Swimming lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What swimming lessons is

Swimming lessons teach water comfort, floating, breathing and strokes in a supervised pool. Parents book them for children who need water safety skills, and adults book them when they never learned to swim or want to feel at ease in the water.

Signs you need it

  • Your child will not put their face in the water or gets upset at the pool edge
  • You are an adult who never learned to float or breathe while swimming
  • You want to swim laps for exercise but run out of breath after a few lengths
  • A lake trip, beach day or pool party is coming and you want basic water skills first
  • Your child is ready to move past parent-supported classes into stroke work

What the pro does

  • Starts with a water comfort check, such as blowing bubbles and getting the face wet, before moving to floats
  • Teaches floating, kicking and gliding with a kickboard, a noodle or the instructor's hand for support
  • Works on breathing rhythm for freestyle and backstroke, one stroke at a time
  • Teaches safe entries, exits and what to do when a student tires near the wall
  • Gives each student a skills checklist so parents and adult students can see progress each week

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Private lesson versus a small group class, and the number of students per class
  • The student's age and comfort in the water, which sets how long the basics take
  • Indoor or outdoor pool and how long the season runs
  • Length of each lesson and the number of lessons in a series
  • Whether lessons are in a shared lane or a private pool
  • The instructor's training credentials and how the pool staffs the class

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of lessons, lesson length and the series schedule
  • Pool location and whether pool time is included
  • Class size, or whether the lesson is private
  • Make-up policy for missed lessons and pool closures
  • Whether the instructor provides a skills checklist or progress notes

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What does a first lesson look like for a child who is nervous in the water?
  • How many students are in each class, and how many staff are on deck?
  • Do you teach floating and breathing before strokes, and how long does that usually take?
  • What safety rules do you follow at the pool, such as flotation for beginners and rules at the wall?
  • Do your instructors pass a background check before they work with children?
  • How will I know when my child or I can swim short distances without help?

Red flags

  • No clear pool rules, such as supervision or how students enter and leave the water
  • Pushes a child into deep water before floating and breathing are learned
  • Does not ask about swimming history or the child's comfort before the first lesson
  • Will not say whether instructors have background checks or water safety training

What you can do yourself

You can build comfort at home with bath-time bubbles, face-in-water games and practice blowing out through the nose. Keep young children within arm's reach around any water, and never leave a child alone in the bath or near a pool. Hire an instructor for real swim lessons, for breathing and strokes, and for any child who is afraid of the water.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach swimming lessons. Many pools ask instructors to hold swim instructor or lifeguard training, and many ask for background checks for anyone who works with children. Check with your state or local licensing agency for rules on the pool or child care at the facility.

Swimming lessons questions

What age can my child start swimming lessons?

Programs vary. Some take babies in parent and child classes, and others start independent lessons later. Ask the pool what age and comfort level it requires before you book.

Does my child need goggles?

Goggles help children who dislike water in their eyes and make it easier to see the instructor. Ask the instructor whether they want goggles for the first lesson.

Can an adult learn to swim without feeling embarrassed?

Yes. Adult classes are common, and the instructor will start with breathing and floating, which many adults have never practiced. Tell the instructor your history before the first lesson.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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