The RBAC will be closing early Saturday, November 23 @ 12:00 pm due to the football game at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
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Swim Lessons

Group Swim Lessons

Swimming lessons provide the opportunity to learn how to swim in a safe and controlled environment with trained professionals.

Water safety education and learning how to swim is important because it can reduce the risk of drowning. Learning how to swim is a life skill that everyone should possess.
It is our mission to make sure that every person is water safe. Quality swim lessons save lives.

For more information or to register: Please call Swim Lessons Customer Service at 

(626) 564-0330 ext.601

Group Swim Lessons

Overview Swim Lessons

We offer group lessons for all ages and swimming abilities. We break down our classes first by age then by current skill set. We provide classes that match the cognitive development for the age group while remaining challenging enough to produce growth and advancement to the next level.

Current & Upcoming Session Dates:

Fall 1: September 9th – October 6th (4 Weeks)
Pre-Registration: *Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Open Registration: *Thursday, August 29, 2024

Fall 2: October 7th – November 3rd (4 Weeks)
Pre-Registration: Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Open Registration: Friday, September 27, 2024  

Fall 3: November 4th – December 1st (4 Weeks)
Pre-Registration: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Open Registration: Friday, October 25, 2024 

Holiday: December 2nd – December 15th (2 Weeks)
Pre-Registration: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Open Registration: Friday, November 22, 2024 

Parent Infant (6-18 months) Ratio 12:1

In order to foster a life-long love for the water, it is vital for babies and toddlers to learn at their own pace. Practicing patience, building trust, and offering encouragement are the keys to your babies swimming success.

Experience tells us that babies will swim when they are ready. Our experienced instructors only teach safe, positive, and effective methods to teach parents and infants how to swim happily and safely!

Parent/Infant Swim Classes are for children 6-18 months old.

Parent Infant Beginner – Rubber Ducky

Entry Level Requirement:

Infant must be 6 months old or be able to hold their head up on their own.This level is a priceless parent infant bonding class that allows children to be stimulated in a new environment and eventually feel comfortable being in the water. Parents will learn to interact with their child safely in the water.

Parent Infant Intermediate – Baby Beluga

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be comfortable putting their face in the water on their own. Child must be able to blow bubbles voluntarily.

This level is a priceless parent infant bonding class, in which the infant already feels comfortable in the water. Parents will be encouraged to allow their infants to voluntarily put their face in the water and blow bubbles. An instructor will facilitate group activities that promote safe water exploration for infants.

Parent Preschool (18 mos - 3 yrs) Ratio 12:1

Parent Preschool – Sea Otters

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be 18 months – 3 years old. Child must be showing signs of wanting to swim out of their parents hands when in the water.

This level is designed for avid toddlers that want to explore the water more freely while still having their parents by their side. They will be introduced to important swimming and survival skills. Depending on how receptive the toddler is, they may even begin to swim short distances on their own.

Preschool (3-6 years) Ratio 5:1

Preschool 1 – Starfish 

No Entry Level Requirement

This level is designed to help students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Children will learn how to enter and exit the pool, hold their breath, blow bubbles, and put their face in the water. They will also learn to float on their belly, back and learn a front glide.

Preschool 2 – Seahorse 

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to float on their belly unassisted and do a front glide for 5 feet.

This level introduces true locomotion skills. Children expand on their front glides to learn how to travel through the water without support. Breath control is introduced and taking a voluntary breath is practiced until mastered.

Preschool 3 – Clownfish

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to swim 10 feet unassisted and take one breath, then continue to swim.

The objective of this level is to increase confidence and water independence. Children will learn to come up for a breath independently and rhythmically. They will become comfortable with distance and deep water swimming. Change of direction is mastered and diving to the bottom of the shallow pool to retrieve an object is introduced. Children also learn how to enter and exit from the side of the pool deck.

Preschool 3 Endurance – Penguin

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to swim 15 feet unassisted with multiple breaths.

The objective of this level is to develop the endurance necessary for Preschool 4. Children will practice swimming 20-25 feet with multiple breaths. Children will be introduced to side breathing with assistance, rainbow arms with assistance, and kicking on their back with assistance.

