Swim Lessons for Teens & Pre-Teens
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Private swim class for 11YO
May 2013
Our 11 year old son needs to learn how to swim. We have done group classes in the past and they simply do not work for him. We are looking for private (one on one) classes once or twice a week on weekdays at 6pm or later (working parents). Anywhere from Richmond to Berkeley would be fine location-wise. mom of a wanna-be swimmer
Alameda has some fabulous swim class and private session opportunities. -Alameda Park & Rec offers private swim lessons at a great price -Aquatech Swim School -more options with a curriculum and kid friendly incentives -Harbor Bay Athletic Club -more flexible scheduling Momma of initially reluctant little and big swimmers
Swim lessons for 16 y.o. almost-beginner
May 2010
Each of the past two summers, my teenage son has taken private swim lessons at King Pool. He is a very reluctant student - has no interest in learning to swim, but we are insisting. The first summer, he made some progress, getting to the basics of how to swim. Last year he pretty much stagnated. He can get into position and swim a few strokes, but then either fear or something makes him stop and put his feet down. At King, there was always a different teacher, and they didn't really have a consistent plan to help him attain our goal: being able to swim well enough to be fairly safe around water. He seemed to work on something different each time, with the result that he really got no further than the previous year. He hates doing this, but for safety, we really need to get him into a program that will help him learn to swim this summer. Our schedule is pretty flexible and I'm willing to drive for the right situation. Private teacher? Adult beginner classes? (joining a little kid class is definitely not an option). His perspective is that he wants to go as little as possible, and not every day (but we might override that preference if that's best). Any suggestions are welcome, especially if your teen has succeeded in a similar situation. R.K.
I have a 14 year old son in the same situation. What's worked best for him has been private lessons. (You can do this through Strawberry Canyon rec or any public pool.) He's now at the point where he can actually swim, but he needs practice to have more confidence that he can make it across the pool without stopping. He doesn't want to be embarrassed when there's the swim unit in PE, so he's been motivated to work out it (finally). It really has to be one-on-one at this age though and it might only take a few lessons for the basics. After that it's just time in the water. mother of reluctant swimmer
My experience as a swimmer, former lifeguard, parent of kids-learning-to- swim is that private lessons with the same person are the most efficient way to teach a kid to swim. And given your sons age and not wanting to be with little kids (completely understandable) probably the way to go. (I'm not clear from your post if the lessons at King were private.)
My kids are younger but they've had a great experience with private lessons at the Berkeley Y with Miranda Boon and Shelley Prater. The Y also has male swim instructors (UC students?) so that might feel better to your son. I think you can do lessons at the Y without being a member. You could probably also arrange to do at least 2 or 3 lessons a week so that his learning builds on itself.
If you're willing to travel through the tunnel, there are swim schools over there that would also be worth a look. (They're in BPN archives.) Their lessons might also be daily or 4 days a week. Good luck, Rachel
Hi, I think your son would do better with private lessons. Its always hard to be a beginner when your 16 and others are watching. I recommend either Erin Lucas or Claire Donaldson at the Mills College pool . They are both experience teachers who teach children and adults. They are aware of their students, when to push and when to back off. Also, the Mills pool is great because they have a large wide area (about 4 lanes wide) that is all shallow enough that your son can stand up any time he needs to and the lap swimmers are in a different area. Tyler
I think you're on the right track with private lessons, but need to find a situation where he can work with the same person every time. Working consistently with a 'coach' a couple days a week would probably work well. What we did with our (younger) child is find someone who was giving lessons at a public pool and then work out a private arrangement directly with her. That way she built a rapport and trust with our daughter and could track her progress. Good luck!
You need to try Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante. It is probably a hike from where you live, but they are THE BEST! We commuted from Rockridge daily for the past two summers. A 16-yr old would definitely want to be in an adult class. They have them at Canyon. My extremely-resistant children have all learned to swim there. One huge draw (in addition to the excellent instruction) is the VERY warm water! Canyon Swim School is the best
I would recommend the adult beginner classes at the City of El Cerrito pool . My daughter's kid class followed that one and I noticed how the adults, including older teens and young adults, really progressed and seemed to enjoy the class. Contra Costa College also has swimming classes. -- a mom
You might try Aquatech Swim School in Alameda. They do private lessons and are great with beginning swimmers. http://www.aquatechswimschool.com/ My son took private lessons with them for a year and they gave him the same instructor every week so that he had consistency. They offer group lessons as well, but those are primarily for little kids. Your son would probably be more comfortable in a private lesson. good luck!
Scuba certification class for 14 year old
Feb 2009
I am interested in a beginning scuba/certification class for my 14 yo boy which is local. Ellen
I HIGHLY recommend Nautilus Aquatics in Concord (Willow Pass Road exit from highway 680.) Both of our sons were certified through them around age 14. The instructors are very good. They have an indoor pool on-site for classes and do certification dives in Monterey Bay. They also sponsor fun dives once a month--some from boat and some from shore--mostly in Monterey Bay. If you don't have a dive buddy they will find someone from the group for you to dive with. They also have a Scuba Rangers program (in the pool) for younger children. See their website: www.bayareadiving.com. Janet
Swim classes for 14-y-o who hasn't learned to swim
May 2008
At 14, my son still hasn't learned to swim. We've decided that this must change this summer. He is not into it, but we are insisting, so we need a place and instructor that will engage him, respect (and help him overcome) his anxiety, and make the experience a good one. This is a priority for us this summer, so anywhere in the east bay (though the closer to Berkeley the better), and any time or day will work for us. mom of landlubber
My son (age 10) was, until recently, also a non-swimmer. We also wanted private lessons for him, as he was older than most beginning swimmers and wouldn't have been comfortable in a group. We found Aquatech Swim School in Alameda (just through the Webster tube, only 20 minutes from our house in South Berkeley) and have been thoroughly delighted. My son started lessons in March and is now comfortable in the water and can swim at a very basic level. The teachers are kind and willing to let the kids progress at their own speed, but at the same time are very encouraging. I wholeheartedly recommend their program. Their website is www.aquatechswimschool.com and their phone number is 337-0200. Mom of New Swimmer
Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante does private lessons. They also do adult beginners. The teachers there are so nice and effective. There is no judgement, no nastiness. One thing, though, it is a small pool and the kids who take lessons tend to be younger than 14. But I think you would find the age issue pretty much anywhere. I really think Canyon has a very effective program and great teachers. It would be totally worth it to give them a call and ask what they think. I would suggest you call and ask for Julie... she is usually there between 4 and 7 pm, and she is really helpful, honest and knowledgeable about their program. They have a website www.canyonswimschool.com. Good luck. Mom of another late swimmer
Swim lessons for anxious 12-year old who barely swims
May 2006
My 12-year-old daughter can barely swim - she can make her way across a pool but that's about it. She has been afraid to swim for years and is now determined to learn - but still afraid. Group lessons haven't really taught her much in the past. Are there any private teachers in Berkeley or Oakland? Or if we have to go to the Other Side of the Tunnel, is there someone really good (worth the drive)? Or any other recommendations? Ann in Oakland
In the past I have seen private (and semi-private: two students per teacher) lessons offered at the Berkeley Downtown YMCA . It's great that she is interested in improving her skills here! Cheryl
My 15 year old son is working as as swim aid at a Berkeley pool this summer. He says that they do have individual lessons at the Willard Pool. David
Lessons for teen who fears water
Feb 2006
Hello, I have a 14 year old daughter who never got comfortable in the water and never took to swim lessons, and now refuses to consider lessons. Although she has some basic skills, she's not adept enough to actually swim across a pool. She is self conscious about going to local pools where she might run across kids she knows. I would like to find a pool somewhere that is not super crowded where she and I could review basic swim and water skills. Does anyone know of pools that are close but a little way outside of Berkeley, Albany, and El Cerrito where we could give a try? Ideally a place that would not be too crowded and she could practice and get more comfortable without being run into and constantly splashed. I hope for her to know the basics before graduating high school. Thanks!
My son took lessons at Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante last summer. You didn't say specifically that you were looking for lessons for your daughter, but I mention this pool because there were several non-swimming teens there getting lessons, as well as adults, and since almost everybody else milling around the place was relatively young, the chances of being spotted by friends would be small. Also, I was pleased to find that the drive there was only about 10 minutes from our Albany house. MF
I would suggest calling the city parks and rec and maybe Golden Bear at UC Berkeley - look for private lessons. A good swimming teacher can have your daughter swimming in no time with one on one lessons. At this point just being in the pool is not likely to be enough. I learned to swim in graduate school. I could barely swim the length of the pool, so I was chosen to be in the ''slow'' group. There were four of us that were taught by the instructor while the teaching assistants taught everyone else. I was swimming by the third class. A good instructor one on one or in a very small group makes a huge difference, helps you with your ''flaws'' and really makes you feel safer and less awkward. been There
Try Canyon Pool on San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante. It's been around for years; I took lessons there (decades ago) and my kids learned to swim there. It's very good with well-trained teachers, both younger and older. It's great that you're doing this for your daughter. Good luck, Norma
The Transpersonal Swimming Institute, www.conquerfear.com, is located in Albany. It was recently featured on the Today Show and in the Berkeley Voice. It is specifically for people with a fear of water. Melon Dash runs it and has years of experience teaching swimming. Susan
Lessons for 11-year-old beginner
Feb 2003
I am looking for a private swim instructor or private lessons for my 11 year son who is just learning to swim. Brad
I know Haufler Aquatics offers private swim lessons. Their phone number is 510/446-7946. You could also call Strawberry . They also have offered private lessons in the past.
- Lakeridge Athletic Club El Sobrante
- Piedmont Swim Club
Other suggestions:
For an older child who is afraid of the water I'd suggest private lessons. I dealt with this when my son was 7. He took private lessons in Lafayette at Harriet Plummer Aquatic School and was over the fear and having a good time by the second lesson. The instructors were excellent. It was expensive and a major schlep, but well worth it. We wasted a lot of money trying to do group lessons at Albany and El Cerrito and learning nothing but major fear, but he made astonishing progress in one week of private lessons. Now we're back to group lessons and he's happy in the water. swimming mom
As the mom of a big surfer I’d like to suggest that your son needs a specific kind of swim instruction- especially if they’re like 10 or older. They need ocean swimming, navigating waves, rip currents, duck diving, handling sudden swells (which can be insane around here), and other serious life saving training. The ocean bears NO relation to a swimming pool. If he’s a beginner there are year round surf lessons at Bolinas (often mellow surfing) or Capitola. The best summer surf lessons ever are Wahine Project in Monterey - they literally teach ocean safety. Of course any swim strength will help, but IMO your son needs to be a serious swim team level swimmer to be out at a surf break not with an instructor and camp. Ask any ER doc.