Whether you plan to spend the summer with your kids poolside or by the beach, your bathing babies need to be water safe. There are swim lessons all over the Los Angeles area and at every level so you can find a class that will have your little water bug swimming like a fish.
Water safety is a big concern for any parents, but with so many homes boasting pools in the L.A. area, it's even bigger. According to the CDC, drowning is the second injury-related cause of death for children ages 1 to 14. The Infant Swim Resource teaches children ages 6 months to 6 years of age water safety and survival skills. Tots learn to roll onto their backs, call for help and even swim to the side of the pool and exit. ISR is a big commitment with daily, private classes lasting a minimum of 10 minutes for a four to six week period, depending on the child's progress but the peace of mind is well worth the price and time. (Prices and locations vary, check the website for instructor near you).
Emily Cohen's The Water Whisperer is a Valley favorite with heated saline pools in both Woodland Hills and Sherman Oaks. Cohen, a former teacher for 18 years has creative and loving methods for helping kids feel confident in the water—from hugs and affection to foam noodles and puppets. The recommended program is a 10-day one-on-one course with each class lasting 20 minutes. Babies 6 months to 2 ½ years are taught how to float, kick, paddle and climb in and out of the pool by themselves. The curriculum is faster paced for children 2 ½ and up. They learn to jump in and swim across the pool, pick up toys off the bottom and more. If you want to spend a bit less, group lessons are also available. ($250-350; Woodland Hills and Sherman Oaks locations; (641) 715-3900 ext. 2626067#).
Crossroads School (pictured) in Santa Monica offers private swim lessons in the 25 yard, six lane outdoor, heated pool. Offered to the public ranging from age 3 to 17, each lesson last 45 minutes wherein kiddos learn to blow bubbles and swim with confidence. Older kids from 1st through 7th grade can also sign up for swim camp which includes honing swimming skills, water games and more ($140-280, 1714 21st Street, Santa Monica, 310-829-7391).
Want to learn from a true pro? Then head to Lenny Krayzelburg JCC Swim Academy, which was founded by four-time gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg himself. Starting at age 2, kids learn basic water safety and then work their way up to learning all the strokes as they age. In addition, the Academy offers the SwimRight Method, a course that teaches kids how to handle the worst case scenario: what to do if they fall in to the water and how to survive. In addition, they offer Parent Tot classes for kids under 2, which uses songs to teach simple skills while older kids can nail down their strokes from the back to the butterfly (Westside JCC, 5870 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-525-0323; New JCC, 22622 Vanowen Street, West Hills, 818-464-3315).
If you're looking for private swim lessons in your home, then Head Above Water is for you. They offer Parent and Me classes for tots from six to twenty months as well as classes geared for older kids and even adults. The goal is for the kids to learn to love the water and have fun in an aquatic environment. Best of all, if you want the ease of a home lesson at half the price, you can pair up with a friend or relative and split the cost. Choose from 6 sessions or 10 sessions or form your own group for savings. In addition to privates, they also teach at pools throughout the Los Angeles area ($90-810; locations vary, 888-990-SWIM).
And of course, don't forget to check out your local YMCA for classes. Kids ages two and up can learn all the basic skills from blowing bubbles to kicking at a reasonable rate.
—Lara Burnap