Preschool 4 – Spotted Seal

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to comfortably swim 20 – 25 feet unassisted with multiple breaths.

This level introduces the three strokes – Freestyle, Elementary Backstroke, and Backstroke. Treading water, recovery to a swimming position, and change of direction is mastered.

Preschool 5 – Dolphin

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to swim 25 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke correctly, comfortably, and without assistance. Child must be able to swim Elementary Backstroke comfortably. Child must be able to retrieve an object from a 5 foot depth without assistance.

The level refines the Freestyle and Backstroke technique. Endurance will increase as swimmers practice strokes in 50 yard increments. Breaststroke dolphin kicks, and treading water with an egg beater kick are introduced.

Preschool 6 – Hammerhead Shark

Entry Level Requirements: Child must be able to swim 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke. Child must be able to swim 25 yards of Breaststroke. Child is familiar with the butterfly kick. Child can tread water using an egg beater kick.

The objective of this level is to prepare students to join a formal swim team. The four competitive strokes are mastered: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Swim team prep such as racing starts, racing dives, and flip turns, will be covered.

School Age (6-12 years) Ratio 6:1

School Age 1 – Turtle

No Entry Level Requirement

The objective of this level is to help students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Children will learn how to enter and exit the pool safely, hold their breath, blow bubbles, and put their face in the water. They will learn how to float on their belly, float on their back, and how to do a front glide.

School Age 2 – Octopus

Entry Level Requirement: Child must feel comfortable submerging their face in the water. Child must be able to float on their belly unassisted and do a front glide for 5 feet.

The objective of this level is to introduce true locomotion skills. Since children already know how to glide, they can now travel through the water with the use of their arms and legs. They will learn how to flutter kick and swim with a basic paddle stroke. They will master floating on their belly and their back. They will continue to work on their front glide and will be taught how to back glide. They will practice treading water. Breath control and taking a voluntary breath is practiced until mastered.

School Age 3 – Manta Ray

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to comfortably swim 20 feet unassisted with multiple breaths. Child can do a front and back glide.

The objective of this level is to increase confidence and water independence. Change of direction and diving to the bottom of the shallow pool to retrieve an object is mastered. Students are introduced to aspects of Freestyle and Backstroke. Treading water, recovery to a swimming position, and change of direction are mastered. Water safety is achieved!

School Age 3 Endurance – Polar Bear

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to tread water. Child must be able to swim 30 feet using the ½ noodle doing rainbow arms. Child must be able to kick on their back using a kickboard or noodle for 30 feet.

The objective of this level is to develop the endurance necessary for School Age 4. Students will be taught to swim Freestyle and Backstroke without assistance. They will learn how to circle swim, and how to swim with fins. They will be taught a safety stroke (Elementary Backstroke) for in the event that they are too tired to finish the lap.

School Age 4 – Crocodile

Entry Level Requirements: Child must be able to swim 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke. Child must also be able to swim 25 yards of Elementary Backstroke.

The objective of this level is to allow students to develop their natural rhythm when swimming Freestyle and Backstroke. They will become comfortable with distance and deep water swimming. Students will be taught a new stroke: Breaststroke.

School Age 5 – Killer Whale

Entry Level Requirement: Child must be able to swim 100 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke with proper form. Child must be able to swim 50 yards of Breaststroke.

The objective of this level is to learn 2 new strokes: Sidestroke and Butterfly. Endurance and stamina will continue to increase as students practice swimming 100+ yards of each stroke. Treading water with an egg beater kick will be taught.

School Age 6 – Great White Shark

Entry Level Requirements: Child must be able to swim all 4 competitive strokes with proper form and efficient technique. Child must be proficient with deep water and distance swimming. Child must be able to tread water.

The objective of this level is to prepare students for a formal swim team. The four competitive strokes are mastered: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Swim team prep such as racing starts, racing dives, and flip turns will be covered.

Junior Adult (13-17 years) Ratio 10:1

Junior Adult Swim Lessons
Classes are 60 minutes long!

No Entry Level Requirement

Whether a complete beginner or an experienced swimmer, this class allows teens to comfortably learn how to swim amongst their peers. As they build their confidence, they will master breath control, learn how to float, kick with proper form, and will eventually be taught true strokes.

