-07-06T18:11:09+0000

Ginger is an excellent swim instructor. She's been my kids swim teacher since they could start swimming. She works very... well with schedules and making sure everyone gets a chance.read more

Maryam Morkos

2017-07-06T18:06:16+0000

Mrs. Ginger is truly the best around! So patient and awesome with the kiddos. My son, who doesn't like being told what... to do, ALWAYS gets excited to go to swim because of the enthusiasm she brings! I highly recommend her. She takes swim seriously which makes us feel so safe. My son is 3 and can swim/float without any assistance and I have a piece of mind knowing he's well trained. Even if I feel he is slacking she always welcomes him back to correct him. We read her high reviews and decided to give it a try! Turns out everyone was right. Thank you Mrs. Ginger! Can't wait to bring in Norah for lessons.read more

Shannon Connell

2017-07-06T17:58:44+0000

Vanessa Ramsey

2017-07-06T17:51:19+0000

Best thing to ever do for yourself and for your child. She treats every child with wonderful and my son enjoyed it.... Still continuing to practice at home.read more

Brandon Roland

2017-07-06T17:49:59+0000

Ginger taught both of our boys how to swim. Highly recommend.

Linda LeCaptain Gunde

2017-07-06T17:38:22+0000

Ginger was fantastic with our granddaughter this summer. I highly recommend Merritt Island Swim School!

Kathy Barna-Freer

2017-07-06T17:37:20+0000

Ginger is the best! I am so thankful my daughter did these lessons. She fell in our pool, fully dressed, trying to... reach a ball. She flipped right over and floated (we were right there but still scary). I recommend Ginger to anyone and everyone!read more

Jaimee Vernon

2017-07-06T17:31:16+0000

Jennifer Youngblood

2017-07-06T17:29:54+0000

Amazing instructor and class!!! Can't say enough good things about Ginger Blackman!! We will be back with Cooper next... year for his refresher :))read more

Lisa Wubbena

2017-07-06T17:26:43+0000

Sydney Jenkins

2017-07-06T15:35:31+0000

Rose Foss

2017-05-08T15:04:39+0000

Tiki Fiol

2017-04-22T14:31:40+0000

Jenny Edwards Murdock

2016-11-05T00:08:08+0000

DrTanishia Henderson

2016-06-24T21:57:18+0000

I'm am so glad I found this program ISR! Ginger has been fantastic with him. I've done regular swim classes at 1 and 2... years old he just screamed. After two days with Ginger he finally relaxed now in the third week my son does not want to get out the water! I'm excited to take him to a resort now with pools! Thanks Ginger.read more

Katie Harris

2016-02-16T01:58:07+0000

Sara Grace Faro

2015-10-23T16:26:14+0000

Jessica Erickson

2015-09-26T14:47:41+0000

Dawn Haynes

2015-09-18T22:36:42+0000

Jeff Lapine

2015-08-23T20:28:23+0000

Merrit island swim school is awesome. My son who started off at 6 months old and who is 13 months old now loves it and... is doing great due to ginger she is an awesome instructor!!!!!!! I would recommend her to any parent. Thank you so much for teaching my bubby.read more

Miriya Wiant

2015-07-21T18:24:46+0000

Ginger has been very patient at working with my daughter who has been a bit anxious and stubborn about the process for... 2 summers now. Ginger has customized her lesson plans to what works best for my baby. She is a fantastic instructor.read more

Angela Burr Magill

2015-07-19T19:17:18+0000

Chase Raymond

2015-07-18T22:16:00+0000

Amazing Mrs Ginger already has my son from fearing getting his face wet to swimming under water in a week. It's truly a... great swim experience and I couldn't be happier. If your even thinking about going anywhere else you are making a mistake. Thank you Ginger.read more

Margie Wiedmann Burr

2015-07-18T13:25:20+0000

Lindsey Locke

2015-06-19T16:56:55+0000

Petra Fenner

2015-06-09T18:56:20+0000

Shirley Thrower

2015-05-24T02:39:02+0000

I think this is awesome - saving lives! What could be better?

Rosemary Winn

2015-04-04T01:36:28+0000

An amazing class! Ginger works very well with Nate and all of her students! Safety first around the pool but tons of... fun too! I highly recommend ISR for all young children at Merritt Island swim schoolread more

Vickie McBride

2015-03-22T02:25:41+0000

Teach you babies( infants) IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel Horan

2015-02-04T21:40:41+0000

Ginger is a pleasure to work with and truly cares for each of her "little fish". I recommend her each chance I get.

