Swim Lessons

About Our Swim School

Menlo Swim School: 2023 Details

We are so excited to announce the revitalization of our Swim School! We have some important information and updates you will need to know before registering for classes.

At this time, Group and Private lessons will be provided as a series depending on the availability of instructors. Our goal is to provide perpetual-weekly lessons year-round starting in the Fall of 2023 once our team is up and running. Sign up for our Newsletter to get interesting news and updates delivered to your inbox (P.S. You’ll also be notified ahead of time when the class schedule will be released)!

We aim to provide safe, life-long skills for swimmers in a fun learning environment. We plan to offer classes for students as young as 6 months old through adulthood. Our new curriculum structure will teach swimmers skills with clear progressions at each level, aiming to be safe swimmers with proper technique. By the end of the four main levels, students will have learned Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly, and will be able to swim 25 yards independently. Once students graduate from the Swim School, they have the available option to try out for the Bridge Youth Swim Team. For more information and to find out which class your student should sign up for, please visit our Levels and Classes page.

When showing up for a swim lesson, please:

1. Be dressed and ready to swim, and use the restroom before class.
2. Bring your own towels and goggles.
3. “Double-Diaper” policy is required for students under 3 years old regardless if potty trained or not. This is a disposable swim diaper covered by a reusable swim diaper.

Note: Flotation devices and any equipment that is not provided by the swim school, cannot be used in the lesson for liability purposes.

Our Setting
Menlo Swim School lessons are taught in the Burgess Pools in Menlo Park. Burgess Pool is part of a nine acre public open space and sports facility, and is adjacent to the Arrillaga Family Gymnastics Center, Arrillaga Family Gymnasium, Burgess Skate Park, Arrillaga Family Recreation Center and the Menlo Park Library. In Burgess Park, you will find a public playground, picnic tables with barbecues, soccer fields, tennis courts and baseball diamonds.

Class Level Progressions at Menlo Swim School

During the first group lesson, our instructors will assess swimmers through our in-water progression to assess skills and confirm whether that is the appropriate level for your swimmer. The Instructor and Deck Coordinator will decide which level best suits swimmers based on their abilities, comfort, and safety. If the staff decides that the level is too easy or too difficult for the swimmer, the caretaker must sign up for the appropriate class based on the staff’s evaluation.

*Class Ratios are for booking purposes. Unforeseen circumstances day of may increase ratio.

Private Lessons are taught based on the ability and individual needs of the swimmer. The instructor will assess swimmers to ensure where the lesson will start.

Water Babies 1 (Age 6-18 months)
This infant class will introduce your child to the water and aims to help your child gain comfort while swimming with a caretaker. The class will sing songs and play games while teaching back floats, kicks, submerging underwater, and how to safely swim to the wall and climb out. The max student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1, with a minimum age of 6 months and a maximum age of 18 months. Your child must be 6 months old by your first lesson or turning 6 months old within your session to attend.

Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Water comfort and swimming with a caretaker.
Class ratio: 6:1
1 caretaker per child

Note: “Double-Diaper” policy is required for students under 3 years old. This is a disposable swim diaper covered by a reusable swim diaper.

Water Babies 2 (Age 1.5-3 yrs)
This class will introduce your child to the water and aims to help your child gain comfort while swimming with a caretaker. As students get closer to 3 years old, we will begin to prepare them for youth swim lessons. The class will teach students to blow bubbles, back float, equipment-assisted and no assisted tummy kicks, back kicks, submerging underwater, and how to safely swim to the wall and climb out. The max student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1, with a minimum age of 1.5 years and a maximum of 3 years old. Your child must be 1.5 years old by your first lesson or turning 1.5 years old within your session to attend.

Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Water comfort, swimming with a caretaker and preparing for youth swim lessons!
Class Ratio: 6:1
1 caretaker per child

Note: “Double-Diaper” policy is required for students under 3 years old. This is a disposable swim diaper covered by a reusable swim diaper.

Level 1: Little Kids (Beginners 3 – 4.11 years old)
No experience needed! This beginner class focuses on your child’s water confidence while developing their comfort and basic water safety skills without a parent in the water. This class will teach fundamental swim skills such as submerging underwater, front and back floats, and kicking on their front and back side for a short distance. We will also teach students how to recover after jumping/falling into the water. Your child must be turning 3 years old within your session to attend.

