Swim Lessons will be back for Spring and Summer of 2026!
Adult Swim Lessons
The City of Santa Clara will be offering private lessons for adults in the Spring and Summer season.
Water Exercise
Senior Center is now open for Water Exercise classes. Register for Water Exercise classes.
Youth Swim Lessons
The City of Santa Clara will be offering group lessons and private lessons for children. Please view our swim level description below to learn what class suits your child best based on their swim level skills. For questions about swim lessons, please email santaclaraaquatics@santaclaraca.gov.
Beginner Classes
Parent Tot: Ages 6 months – 3 years (One parent per child)
Work with your child in the water while the instructor provides supervision and guidance. The goal is to introduce the child to water adjustment skills in a safe and friendly environment. Adult (18+) must always stay in the water with their child. (1 instructor: 5 participants)
Parent tot is focused on parent and child participation and comfort in a pool setting. There is
no formal exit assessment. Your child may move up to Starfish when they are 4 years of age.
Starfish: Ages 4 – 6
Beginning class for children who are ready to transition from the Parent Tot lessons, can be in the water without adult support and have little to no aquatic experience. Children will learn to put their face in the water, blow bubbles, and float on their front and back with assistance. (1 instructor: 4 participants)
Your child may move up to Seahorse if they are able to successfully demonstrate:
- Blowing bubbles from their nose
- Using a kick board for front & back kicks with support.
- Fully submerging head underwater.
- Freestyle arm & leg action with support.
- Front & back float for 5 seconds, with support.
- Retrieving submerged objects in shallow water.
Penguin: Ages 8 – 15
Beginner class for young swimmers who want to learn the basics of swimming such as floating, side breathing, and swimming stroke development. Participants do not need any swimming experience but must be comfortable being in the water. Class will be taught in 3 feet of water to give swimmers the ability to practice their skills. (1 instructor: 4 participants)
Your child may move up to Manta Ray if they are able to successfully demonstrate:
- Front & back float without support.
- Jumping in 5ft of water and recovering back to the surface
- Gliding off the wall on their front & back.
- Retrieving submerged objects in 5 feet of water.
- Using the freestyle & backstroke technique to swim 15 yards.
- Proper side breathing
Intermediate Classes
Seahorse: Ages 4 – 7
For participants who have demonstrated aquatic abilities such as floating, bobbing, and retrieving items in the shallow end. Students will be introduced to a variety of strokes such as freestyle and backstroke that will help them develop a better understanding of swimming basics. (1 instructor: 6 participants)
Your child may move up to Sea Turtle if they are able to successfully demonstrate:
- Rolling from their front to back & back to front.
- Using both arms & legs to swim 5 yards.
- Retrieving submerged objects in 3 feet of water.
- Entering the water by jumping in without assistance.
- Front & back-kick for 5 yards using a kick board or barbell.
- Front & back glide off the wall.
Sea Turtle: Ages 5 – 7
For participants who can float on their front and back independently and can demonstrate the freestyle and backstroke technique. Students will focus on strengthening their freestyle & backstroke skills and will practice fully submerging to retrieve objects in 4 feet of water. (1 instructor: 6 participants)
Your child may move up to Manta Ray if they are able to successfully demonstrate:
- Front & back float without support.
- Using the backstroke technique to swim 15 yards.
- Front & back-kick for 15 yards.
- Jumping in 5 feet of water and recovering back to the surface.
- Using the freestyle technique to swim 15 yards.
- Retrieving submerged objects in 4 feet of water
Manta Ray: Ages 8 – 14
For participants who can swim 15 yards using the correct freestyle and backstroke technique. Students in class will be introduced to swimming in deep water, treading, beginner diving entries, and the breaststroke technique. (1 instructor: 6 participants)
Your child may move up to Sea Lion if they are able to successfully demonstrate:
- Front & back float in deep water.
- Jump in deep water, recover, & swim 25 yards.
- Freestyle, backstroke, & breaststroke for 25 yards.
- Retrieving submerged objects in 7 feet of water.
- Diving headfirst from sitting & kneeling position without support.
- Tread water for 30 seconds.
Advanced Classes
Sea Lion: Ages 9 – 15
For participants who can swim at least 25 – 50 yards correct freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and enter the water headfirst. Students will be introduced to the butterfly stroke, flip turns, treading techniques, and submerging in deep water. (1 instructor: 6 participants)
Your child may move up to Dolphin if they are able to successfully demonstrate:
- Swimming 50 yards using a variety of strokes.
- Diving headfirst from a standing position.
- Swimming underwater for 15 yards.
- Retrieving submerged objects in deep water.
- Traveling 15 yards in a streamline position.
- Treading water for 2 minutes.
Dolphin: Ages 10 – 17
For participants who can swim at least 50 – 100 yards correct freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Each student must be able to perform flip turns, dive from a standing position, and submerge in deep water. Students will work on refining their strokes and stamina to improve their overall swimming ability. (1 instructor: 6 participants)
Your child will have completed all swim level classes by successfully demonstrating all skills
listed above, followed by:
- Swimming 100 yards using a variety of strokes.
- Treading water using only their legs.
- Diving from a standing position and retrieving submerged objects.
- Swimming a 100 yard IM.
Private Lessons
Ages 4 – 17
Does your child need a more individualized lesson? Trained swim instructors will evaluate and work with your child to help them become comfortable in the water, a more confident swimmer, or to improve on strokes. All swim levels are welcome. (1 instructor: 1 participant)
Your child will have the opportunity to work on all the skills listed above, in addition to:
- Stroke refinement.
- Floating & treading techniques.
- Diving techniques.
- Timed continuous swimming.
