San Francisco's Best Swimming Lessons and Programs for Infants, Babies, Toddlers and Kids

With summer season in full bloom, many Bay Area parents might be considering getting their little ones ready for swimming, or at least overcome any fear of the water.  Below are the best swim programs in the San Francisco Bay Area catering to babies and children.

The Janet Pomeroy Center offers swim lessons for kids 6 months up through 12 years through swim programs in their super warm and cozy Herbst Pool, kept a balmy 90-93 degrees.  For infants, toddlers and preschoolers there is the Cuttlefish Swim Lesson program which is more focused on having fun in the water.  For ages 3-6, the Penguin Swim Program teaches real swim skills in a low pressure, fun environment.  Older kids could take the Sea Otter program which is limited to 6-8 children and is taught without parents in the water.  Sessions run approximately 8 weeks and range approximately $144 for 60 minutes or 45 minutes depending on age level.  207 Skyline Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94132 - (415) 665-4241

Swim Lessons in San Fran at Janet Pomoroy Center Herbst Pool

La Petite Baleen Swim School (933 Old Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94129 - (866) 896- 3603 offers classes once per week for 30 minutes all through the year.  Baby and Me is designed for swimmers age 2 months up to 18 months and will get your little infant adjusted to getting face and ears wet.  Toddler and Me classes are for 14 months - 36 months and once a fishie gets to be 3, they graduate to a regular swim class without a parent in the water.  There are even swimming lessons for children with special needs, which have a lower student/teacher ratio of 4:1 and require parents/caretakers in the pool.   

San Francisco Swimming Lessons for Babies and Kids Petit Baleen

The Embarcadero YMCA offers a wide array of swim classes allowing San Francisco parents a ton of options when finding the perfect swimming classes for infants, toddlers and children.  Below are the description of available classes offered at the YMCA.  30 minute lessons are $105 for Program Members and $80 for Facility Members.  40 minute classes are $115 for Program Members and $90 for Facility Members.

Bay Area Swim Lessons at YMCA

6 months – 5 years: Infant & Toddler Classes

Shrimp (6 mos. – 18 mos) Family Perch (18 mos. – 3 yrs) Family

Shrimp and Perch classes develop trust and safety between parents, children, and instructors. Parents are very active and receive help showing their child to be safer in and around water. Children and instructors work to develop a bond preparing them for classes alone. Ratio 1:12

3 years – 5 years: Pre-School Classes

Pike (3-5 Years) Beginner 30 Mins

Pike is designed for new swimmers. Children develop safe pool behavior, adjust to the water, and develop independent movement in the water. Children learn pool safety, kicking skills, bubble blowing, and the first steps in rhythmic breathing. Ratio 1:4

Eel (3-5 Years) Adv Beginner 30 Mins

This advanced beginner level is for children who are comfortable in the water and reinforces Pike skills. Children are taught arm movements and learn to integrate the kick and float for a progressive and independent paddle
stroke. Children can swim independently by the end of this level. Ratio 1:5

Ray (3-5 Years) Intermediate 30 Mins

position. Instruction emphasizes more advanced personal safety and rescue skills which includes treading water.
Children can swim 10 yards without assistance by the end of this level. Ratio 1:6

Starfish (3-5 Years) Advanced 30 Mins

The Ray level improves skills and endurance. Students swim on their front and back in a more streamlined
position. Instruction emphasizes more advanced personal safety and rescue skills which includes treading water.
Children can swim 10 yards without assistance by the end of this level. Ratio 1:6

6 years – 14 years: Youth Classes

Polliwog (6-14 Years) Beginner 30 Mins

Students are acquainted with the pool environment, safety, flotation devices, and basic stroke and kicking skills.
By the end of this level, students will learn front paddle stroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.
Ratio 1:6

Guppy (6-14 Years) Adv Beg 30 Mins

The Guppy level continues and builds on basic skills. Students learn to integrate the basic stroke and kick
movements into three basic strokes: front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke, and backstroke. Students can swim
independently by the end of this level. Ratio 1:6

Minnow (6-14 Years) Intermediate 30 Mins

Minnow introduces students to competitive swimming practices such as circle swimming and flip-turns. Students refine the basic stroke skills from previous classes and also learn sidestroke, butterfly, and advanced personal safety and rescue skills. Students are able to swim any basic stroke for 75 meters by the end of this level. Ratio 1:7

Fish (6-14 Years) Advanced 40 Mins

The Fish level emphasizes endurance swimming and techniques that focus on the competitive strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and front crawl (freestyle) with turns. By the end of this level students are able to swim 200 meters continuously with a variety of strokes. Ratio 1:8

Flying Fish (6-14 Years) Junior Swim Team 40 Mins

The Flying Fish level provides a transition into our swim team. The class refines all four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle). The students will begin to have more structure training sessions that will prepare them for the swim team.