Wendy Ring

2014-10-17T00:55:28+0000

Ginger has done a fantastic job teaching my 8 month old baby, Timmy, Self Rescue this summer. I am so grateful to have... found her through the ISR. I will most certainly be bringing Timmy back to her in the spring for the next course!read more

Heather Myers

2014-10-04T17:37:59+0000

Tommie Lee Long

2014-08-23T14:35:12+0000

Amy Capellin Canitia

2014-08-15T02:16:32+0000

My son finished his refresher lessons in July. Since then he has been doing awesome in the pool. Rolling over when he... needs to and without me having to prompt him. His floats are great and only getting better. Ginger has taught both my children to swim and I am so thankful. It is amazing what she can accomplish in minutes a day. Thank you Ginger for giving both my children an invaluable skill that they will have for a lifetime.read more

Kimberly Tychan Cribb

2014-07-17T22:08:35+0000

Katie Vore

2014-07-09T00:57:27+0000

My twin boys and I love Mrs. Ginger! We have been working with her for a long time, as we continue to do refresher... courses with her. Ginger is always patience, happy and makes the lessons fun. I greatly appreciate the life saving skills that Ginger has taught the boys. I highly recommend Ginger and the ISR program. Thank you Ginger!!read more

Jamie Martin

2014-06-11T20:21:12+0000

Ginger was awesome, and my 2 year old is now swimming like a fish and loves to float.

Tina Stonecipher

2014-06-10T22:51:43+0000

Ginger is awesome. Individualizes each lesson to the child and their particular personality. I am so glad I found... Ginger and Merritt Island Swim School.read more

Keisha Hardy

2014-05-31T13:31:03+0000

Ginger is awesome! She is extremely patient and encouraging. My daughter loves her positive reinforcements and options... she give while swimming. I can't wait for next summer to introduce my now infant into the water :-)read more

Shelby Gersey

2014-05-28T06:07:09+0000

Jennifer Marie Ward

2014-05-24T15:07:47+0000

We are so happy we decided to take our son to ginger she is awesome with all the kids and is very patient she taught... our boy one of the most vital lessons in life "how to swim" thank you !!read more

Heather Isr Naples Redmond

2014-05-06T21:46:48+0000

Aimee Breuer

2014-05-05T23:28:13+0000

Courtney Reece

2014-04-24T01:07:42+0000

Awesome teacher! Worth the time!!! Love her!

Julie Mangold

2014-04-15T16:24:59+0000

Heidi M Honkonen Acaley

2014-04-08T20:38:40+0000

Kim Day McCann

2014-03-22T00:11:07+0000

Noella Laeder

2014-02-22T00:47:24+0000

Corinne Rios

2014-01-15T18:17:58+0000

I can not speak highly enough of Ginger and ISR. She is so patient and kind with my little girl who has been seeing... Ginger since she was six months old!! Water is all around us in Florida and knowing that we have given our child an added layer of safety is priceless.read more

Kimberly Ballard Hettinger

2014-01-15T15:55:48+0000

Stephanie Dean

2014-01-15T15:15:19+0000

Ms. Ginger was so kind and patient with my daughter! Such a great experience!!

Rayelle Thomas

2014-01-12T05:15:49+0000

I know you always keep an eye on children around the pool, but some of us live where there is water all around and... don't you want that one extra, extra? Ms. Ginger takes the time. She gained my kids trust and she taught them what to do. She taught my oldest when she was 3 and my youngest at 17 months. She is awesome.read more

Julie Jacobs Newbury

2014-01-11T18:01:05+0000

We love Miss Ginger! My girls learned to swim and have fun safely in the pool!

Brooks Cadorin

2014-01-04T03:06:27+0000

Taught my daughter Ava one of the most important gifts and pleasures of life and she loves it until this very day!!

Michael Pitcher

2013-10-25T06:16:28+0000

Corey Harris

2013-09-26T01:57:50+0000

Love Ms Ginger, she was amazing with my son. She came highly recommended and so worth it!

Angela Thornton

2013-09-23T19:58:28+0000

Sheldon Dean

2013-09-12T19:02:29+0000

Paige Kristine

2013-08-24T21:45:05+0000

Laura Hendricks Dansbury

2013-08-05T20:11:09+0000

We love Ginger! She is fantastic!

Tammi Spiropoulos

2013-07-22T00:07:00+0000

Karen Bense

2013-07-20T21:06:48+0000

Sharleen Coon Olson

2013-07-17T16:26:27+0000

Joseph G. Jordan

2013-07-16T08:58:20+0000

Tadalena Warner

2013-07-13T17:59:02+0000

Astra Freet

2013-07-11T21:28:38+0000

Anna-Marie Pearce Traylor

2013-07-11T11:21:31+0000

Gerolt Boelen

2013-07-10T08:29:34+0000

Nick Newbury

2013-07-05T21:31:39+0000

Molly Jarvis

2013-05-22T15:17:06+0000

Cherie Shropshire

2013-05-21T15:47:35+0000

Loving my classes with Mrs Ginger!!! Already I'm seeing my kids learn the life-saving ISR techniques they need in the... water! Her encouraging and skillful approach to training both my toddler and infant are truly inspiring:) thank you Mrs Ginger!!!read more