Adult (18 years & up) Ratio 10:1

Adult Swim Lessons
Classes are 60 minutes long!

Adult – Beginner

No Entry Level Requirement

This class is designed to introduce the fearful or inexperienced adult to the water. Adults will learn how to relax and feel comfortable in the water. Once a certain level of comfort is achieved adults will be taught breath control, how to float on their belly and back, glide, and then progress to a basic paddle stroke. Freestyle will be taught and practiced until mastered. Adults will also learn to float on their back while kicking.

Adult – Intermediate/ Advanced

Entry Level Requirement: Adult must be able to comfortably swim 150 yards of Freestyle. Adult must also be able to float on their back while kicking. Adult must feel comfortable swimming in a depth where they are not able to stand on the pool floor.
This course covers refining Freestyle and increasing one’s endurance from 150 yards to 400+ yards of Freestyle. Adults will be taught a progression of new strokes: Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Adults will begin to develop more strength and power as they swim. Once the class starts swimming sets, they will learn open turns and flip turns. Water safety is achieved!

Triathlon Training – Beginner

No Entry Level Requirement

When training for the swimming portion of a triathlon, it is important to first feel comfortable in the water. This class will not only teach you how to feel comfortable, but will provide you with enough stroke proficiency to complete any desired distance. Typically, adults are most efficient when swimming Freestyle, so that stroke will be emphasized throughout the course of the class.

Triathlon Training – Intermediate/Advanced

Entry Level Requirement: Must have previously completed a triathlon.
This course is designed to provide Triathletes with an experienced coach while they train for their next Triathlon. Long distance swimming will be emphasized while the instructor breaks down everyone’s stroke so that they swim as efficiently as possible.

Instructors

FAQs

We’d love to hear from you!

How do I register for a class?

To register for swim lessons we will need to create an account for you and your family. The account can be made online or over the phone by providing basic information. Patrons may register for a class online, or over the phone at (626)564-0330 ext. 601. We will need a form of payment to complete the registration and hold your spot. All major credit cards, cash, and checks are accepted. Full payment must be made at the time of registration.

  • Please register online or over the phone at (626)564-0330 ext. 601
  • Due to the limited capacity of our classes, we are unable to register patrons via email
  • Registration is first come, first served
Policies
  • All patrons entering the pool must be wearing proper swimming attire
  • We have lessons rain or shine
  • Zero tolerance policy for students hitting instructors or using profanity
  • All patrons regardless of age must use the restroom prior to getting in the water
  • All infants/toddlers must wear a swim diaper until they are 3 years of age and potty trained
What to bring to swim class:
  • Proper swim attire
  • Goggles
  • Towel
  • Sandals
  • Hat (Parent Infant class)
  • Cover-up
What are the age requirements for swim lessons?
  • Parent Infant (6 months – 18 months)
  • Parent Preschool (18 months – 3 years)
  • Preschool Level (3 years – 6 years)
  • School Age Level (6 years – 12 years)
  • Jr. Adult Levels (13 years – 17 years)
  • Adult Levels (18 years & up)
How do I know what level to sign up for?

Levels are first separated by age, then by current skill set. For a complete list of the level descriptions please see above If you would like to speak with a representative regarding level selection, please call (626)564-0330 ext.601.

Should we register for group or private lessons?

Group lessons are a more economical option. Some children learn better in a group setting. Private lessons are aimed for those swimmers who learn better in a one-on-one setting or those with specific goals in mind.

How long will it take for my child to learn to swim?

All swimmers learn at their own pace. The more consistent the lessons are, the faster children will learn. Parents who use positive encouragement, especially if children are hesitant or show fear of the water, are key in helping their children learn to swim.

How much do swim lessons cost?

Prices vary from session to session. The cost for each 30 minute lesson is $25.00 but we do charge for the full session in advance. Please take a look at our current swim times and prices online or at the front desk.

What is included in my registration fee?

Your registration fee only covers the day and time of the class that you are registered for. Any additional activities such as rec swim, lap swim or use of the spas would be an additional fee.

What is Pre-Registration and how do I qualify?

