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Review the swim levels below to determine which group lessons are the best match! Once you've determined your level, register online.
For questions about the group swim levels, please call 454-7953
Ages 6 months & up. Parents are in the water to learn how to teach their child age appropriate swim skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Participation in songs and games makes the experience a positive one. Swim Diaper Policy: Children must wear 2 layers of protection- a disposable swim diaper as well as a tight-fitting swim suit if not yet toilet trained. Class ratio is 7:1
Ages 2.5 & up. Prerequisite: Comfortable in the water and able to listen without an adult. Skills introduced: Blowing bubbles, supported front/back floats, introduction to arm movements and kicks, and facial submersion. Class emphasis is on water adjustment and fun! Class ratio is 4:1
Ages 3 & up. Prerequisite: Barnacle graduate or capable of fully submerging face while blowing bubbles and comfortable floating and/or kicking on front and back with support. Skills introduced: Rhythmic breathing 'bobs', entering and exiting from side of pool, unassisted front and back floats with recovery, assisted swim on front and back with arm strokes and kicks, and orientation to deep water. Class ratio is 4:1
Ages 3 1/2 & up. Prerequisite: Guppy graduate, or: must be able to fully submerge face for 5-10 seconds, blow bubbles, float unsupported on front and back for 5 seconds, reach and circle arms (breaststroke) and front alternating arms (freestyle) for 3-5 yards with face in the water, bobbing with rhythmic breathing 5 times in a row; and retrieving objects in chest-deep water. Skills introduced: Introduction to breathing while swimming breaststroke and freestyle, unassisted back glides and elementary backstroke, turning over, and have an introduction to treading water. Class ratio is 4:1
Ages 4 & up. Prerequisite: Goldfish graduate, or capable of: unassisted strokes on front using alternating arm action with side breathing for 10-15 yards; unassisted back stroke with alternating arm action for 5-10 yards, demonstrate front and back glides with push offs from the wall. Skills introduced: Front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing technique, back crawl (backstroke), elementary backstroke, beginning dives, treading water for 30 seconds and have increased swimming endurance. Class ratio is 5:1
Please note- water depth of the sea turtle class location is 3'6" minimum. If your child is under 4ft tall and/or has not taken swimming lessons in the past year, staff recommend repeating a Goldfish class (level 3) prior to registering for the Sea Turtles level.
Ages 5 & up. Prerequisite: Sea Turtle graduate or capable of: swimming 15-20 yards of front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing and breaststroke with breathing, backstroke at least 10-15 yards, and be safe in deep water- ability to tread water at least 30 seconds. Skills improved: Front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing and increased endurance, back crawl (backstroke) , treading water, and standing dives. Skills introduced: sidestroke with scissor kick, open turns at wall (flip turns), sculling and deep water bobbing. Class ratio is 5:1
Ages 5 and up: Prerequisite: Sea Otter graduate or capable of swimming 25+ yards front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing, 25 yards backstroke, 25 yards breaststroke, scissors kick for 10 yards, and able to tread water for at least 1 minute. Skills Improved: Front crawl (freestyle) with rotary breathing and increased endurance, backstroke, breaststroke, standing dives, treading water, open turns for all strokes, Skills introduced: Butterfly stroke and Sidestroke. Many Sea Lion and Barracuda offerings are combined classes.
Barracuda
Ages 5 and up: Prerequisite: Sea Lion graduate or capable of: swimming 50+ yards front crawl (freestyle) with side breathing, 50+ yards backstroke, 50+ yards breaststroke, dolphin kick (butterfly kick) for 10 yards, and tread water for 90 seconds. Skill improvement: refining/strengthening backstroke, freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly techniques. Many Sea Lion and Barracuda offerings are combined classes.
For ages 8-15. Pre-Competition (Pre-Comp) promotes a recreational approach to competitive swimming. It is designed to improve and strengthen swimming skills as preparation to join a swim team, or to prepare for a Junior Lifeguard or Lifeguard training program. Aquatic Staff Coaches will lead hour-long workouts with an emphasis on the four competitive swimming strokes along with starting and turning techniques. A fitness component will also be emphasized. Prerequisite: A repeat Barracuda swimmer, or capable of: swimming 100 yards front crawl with side breathing, 100 yards backstroke, 50 yards breaststroke, 25 yards butterfly, and tread water for 3+ minutes.
Learn more details and how to register below!
A water wheel chair is available at the swim center. Each pool has stationary, ADA compliant lifts plus a mobile lift for entry into the pools. An additional gender-inclusive bathroom is available with an ADA shower, changing bed, locker, and toilet. Questions? Contact Us!
(831) 454-7960 (Swim Center)
(831) 454-7953 (Swim Lesson Registration Line)
Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays
swimcenter@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov
Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited.