Center Lane Swim School

★M. Wilson

I wouldn’t suggest “center lane swim school” they teach your child how to swim by having them jump in super deep water and the teachers being longer than arm’s length away telling them to “paddle” and “kick their feet” from above the water. Not good for first time swimmers, children with special needs or child with a fear of swimming/water. It’s very sink or swim (survival) type of teaching not a step by step (shallow water, get comfy in the water, method by method) way of teaching. This is for beginner level starting as young as 3yr. Some parents love the school and think it’s fine but if you want your child to be confident and comfortable in the water I would suggest somewhere with a better method.

★★★★★Holly Drye

Center Lane Swim School has been such a huge and meaningful part of my family’s life. My daughter has been attending since she was under 2 years old, and she is now 6.5. Watching her grow into a confident, capable swimmer has been incredible, and I credit so much of that to this amazing school. Swimming lessons was always something I knew I would enroll my child in, long before I even had a baby. It is such an essential life skill, especially with how much water we live around, and through her time at Center Lane, my daughter is not only learning essential swimming skills but also building confidence, passion, and resilience that extend far beyond the pool. When my daughter first started, she cried, screamed, and kicked, but after just a few weeks everything changed. She began smiling, laughing, and looking forward to class, especially singing “Wheels on the Bus” each week. Fast forward to today, and she truly swims like a fish. She looks forward to swim class every week and excels in all areas of swimming. The entire team at Center Lane is patient, skilled, encouraging, and genuinely invested in each child’s success. Josie Howdyshell, the owner, is truly one of a kind. She is the kindest, most genuine person—someone who instantly makes you feel welcome and like part of her family. She is incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and down to earth, and you can tell her heart is fully in what she does. Josie and her team don't just teach swimming; they teach water safety, confidence, and respect for the water, and Josie is always sharing valuable information to help keep children safe. She is someone I wish everyone could know. Her dedication to keeping children safe and helping families feel confident around water is evident in everything she does. We are so grateful to be part of the Center Lane Swim School community, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to any parent looking for exceptional swim instruction and truly wonderful people.

★★★★★Danielle Pak

We cannot say enough about the Center Lane Swim family and their incredible team. There has long been a need for this kind of business in Southern Maryland, and I am so grateful they chose this area to begin their adventure. The Edgewater location is truly one of a kind. From the thoughtful amenities in the changing rooms to the epic play and waiting area, swim class feels like more than just a lesson—it’s a fun, welcoming experience for the whole family. The smaller class sizes and highly personalized instruction really set Center Lane Swim apart from other programs in the area, and every lesson genuinely feels like a VIP experience. It’s clear that the instructors are exceptionally well trained and truly care about each child’s progress. My youngest went from a tearful first month of lessons to reading swimming books over winter break because he missed it so much. The progress he has made over the past two years is remarkable, and I am incredibly grateful for the positive impact Center Lane Swim has had on his confidence and swimming abilities.

★★★★★Kay Moreland

Cannot say enough good things about Center Lane Swim! My son had a near drowning incident over the summer and they handled it with compassion and care. They not only put my son at ease, but me as well. He is older, so we opted for private lessons, worth every penny. Staff is absolutely amazing especially Coach Ashely, Coach Hannah and Heather!

★★★★★Chad Smith

This is an amazing place for kids to swim and have fun learn and do kid things! The owners and instructors are amazingly gifted with their abilities to help kids swim better. My children are a amazing swimmers thanks to their great leadership and training!!