Pre-Registration occurs 2 days prior to the Open Registration date. It is for those who are enrolled in the current session. Pre-Registration provides an opportunity to select classes before they open to the general public.

Do parents stay during the lessons?

Yes. Parents/guardians must remain at the facility for the entire duration of their child’s class. Parents are not encouraged to wait in the park or in their cars. In the event of a contamination or emergency, everyone will be asked to exit the pool and return to their parent or guardian; therefore we need parents to be around.

What is the swim lesson cancellation policy?

We are always able to early cancel a patron from the remainder of the session for any reason. Once the department is notified, the remaining classes will be put on their account as an account credit. The credit never expires and can be used towards future registrations. We are only able to credit future classes that have not passed and that we no longer have to reserve for you.

Does the Center offer credits or refunds?

Credits are given when classes are canceled due to circumstances out of the center’s control. Credits are also given when a patron early cancels from the remainder of a session or if the class has passed and we are presented with a doctor’s note. The doctor’s note must be on letterhead with the swimmer’s name and dates they cannot be in the water. We have a no refund policy and do not return money back to credit cards.

Can I have a credit if my child got sent home from school but I am not going to the doctor?

Yes. If you can provide a letterhead document from the school stating the swimmer’s name and date of missed class due to being sent home sick from school we can provide a credit to your RBAC account for that day.

Do you offer make-up lessons?

No. We do not have space in our classes to accommodate make-up requests.

If the student misses the first class of the session, will they be removed from the remainder of the session?

No. If the student misses the first class, they will not be removed from the remainder of the session. However, attendance is important. In consideration of others trying to register for classes, we ask that you do not hold space in a class if you are going to miss the majority of the session.

How does the organization deal with multiple absences?

Consistency is key when it comes to the learning process. Frequent absences make it difficult for the student to progress in their swimming abilities. Since we reserve a certain amount of space in each of our classes, frequent absences have the ability to prevent other student’s from participating in that class. Most absences will not result in any sort of action from the organization. However, if the organization determines that an excessive amount (50% or more) of lessons have been missed in a given session or month, the student may be removed from the class/activity. In these circumstances, a credit will be issued to the student’s RBAC account for however many classes are remaining in that session. The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

Can I request an instructor?

Yes. If there is an instructor that you feel is a good fit for your child’s learning abilities you can request that teacher at the time of your next registration. The request is not a guarantee; however, if the instructor is available we will try to make that accommodation.

Can I request my group instructor for private lessons?

There is a set staff for our Private Lessons. These instructors have been at the center the longest and hold the highest levels of expertise. If you would like your group lesson instructor to teach private lessons for your child, this will only be possible if we are able to schedule the private lesson before or after one of their group lesson shifts.

Can I change my child’s level in the middle of the session if I feel they are ready for the next level?

No. Instructors will offer information on your child’s level as it becomes apparent but we do not advise you to switch levels mid session. It is more beneficial for your child to get additional practice to increase their endurance with those skills before moving to the next level.

The class I wanted is full. Can I be waitlisted?

Yes but it is important to mention that the only way to register someone off of a waitlist is if someone un-enrolls from that specific class. This happens on occasion but not very often. Rather, our recommendation would be to register for a class that is open. We offer many levels each half hour, so you should be able to register for a class either 30 minutes before or after your first choice of class. You can check availability with the office as frequently as you would like to see if the time you prefer is available. If it is, we will be able to assist you with registration.

Can both parents be in the water during Parent Infant lessons?

No. Due to pool space only one parent can be in the water at a time with your child. We register the infant/child in the class so if you would like to alternate days for the parent participating, that is an option.

Does my infant need a swim diaper even if they just had a diaper change or went to the restroom?

Yes. All infants and children who are not yet 3 years of age and potty trained must have a swim diaper upon entering the water.

Where are swim lessons taught?

Lessons are taught in the Recreational Pool. The water is heated to 86 degrees
year-round.

My class got cancelled because of a contamination. Can I do a makeup?

No. When classes are cancelled because of a contamination, a credit will be put onto your RBAC account to use towards future lessons. Unfortunately, we do not have space to accomodate make-up requests.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Yes, visit rosebowlaquatics.org/scholarships for more information. 

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