Swimming is more than just a fun summer activity; it’s a vital life skill that boosts your overall well-being, enhances physical fitness, and most importantly, can be life-saving. Understanding the importance of water safety and accessibility to learn swimming, NYC Parks is proud to offer free Swimming Learning Classes across our recreation centers. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your strokes, our comprehensive programs are designed to cater to every New Yorker, regardless of age or skill level. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to become water confident – register for the NYC Parks Learn to Swim lottery today!
Who Can Enroll in Swimming Learning Classes?
Our swimming learning classes are truly for everyone! We believe age is just a number when it comes to learning to swim. We offer specialized classes tailored to different age groups, ensuring a comfortable and effective learning environment for all:
- Tots (Ages 1 ½ – 5): Introduce your little ones to the joys of water early! Our tot classes focus on water acclimation, helping them become comfortable with floating and breath-holding in a playful and safe setting.
- Children (Ages 6-17): From beginners taking their first strokes to more experienced young swimmers aiming to perfect their technique, our children’s classes offer a range of levels to match their abilities and help them progress confidently.
- Adults: It’s never too late to learn! Our adult swimming learning classes provide a supportive environment for adults of all backgrounds to learn basic swimming and essential water safety skills, including breath control, floating, and fundamental strokes.
- Seniors (Ages 62 and Over): Enhance your fitness and enjoy the low-impact benefits of swimming. Our senior classes focus on gentle yet effective swimming learning classes that build water confidence and teach basic swimming and safety skills at a comfortable pace.
What Will You Learn in Our Swimming Learning Classes?
Our swimming learning classes are structured to provide progressive skill development, tailored to your age and starting level. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect to learn:
- For Tots: Our youngest learners will engage in fun, interactive activities designed to build water familiarity. They’ll learn to be comfortable in the water, practice floating with support, and get acquainted with holding their breath in a playful manner.
- For Children: We offer a structured curriculum that progresses from foundational skills to more advanced swimming techniques. Children will learn essential water safety skills, basic strokes like freestyle and backstroke, and build endurance in the water. More advanced classes may introduce techniques for breaststroke, butterfly, and diving.
- For Adults and Seniors: Our adult swimming learning classes focus on building a strong foundation in water safety and basic swimming. You’ll learn crucial skills such as breath control techniques, how to float and stay buoyant, and master essential arm and leg strokes to propel yourself through the water. Our goal is to make you comfortable and safe in various water environments.
Check our detailed schedule to explore the specific programs available and find the perfect swimming learning classes that align with your needs and goals.
Explore More Free Swim Programs
NYC Parks offers a variety of aquatic programs to cater to diverse interests and needs. Beyond our core swimming learning classes, consider exploring these free opportunities:
- Adaptive Aquatics: We provide specialized swim programs for people with disabilities, ensuring everyone has access to the benefits of swimming.
- Water Exercise Classes: Adults and seniors can enjoy invigorating water exercise classes, a fantastic way to stay active and healthy in a low-impact environment.
- Swim Team for Advanced Youth Swimmers: For talented young swimmers looking to take their skills to the next level, our swim team offers advanced training and competitive opportunities.
For a comprehensive list of our offerings, visit our swim programs page.
How to Sign Up for Swimming Learning Classes
We strive to make our swimming learning classes accessible to all New Yorkers. To ensure fairness in enrollment for our popular free programs, we utilize a lottery system. Here’s a step-by-step guide to registering:
- Choose Only One Class: Each person can register for one class per lottery session. Multiple registrations will not increase your chances of selection.
- Register Each Child Separately: If you have multiple children interested in swimming learning classes, make sure to submit a separate registration for each child.
- Non-Transferable Applications: Lottery selections are personal and cannot be transferred to another individual, even family members.
Need assistance with the lottery registration process? Visit our Managing Your Account page for guidance on creating an account, or visit your nearest recreation center where our friendly staff can provide in-person support.
If You Are Selected for Swimming Learning Classes
Congratulations! If you or your child is selected in the lottery, please take note of the following important steps:
- Register Within Three Days: You will have a 3-day window after the lottery closes to confirm your spot in the swimming learning classes.
- Mandatory Water Test for Saturday Children’s Classes: Children selected for Saturday classes are required to attend a water test before the first class. This helps us assess skill levels and ensure appropriate class placement. Failure to attend the water test and the first class will result in being dropped from the session.
- Consistent Attendance is Key: To make the most of your swimming learning classes and allow others on the waitlist to participate if you cannot, please avoid missing two consecutive classes. Swimmers absent for two classes in a row will be dropped from the class.
If You Are Not Selected
Don’t be discouraged if you are not selected in the initial lottery. There are still opportunities to participate:
- Join the Waiting List: If you don’t receive an email confirming your lottery selection, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list. While we cannot provide updates on your position on the waitlist, spots may become available.
- Re-apply for Future Sessions: Our swimming learning classes are highly popular, and we encourage you to try again in the next session! With multiple sessions throughout the year, there are ongoing chances to learn to swim.
Swimming Learning Classes Schedule
We offer three sessions of swimming learning classes annually: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Lottery registration opens before each session. Summer classes are also available at our outdoor pools.
Winter Lottery Registration Dates: Monday, December 16 – Monday, January 6
Saturday Children Learn to Swim Mandatory Water Test: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Walk-in Registration (Waitlist): Saturday, January 18, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Visit a recreation center on this day to add your name to the waitlist. Available spaces will be filled from the walk-in waitlist after the online waitlist is exhausted.
The Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center offers unique programs and dates. Please check their specific schedule for details, including water test dates from January 13 – January 16 and on Saturday, January 18.
Cost of Swimming Learning Classes
Our swimming learning classes are offered completely FREE with a recreation center membership! To participate, all individuals, including children, adults, and parents of tots, must have a valid recreation center membership.
Learn more about becoming a recreation center member and take the plunge into the world of swimming!