*Requirement: 3 yo – 4.11 yo
Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Water comfort and swimming with an instructor.
Class Ratio: 3:1

Note: If your swimmer is not toilet trained, our “Double-Diaper” policy is required. This is a disposable swim diaper covered by a reusable swim diaper.

Level 1: Big Kids (Beginners 5 years old+)
No experience needed! This beginner class focuses on your child’s water confidence while developing their comfort and basic water safety skills without a parent in the water. This class continues teaching fundamental swim skills learned from Level 1: Little Kids such as submerging underwater and floating. We will work on independent swimming at a longer distance, breathing techniques, and water safety skills such as knowing what to do if we fall in the pool!

*Requirement: 5+ years old OR completion of Level 1: Little Kids
Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Independently swim 20ft with streamline kicks, back kicks and roll-over breaths.
Class Ratio: 3:1

Level 2
This intermediate class teaches students introductory strokes for Freestyle and Backstroke while continuing to develop their comfort and water safety skills.

*This class swims in the deep end of the pool (approx. 6.5 ft)

*Entry Requirement: Can independently swim 20 ft with streamline kicks, back kicks, and roll-over breaths, and is comfortable swimming in 6.5 ft deep water.
Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Independent freestyle with roll-over breaths and Backstroke for 12.5 yds.
Class Ratio: 3:1

Level 3
Swimmers will enhance their Freestyle by learning side-breathing and developing overall efficiency within the stroke while we also continue to work on Backstroke for 25 yards. Additionally, students will be introduced to Breaststroke kicks.

*This class swims in the deep end of the pool (approx. 6.5 ft)

*Entry Requirement: Can independently swim Freestyle with roll-over breaths and Backstroke for 12.5 yards.
Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Freestyle with side-breathing, Backstroke, and Breaststroke kicks for 25 yards.
Class Ratio: 4:1

Level 4
Swimmers will review Freestyle, Backstroke, and the introductory Breaststroke kick, and continue overall efficiency within the strokes. In this class, we will learn Breaststroke with proper breathing technique, Butterfly, and somersaults to prepare for flip-turns. Through hands-on instruction, swimmers develop proper body position, breathing, and rhythm.

*This class swims in the deep end of the pool (approx. 6.5 ft)

*Entry Requirement: Freestyle with side-breathing, Backstroke, and Breaststroke kicks for 25 yards.
Duration: 30 minutes
Goal: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly for 50 yards.
Class Ratio: 4:1

Upon completion of Level 4 in Swim School, students have the available option to try out for our Bridge Youth Swim Team.

Schedule & Pricing for Private Swim Lessons

Private Lessons
All lessons are 30 minutes in length

Pricing

Our 30 minute lessons will take place in the Instructional Pool.

Private Lessons: $76/lesson

Registration Info

Swim lessons are privately booked lessons with up to 4 participants in the class.

Instructors can be requested to be in or out of the water.

If your child is not water safe, a parent or instructor must be in the water with the child.

During the first group lesson, our instructors will assess swimmers through in-water progression to assess skills and confirm whether that is the appropriate level for your swimmer. The Instructor and Deck Coordinator will decide which level best suits swimmers based on their abilities, comfort, and safety. If the staff decides that the level is too easy or too difficult for the swimmer, the caretaker must sign up for the appropriate class based on the staff’s evaluation.

For specific class details like entry requirements and class level goals, please visit our Class Levels page to learn more.

Schedule 

April 17 – May 26, 2023

Registration Opens Monday, March 27th at 12:00pm!

These lessons are booked as a series from April 17 – May 26, 2023.

ALL lessons are 30 minutes.

Water Babies 1 (Age 6-18 months)

Water Babies 2 (Age 1.5 – 3 years)

Level 1: Little Kids (Beginners 3 – 4.11 years old)

Level 1: Big Kids (Beginners 5+ years old)

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Not sure which level to sign up for? Visit our Class Levels page to learn more!

Pricing

Group Lessons: $25/lesson

*These lessons are booked as a series from April 17th – May 26th*

*Youth Scholarships available from Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation. For more information and to see if you qualify please fill out this form.

