Swim lessons

Swimming lessons available June 3 - August 8

El Salvador Center, Jerome Center, and Salgado Center

All lessons are taught by your friendly and certified Santa Ana Parks & Recreation staff instructors, and follow American Red Cross (ARC) guidelines. An active Santa Ana Parks & Recreation lifeguard will be present on duty during all lessons. For more questions and more information, call the Aquatics Office at (714) 571-4261.

Session information

• Each session is two-weeks long and includes 8 (30-minute) lessons.
• Pricing:
  • Residents: $55 per session
  • Non-residents: $65 per session
  • Swim scholarships now available 
  • Online registration: credit cards accepted
  • In-person registration: checks and money orders only
• Class times: Range from 11:50 a.m. - 12:55 p.m. and 3:35 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. View full session schedule below.

Swim lessons levels

Parent and Me (6 months - 3 years):

• Big Fish Lil Fish (10 students per lesson) 
  • Guardian required in water for each swimmer
  • Class focus on water acclimation and exploration
  • Swim diapers required

Preschool Aquatics (4 - 5 years):

• Jellyfish (5 students per lesson)
  • No guardian in water
  • Children ready to independently learn basic water safety skills with the support of an instructor

Learn to Swim (L2S) (6-17 years):

• L2S Level 1 – Pufferfish (6 students per lesson)
  • Beginning swimmers starting to get comfortable in the water

• L2S Level 2 – Sea Turtles (6 students per lesson)
  • Intermediate swimmers who can float and swim independently
  • Lessons focus on stroke technique
• L2S Level 3 – River Otters (8 students per lesson)
  • Advanced swimmers who can swim the full length of the pool
  • Lessons focus on refining stroke technique

Adults and teens (14+ years):

• All skill levels
• Offered at El Salvador pool
• Mondays and Wednesday from 6:55 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.
• Instructors will mainly focus on the adult swimmer's needs.
• Focus on building students' comfort and independence in the water.

Summer 2024 lessons times, levels, and locations

*See level breakdown above for clarification on age ranges and skill-level

Swimming lesson weather policy

Rain or shine... overcast or marine layer, Santa Ana swim lessons are still a go! If there is thunder and lightning, lifeguards will determine if it is unsafe to be in the water.

Pool safety regulations outline that pools of water must remain clear for 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder strike. If lessons have to be postponed or rescheduled, water safety instructors will notify their class by email and phone call. Make-up swimming lessons will only be offered to participants if enrolled in classes that are cancelled due to weather. Instructors will provide all important information regarding make-up classes in the notification emails and phone calls.