City of Los Angeles
Department of Recreation and Parks
Citywide Aquatics
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Swimming Lessons

PlayLA Swim Lesson Levels

Pre-School Aquatics (Parents with children aged 3 - 6 years)

A Parent or Guardian is required to be in the water with their child. Children will learn to enter and exit the water independently, submerge mouth underwater and blow bubbles for 3 seconds, glide on front for 2 body lengths then roll to back and float for 3 seconds and perform arm and leg actions on front and back.

Tiny Tots (Age 3 - 6 years)

Tiny Tots lessons provide small group instruction for youth ages 3 to 6 years old. Lessons are designed for first time swimmers. Classes are 25 minutes in length. Instructors are in the water with the students. Parents are NOT required to be in the water. Maximum of 3 participants per class. Starfish: For first time swimmers. Students will be taught to enter/exit the pool, have breath control, front/back floats and basic water safety. Minnow: Skills in Starfish are required. Opening of eyes and object retrieval underwater. Introduction of rotary arms and kicks during front and back glide.

Water Confidence (Age 7 - 17 years)

Introduction to water safety and water acclimation. This level teaches buoyancy in water and basic locomotion skills. Kicking, breathing and alternative arm action techniques are introduced.

Advanced Beginner (Age 7 - 17 years)

Participants learn advanced skill, dolphin and scissors kicks, rotary breathing, and progressive skills leading to diving, front crawl and elementary backstroke. Please note online registration is limited.

Intermediate (Age 7 - 17 years)

Refine crawl and elementary backstroke. Introduction to back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke and butterfly. Turns and surface dives introduced.

Swimmer (Age 7 - 17 years)

Refine strokes and improve conditioning. Learn additional aquatic skills such as surface dives, flip turns and improve diving into the pool, refine their performance of all six swimming strokes.

Advanced Swimmer (Age 7 - 17 years)

Participants continue to refine all strokes with an emphasis on increased yardage and an introduction to advanced swimming turns. Increase fitness level and ability to swim longer distances.

Adult Beginner (Age 18+ years)

Introduction to water safety and water acclimation. This Adult- beginner level teaches buoyancy in water and basic locomotion skills. Kicking, breathing and alternative arm action techniques are introduced.

Adult Swimmer (Age 18+ years)

Refine strokes and improve conditioning. Learn additional aquatic skills such as surface dives, flip turns and improve diving into the pool, refine their performance of all six swimming strokes.

Private Lessons

Private Swim Lessons
  • Private and semi-private lessons provide personalized instruction to adults or youth ages 3 and older. Lessons are 25 minutes in length.
  • Scheduling is subject to availability, must register for a minimum of four (4) lessons. See manager for more details and availability.

Group Lessons

Group Swim Lessons
  • Online Registration only. (No phone registrations)
  • 5 spots to online registration and 5 spots to in person registration.
  • A total of 10 participants per class.
  • Fees must be paid at time of registration. No exceptions.
  • Make Checks payable to: City of L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks.
  • No Refunds unless session is canceled.
  • Lessons are 25 minutes. If late, we do not make up time.
  • Swim instruction will be given from the pool deck.

Adult Lessons

Adult Swim Lessons
  • Introduction to water safety and water acclimation. The adult lessons teaches buoyancy in water and basic locomotion skills. Kicking, breathing and alternative arm action techniques are introduced.
  • Participants continue to refine all strokes with an emphasis on increased yardage and an introduction to other advanced turns.