Bill Marsh has taught 5,000 kids to swim.
This “underwater opera” is a beautiful little coming of life documentary.
Check out the the kids’ faces when first underwater (at 5 min & 25 secs in)!
Watch “A Swim Lesson”
You can watch it for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na.
Release Date: September 1, 2024
My Review of “A Swim Lesson”
The “Underwater Opera”
“Seeing a child learn how to swim is like witnessing a great opera and in this case, the maestro of this emotional orchestra is the inspiring swim instructor Bill Marsh.”
That’s director Rashida Jones describing Marsh who has taught 5,000+ kids to swim.
Which means he’s dealt with 5,000+ mostly stressed out parents too.
I love this little doc.
It captures a key moment in life:
A child putting their face underwater for the first time.
This is as daunting as a teenager’s first job interview or an adult’s leap into a new career.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Poolside Nerves: Some kids are so anxious before their lesson that they literally throw up by the edge of the pool.
- The Burp Brigade: As kids practice holding their breath underwater, a few come up gasping—and sometimes burping loudly.
An Everyday Hero
Directed by Rashida Jones (known for “Quincy” and Parks and Recreation) and Will McCormack (Oscar-winner for “If Anything Happens I Love You”), this short doc captures Marsh’s extraordinary work as a swim teacher in Los Angeles.
The doc frames swimming as a metaphor for facing life’s overwhelming unknowns, especially for young children who approach the water with a mix of fear, wonder, and determination.
A Rashida Jones and Will McCormack Collaboration
“A Swim Lesson” is co-directed by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, a duo with impressive creative résumés.
Rashida Jones, best known for her role as Ann Perkins in Parks and Recreation, is no stranger to telling compelling stories.
She directed the Emmy-winning documentary “Quincy,” a personal portrait of her father, music legend Quincy Jones. Jones also served as an executive producer on the provocative docuseries “Hot Girls Wanted,” which delved into the exploitative world of amateur pornography.
That’s quite a range!
The other co-director is Will McCormack.
He’s an actor, writer, and director ( co-wrote “Toy Story 4” (2019) and “Celeste & Jesse Forever” (2012), a bittersweet romantic comedy he co-wrote with Jones.
In 2020, McCormack co-wrote and directed the animated short film If “Anything Happens I Love You” (Netflix), which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
“A Swim Lesson” was featured in the seventh season of POV Shorts, which is part of PBS’s POV series on November 26, 2024.
A Maestro in Action
The filmmakers describe Marsh’s work as akin to conducting an opera.
Fear, joy, resistance, and exhilaration all play out against the backdrop of a neighborhood pool. Marsh’s patience is the anchor in this chaos.
He encourages kids who are paralyzed with fear, cheers for their smallest victories, and somehow makes each child feel like they’ve conquered Everest.
My Favorite Part
The standout moment for me is at 5:25, when you witness kids putting their faces underwater for the first time.
It’s raw, emotional and profound.
Lesser-Known Insights (and basic swimming how-tos)
- The Subtle Art of Submersion: Marsh’s techniques are deceptively simple. He starts with small steps—like getting kids to blow bubbles—before encouraging them to put their faces underwater. These moments, especially at 5:20, are magical. You can feel the tension release as kids realize the water won’t swallow them whole.
- The Parent-Child Dynamic: Parents hover anxiously, sometimes projecting their own fears. Marsh acts as a buffer, gently coaching parents to let go, so their kids can build confidence independently.
- The Unseen Dangers: The film doesn’t shy away from the grim statistics—drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the U.S.
- Belching and Vomit: It’s not all smooth sailing. Marsh navigates everything from nervous belching to kids throwing up poolside.
Cinematic Flourish
Cinematographer Alexander Alexandrov captures the pool as a vivid microcosm of life. Shots of shimmering water and close-ups of tiny hands gripping pool edges immerse you in the children’s world. Editor Mo Stoebe masterfully stitches together moments of triumph, tension, and humor, creating a narrative arc that feels much longer than 21 minutes.
The film’s pacing is brilliant.
It starts with chaos—kids screaming, splashing, and crying—and slowly builds to quiet moments of triumph as they master basic swimming skills.
By the end, you feel like you’ve witnessed something monumental.
Why It Works
The film succeeds because it transforms a simple premise into something universal. Marsh’s story is specific, yet it resonates with anyone who’s ever faced fear, doubt, or the challenge of teaching others.
Its brevity is another strength. At just 21 minutes, “A Swim Lesson” doesn’t waste a second. Every shot, soundbite, and splash of water serves the story.
The opera analogy might sound over-the-top, but it’s spot on. Marsh orchestrates chaos into something beautiful, and the film captures that transformation with precision.
Wrap Up
I believe “A Swim Lesson” is the best documentary short about childhood resilience and the everyday heroes who nurture it.
Bill Marsh’s work shows that teaching someone to swim is about so much more than water. It’s about unlocking potential, overcoming fear, and finding joy in the unknown.
If you’re looking for 21 minutes of inspiration, this one’s a must-watch.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc