The City of Palo Alto offers swim lessons for preschoolers, kids and teens of all levels. Learn about our many swim instruction programs.
how to register for swim lessons
swim lesson FAQs
Private Swim Lessons 4 to 13 years: No prerequisites. Level 1 to 6. Your child will be taught one-on-one with a qualified swim instructor who will tailor the lesson to your childs needs.
Parent & Me - infants age 6 months to 2 years accompanied by an adult: This class provides an opportunity to become comfortable in and around the water. This playful class will introduce you and your child to several skills that are the building blocks to swimming. We will include songs and games that engage small children and help them begin to love the water at a young age.
Level 1 (Tiny Tots) 3 to 5 years: Swim students will be introduced to basic swimming skills including floating on their back and front, blowing bubbles, kicking legs, basic arm motion and becoming comfortable submerging their mouth, nose and eyes and more. Toys, songs and games are introduced to ensure this early swim lesson experience is an enjoyable one.
Level 2 4 to 6 years: For children who have completed Level 1. Swim students will continue to learn basic swim skills and begin to move independently in the water. Skills include: floating, pushing off from the wall and gliding on back and front, combining arm and leg motion, sculling on back, submerging head and face completely and more.
Level 3 5 to 8 years: For children who have completed Level 2. Swim students will continue to become adept at swim skills and be required to move independently in the water. Skills include: jumping into the water from the side and recovering unassisted, retrieving an object from the bottom of the pool, treading water, swimming independently on back, swimming front crawl for 15 yards unassisted, front crawl rotary breathing, introduction to the butterfly stroke and more.
Level 4 6 to 9 years: For children who have completed Level 3. Swim students will move completely independently in water and begin to work on stroke technique. Skills include: Floating for 1 minute or more, treading water for 1 minute or more, backstroke for 15 yards, breaststroke for 15 yards, front crawl for 25 yards, and deep end surface dives.
Level 5 7 to 10 years: For children who have completed Level 4. Swim students will continue to learn stroke technique and begin to work on endurance. Skills include: diving, floating for 2 minutes, flip turns, treading water for 2 minutes, front crawl for 50 yards (2 laps), backstroke for 50 yards, and breaststroke for 25 yards.
Level 6 8 to 12 years: For children who have completed level 5. Swim students will work on endurance and refined stroke technique. Skills include: Front crawl for 100 yards (4 laps), backstroke for 100 yards, butterfly for 50 yards, flip turns for all strokes, and racing entries.
Pre-competitive Swim Camp 12 to 18 years: For youth and teens who have completed Level 6. Students will be evaluated on Level 6 swim skills on first day of class. The class will focus on the finer points of stroke technique. Participants will learn how to make their strokes smoother and more efficient as well as racing dives and competitive turns. Distance swimming and endurance building will also be emphasized. The Camp meets for three weeks.
Water Polo Camp 11 to 14 years: For 6th, 7th and 8th graders and soon to be freshman in high school. Participants will focus on the fundamentals of the games such as eggbeater position, head freestyle, basic throwing mechanics,
Beginning/Intermediate Diving 7 to 18 years: This is a combination class for participants with no diving experience, beginners and intermediate divers. Students must be able to swim one length of the pool. Beginning skills include: the three-step approach & hurdle, position for headfirst entry, takeoffs, forward jump in the tuck position and forward dive in the tuck and pike position. Intermediate skills include the following dives: back, one and a half, inward, twist, reserve. Emphasis is on correct technique, safety and fun!
