Best of 2000: Best Swim School For Babies

Murray Callan Swim School
1012 Law Street, Pacific Beach
(858) 273-7946

It's not just "toss 'em in the water and see what happens" at Murray Callan Swim School in P.B. These young men and women specialize in and are renowned for tender training. The big L-shaped pool, heated to 95 degrees for the comfort of the kiddies, lies behind a converted bungalow on a suburban side street. You pass through the home-cum-office and into the unexpected patio enclosure, filled with the delighted, squealing sounds of excited kids and, sometimes, the buzz-saw cry of a dissenter. (The trainers know how to handle them.) Founded over 50 years ago by Murray Callan, an ex-military entrepreneur, this swim school for tots has garnered the attention of media for "soft-touch" technique (Murray Callan: "We touch a baby like wet seaweed. It's body language that conveys the fluidness.") Enrollment is limited, requires dedication from parents as well as kids, and it's not cheap, $99 for nine scheduled half-hour sessions.