Lessons will be held in the Instructional Pool

Registration Opens Monday, March 27th at 12:00pm!

Cancellation Policy – Group Lessons
All bookings are final.
No makeups, credits or refunds for missed classes.
We will have a waitlist available to allow for late additions

Schedule 

April 1 – April 15
Drop-in lessons are not a series. Book each individual lesson you wish to attend April 1 – April 15, 2023. *There will not be any group lessons on Saturday, April 8 – Monday, April 10 for Easter weekend.

For specific class details like entry requirements and class level goals, please visit our Class Levels page to learn more.

Registration Opens Monday, March 20th at 12:00pm!

Adult Group Lessons – Beginner

Adult Group Lessons – Intermediate/Advanced

Adult lessons are 45 minutes.

Youth Group Lessons: Levels 1-4

Water Babies 1 (Age 6-18 months)

Water Babies 2 (Age 1.5 – 3 years)

Youth Lessons are 30 minutes.

Pricing

Group Lessons: $25/lesson

*Drop-in lessons are not a series. Book each individual lesson you wish to attend*

*Class Ratios are for booking purposes. Unforeseen circumstances day of may increase ratio.

*Youth Scholarships available from Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation. For more information and to see if you qualify please fill out this form.

Lessons will be held in the Instructional Pool

Registration Opens Monday, March 20th at 12:00pm!

Cancellation Policy – Group Lessons
All bookings are final.
No refunds or credits will be issued.
No makeups, credits or refunds for missed classes.

Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation Scholarships

Menlo Swim & Sport is proud to partner with the Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation (BBAF). BBAF offers scholarships to those financially in need who want to develop a life-long love for swimming in the Bay area. You can visit their website by clicking the link above to see all of their partners in the Bay area.

Menlo Swim & Sport offers BBAF scholarships for the following programs:

Swim School (Burgess)
Lifeguard Certification (Burgess)
Camp Menlo Aquatics Camp (Burgess)
Bridge Youth Team (Burgess)

For more information and to see if you qualify please fill out this form.

BBAF Submission Form

Coaches & Instructors

Our Instructors
Each of our instructors completes training with a master instructor trainer before beginning solo instruction. Our Master Instructors have over 5 years of experience teaching swim lessons. New instructors are cross-trained with current instructors, so all instructors are familiar with current teaching techniques and methods. All our instructors attend regular on-going training throughout the year, to develop them as instructors, swimmers and individuals and strengthen our swim lesson program.

Our Head of Swim School

Meet our Swim Instructors!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I schedule a swim lesson class for my child?
A. Lessons can be booked online here for private or group lessons.

Q: It is raining! Is my swim lesson going to be cancelled?
A: Lessons continue rain or shine!  In the event of lightning or thunder, the pool will be closed for 30 minutes following the last event. If your swimming lessons are cancelled during this period of time you will qualify for a makeup lesson. Makeups must be scheduled within 30 days of the missed class.

Q: Can I go in the pool with my child for the private lesson since the instructor is on the side? Can I book my two kids in a semi-private lesson?
A: We allow up to 4 students per lesson. Also upon request, the swim instructor can be in the water with the students.

Parents are also allowed to join any privately booked lesson with their child if their child is not water safe and would like to keep socially distancing from the instructor.

If your student is NOT water safe, they need to have either a parent or instructor in the water with them.

Parents are not allowed to enter the water with our group lessons (except Baby & Me classes).

Q: What days are you closed?
A: Swim School is closed on certain holidays. Check out our Swim School holidays here

Policies

Registration
All of our lessons are by appointment. Payment for lessons are due in full at the time of booking.

Registration for a new lesson can be done online by clicking this link.

Cancellation Policy – Private Lessons
Any cancellations or changes must be made 48 hours in advance to avoid charges.

No makeups.

Cancellation Policy – Group Lessons
All bookings are final.
No refunds or credits will be issued.
No makeups, credits or refunds for missed classes

We will have a waitlist for individual classes to allow for late additions

15 Minute Sunscreen Rule
Menlo Swim and Sport requires that swimmers apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes prior to getting into the pool. This allows us to maintain optimal cleanliness to our facilities.