THE KIDS ISSUE
SCHOOLS Nine places to take lessons around Chapel Hill and beyond
By J ul i a B aker | Photography by J ohn Mic h a el Sim ps on
“W
hen you walk into Goldfish [Swim School] Chapel Hill, you immediately know it’s made with happiness in mind,” says Danelle Alex, co-owner of the facility. Bright colors are splashed across the walls of the tropical-themed pool area, complete with a palm tree. Danelle and her husband, Manuel Alex, opened the Chapel Hill location of the national franchise in December 2019. In 2006, Jenny McCuiston, a two-time Olympic trials-qualifying swimmer, and Chris McCuiston founded Goldfish Swim School in response to a growing demand for quality swim instruction. The McCuistons began franchising Goldish three years later, and in 2017, Danelle and Manuel became franchise owners of their first location in Cary. “Goldfish as a company has a commitment to do the most and very best it can to keep kids safe in and around water,” Danelle says of why she and Manuel were drawn to this swim school. According to the Centers 26
chapelhillmagazine.com
January/February 2022