Learn to Swim Class Descriptions
Learn to Swim classes are offered in 25- and/or 40-minute options. Click the titles below to learn more and register.
Infant & Toddler: Ages 6-30 months
Ducklings
A child-and-parent class for infants and toddlers designed to achieve a high level of comfort in and around water. Parents will be instructed in basic skills that will aid the child in learning elementary swimming skills. Adult required in water with child.
Preschool & School Age: Ages 2.5-5.5
Parent & Little Fish
Is your little one not ready to take a class without you? This class allows the parent/adult to get in the water for the first day of class with their child, as well as up to the next three classes. No parents in the water for the last four classes. Class content follows Little Fish: Starfish and Sea Dragons.
Little Fish: Starfish, Sea Dragon, Seahorse, Sea Lions & Sharks
Skills vary by level and may include: water entry, floating, kicking, freestyle (with side breathing), elementary backstroke, breaststroke, wall turns and water safety. Based on their skill level, children are grouped into Starfish, Sea Dragon, Seahorse, Sea Lions and Sharks, but may be moved according to their abilities. Your child has the option of moving into the Big Fish Program (Turtles or Eels) when turning 6. Little Eels (ages 5 & 6 only). Children must be able to complete 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing, backstroke and elementary backstroke, as well as, 15 yards of butterfly kick and breaststroke. Child must have completed one session of Little Fish: Sharks to enroll in this level.
Big Fish: Ages 6-13
We reserve the right to move your child from the class you signed up for to one that is more developmentally appropriate.
Hippos
For children with little or no swimming experience. Skills include: water entry, floating, flutter kicking, arm action and basic pool safety.
Turtles
Children must possess skills from Hippos and swim 15 yards unassisted. Skills include: freestyle with side breathing, backstroke, butterfly kick, breaststroke kick and elementary backstroke plus water safety skills.
Eels
Children must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle with side breathing, backstroke and elementary backstroke. Instruction focuses on endurance with backstroke and freestyle, while building on butterfly and breaststroke. Sidestroke and wall turns will be introduced.
Dolphins
Instructor is no longer required in the water. Child needs to be comfortable in deep water and must be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke, as well as 25 yards of breaststroke, butterfly and sidestroke. Instruction focuses on the refinement of all the strokes while increasing distance.
Marlins
Instructor is no longer required in the water. Child needs to be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim 100 yards of freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke; 50 yards of breaststroke and butterfly; and swim 200 yards continuously. Instruction focuses on building endurance and proper stroke technique to complete a 100 yard individual medley.
Teen & Adult: Ages 13+
Teen Swim Lessons
This class is appropriate for students ranging from no swimming experience to a limited swimming background. Class content mirrors Big Fish: Hippos and Turtles skills.
Adult Swim Lessons
Appropriate for ages 18 and older ranging from no swimming experience to limited swimming background. Instruction will focus on individual water instruction in a group setting based on learning interests.
Adaptive Swim Program (ages 3+)
The City of Irvine provides accommodations and services for children ages three and older with disabilities. Accommodation Request Application and signed Release of Information Sheet must be submitted two weeks prior to registration. Space is limited. Please contact Disability Services for registration, 949-724-6637.
Angelfish
One-on-one instruction focuses on comfort in the water and achieving success in an aquatic environment for participants with cognitive and/or physical disability.
Guppies
These group lessons, focused on those with special needs, have a student to instructor ratio of three swimmers per instructor. Participants will work on basic water skills and physical fitness. Register online after successfully completing an Angelfish class.
Additional Programs
Private & Semi-Private Lessons
For ages 6 months and older. A limited amount of private lessons will be offered for one (private) to two participants (semi-private) per instructor. The person requesting the semi-private class is responsible for finding the additional participant. Classes are scaled to the participant’s skill level.
H2O Dive
For ages 7-13. Learn proper diving techniques from our one and three meter springboards. Classes run March through October.
H2O Polo
For ages 9-14. Learn or improve on basic water polo skills including: head-up swimming, dribbling, passing and shooting, including rules and strategies of the game.