Youth Swim Lessons
Lessons offered at Mission Bay only. A UCSF Fitness & Recreation membership is required for at least one parent and the child (ages 3+ ) enrolled in lessons.
Our swim lesson program is designed to meet the needs of children ages 6 months + and adults. There is a wide range of skills that will be taught, from introduction to water, to advanced skills and techniques. Each level builds upon the previous level, so swimmers can progress appropriately. All classes are 30 minutes long and have a student-teacher ratio of 4:1.
Upcoming Session & Registration
Next Session: Saturdays, November 1-December 20
Registration opens October 18 at 4 pm, and closes on November 8 at 1 pm.
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Sessions Details:
- 7-class session starts November 1
- Classes start at 9:00 am and run every 30 minutes until 12:10 pm
Levels Offered
Parent Tot
In this class, we offer our younger swimmers ages 6 months to 3 years old, the opportunity to participate and learn with their parents. This class allows parents to learn how to keep their children safe in and around water. The program includes games, riddles, songs, and basic skills that will help your child build confidence around water.
Super Tot
Ages 3 to 6 years old; no parent participation. Your children will advance through the following level as their skills progress:
Our Super Tot swim lessons for ages 3-6 follow the Red Cross swim standards, focusing on water safety, foundational swimming skills, and building confidence in the water. Children will learn to enter and exit the pool safely, blow bubbles, float on their front and back, and combine basic arm and leg movements. Through fun games and activities, our instructors help children get comfortable in the water, explore, and begin swimming with support. These lessons provide a solid foundation for future swimming success in a playful and supportive environment.
Children's Swim Lessons (Ages 6-16)
Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
The objective is for children to learn basic personal water safety information and skills, while helping them feel comfortable in the water. Children will learn positive attitudes, good swimming habits, and safe practices in and around the water at this level. They will learn the basics of water safety such as floating, blowing bubbles, and early introduction to stroke technique.
Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatic Skills
Children will learn basic swimming skills including by developing simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back, laying the foundation for future strokes.
Level 3: Stroke Development
Your child works on coordinating the front and back crawl, side breathing, and with survival floating. Scissors and dolphin kicks, along with the fundamentals of treading water, are introduced.
Level 4: Stroke Improvement
The focus is on improving swimming skills and increasing endurance. This level continues to build on the sidestroke and introduces the breastroke and butterfly, along with the basics of turning at a wall.
Level 5: Stroke Refinement
Performance and refinement of all the strokes are emphasized with a focus on increasing distances. Flip turns are also introduced.
Level 6: Swimming and Skill Proficiency
Students refine their strokes and learn to swim with more ease, proficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances.
UCSF Adult Swim Lessons
Whether you're dipping your toes in the pool for the first time or looking to refine your technique by joining UCSF Swim Lessons.
Our Adult Swim Lessons Include:
- Intro to All 4 Strokes Learn the fundamentals of all four competitive swim strokes--freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly--at a comfortable pace with expert guidance.
- Essential Water Safety Skills for Every Summer Equip yourself with vital skills to feel confident and competent in your swimming, so you can feel secure in any water environment.
Classes are held in the indoor pool at Bakar Fitness Center.
Contact
UCSF Aquatics
aquatics@ucsf.edu
FAQ
Swim Lesson FAQ
