JCCSF Swim School
The JCCSF Swim School helps kids master the skills and strokes they’ll need to progress to new levels of confidence, comfort and ability in the water.
- Youth & Family
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The JCCSF Swim School is open to kids of all abilities. From first time in the pool to proficient swimmer, kids can progress through the levels of our program to reach their swimming goals. We offer group classes as well as private and semi-private lessons where swimmers will learn the different strokes and techniques needed to grow into confident swimmers.
GALLANTER FAMILY AQUATICS CENTER
Thanks to a generous grant from Sandy and Linda Gallanter, we have just completed a much-needed renovations project to improve the overall experience for all our swimmers. That includes a new dehumidifying system along with several other improvements that will make your experience more enjoyable, including the ventilation and air quality.
WHEN CAN I SWIM?
UPCOMING CLOSURE
As we head into spring and the Passover holiday in April, we want to make sure you’re aware of some upcoming closures. During this time, we’ll be performing our regular pool maintenance so it’s at its best for you and your family to enjoy.
Wednesday, April 5
The JCCSF Fitness Center is open 5:30 am – 6:00 pm.
The Gallanter Family Aquatics Center is closed all day.
Thursday, April 6
The JCCSF and Gallanter Family Aquatics Center are closed all day for Passover.
We will reopen on Friday, April 7 for normal business hours.
Aquatics Center Hours
Monday – Friday 5:30 am – 8:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday 7:00 am – 4:45 pm
Recreation & Family Swim Hours (Rec Pool)
Monday – Thursday: 5:30 am – Noon, 3:00 – 8:45 pm
Friday: 5:30 – 9:00 am, 3:00 – 8:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am – 4:45 pm
Pool capacity is 50 swimmers. Space limited from 5:30 pm – 7:15 pm.
Adult Swim
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: noon – 1:00 pm
The Lap Pool is available for lap swimming during Aquatics Center hours. Peak time is 4:00 – 7:00 pm every day.
View our full Lap Pool and Rec Pool schedule breakdown by day.
REGISTRATION
Registration for group swim lessons is now open!
Choose your desired class in the Levels & Descriptions section below to get started.
Registration Details:
- Swim School is currently open with limited availability across all swim levels and will gradually increase until we reach our maximum enrollment. This is to accommodate the hiring and training of all new Aquatics instructors and lifeguards as well as monitor class demand. If you’re waitlisted for your preferred class time slot, we’ll notify you when more space becomes available.
- Non-refundable monthly tuition due upon registration. Visit our financial assistance page to learn about available payment aid options.
- Pre-registration tip: Log in to your account and verify that all your family’s information, especially the date of birth for both you and your child, is accurate and up to date. Trouble logging in? Check out our FAQs here.
View our complete Swim School policies, processes and practices.
If you have questions about this process not answered above, you can reach out to our support team at support@jccsf.org.
Levels & Descriptions
The JCCSF Swim School program helps kids master the skills and strokes they’ll need to progress to new levels of comfort and ability in the water.
- Water Babies Ages 6 – 36 months, with parent or caregiver in water
Babies and parents become comfortable in and under the water through games, songs and toys. Babies and parents learn safety skills, floating on their back independently and propel themselves through the water with eyes down for a short distance. - Frogs Ages 3 – 5 years, nervous swimmers or the very beginner
Frogs focus on self submersion and floating on their stomach and backs unassisted. Children learn to feel comfortable and safe in the water through games and play. Streamlining (correct body position and form) is introduced.
- Gobies Ages 3 – 5 years, comfortable underwater and floating unassisted on their stomach and back
Gobies learn the basics of streamlining, backstroke kicks and beginning stages of Freestyle. The swimmers also practice underwater swimming. - Tiger Barbs Ages 3 – 5 years, children can swim freestyle and backstroke kick over short distances, with correct form
Tiger Barbs refine their Freestyle skills by learning side breathing (to preferred side) and complete Backstroke. Body positioning and concentration are key as students begin to put it all together. Breaststroke and Butterfly are introduced as well. - Puffers (equivalent to Frogs) Ages 6 – 12 years, nervous swimmers or the very beginner
Puffers focus on self submersion and floating on their stomach and backs unassisted. Children learn to feel comfortable and safe in the water through games and play. Streamlining (correct body position and form) is introduced. - Stingrays (equivalent to Gobies) Ages 6 – 12 years, comfortable underwater and floating unassisted on their stomach and back
Stingrays learn the basics of streamlining, backstroke kicks and beginning stages of Freestyle. The swimmers also practice underwater swimming. - Seals (equivalent to Tiger Barbs) Ages 6 – 12 years, children can swim freestyle and backstroke kick over short distances, with correct form
Seals refine their Freestyle skills by learning side breathing (to preferred side) and complete Backstroke. Body positioning and concentration are key as students begin to put it all together. Breaststroke and Butterfly are introduced as well. - Dolphins Ages 6 – 12 years, children can swim complete backstroke and freestyle (with breathing to one side), all with correct body positioning
Dolphins now learn freestyle breathing to the non-preferred side while continuing to refine their Freestyle and Backstroke skills. Breaststroke and Butterfly are developed further with an emphasis on arm movement. Flip Turns are introduced. - Sharks Ages 6 – 12 years, children are advanced in swimming all four competitive strokes
Our most advanced level, geared towards preparing children for our Developmental Swim Team. Sharks focus on Breaststroke and Butterfly timing and breathing, bilateral side breathing for Freestyle, learn flip turns as they practice pushing off the wall in a back streamline and executing sit-down dives. - Pre-Swim Team: Please contact us at support@jccsf.org.
- Teen / Adult Beginner
Students in this class will develop confidence in the water by learning basic floating and freestyle skills. No swimming experience is needed for this class. - Teen / Adult Advanced
Prospective students should be comfortable swimming independently underwater. Students in this class will focus on technical skills for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
What Class Should My Child Take?
6 – 36 Months
Water Babies
Students in this class must have a parent or guardian in the class with them. Swim diapers are required and must be worn under the child’s swimsuit. There are no prerequisites to join this class. Students will learn to become confident in and under the water.
Ages 3 – 5
My child is new to swimming or is not yet swimming independently:
Frogs
Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
My child is comfortable in the water:
Frogs
Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
Gobies
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Frogs class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
My child is comfortable swimming independently:
Gobies
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Frogs class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
Tiger Barbs
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim freestyle (without breathing) for 7 – 10 feet. Prospective students must also able to streamline kick on their back. Graduation from Gobies confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Relaxed head-down freestyle swim without breathing
- Correct streamline form
- Correct backstroke kicks with arms in streamline
Ages 6 – 12
My child is new to swimming or is not yet swimming independently:
Puffers (equivalent to Frogs)
There are no prerequisites to register for this class. Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
My child is comfortable in the water:
Puffers (equivalent to Frogs)
There are no prerequisites to register for this class. Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
Stingrays (equivalent to Gobies)
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Puffers class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
My child is comfortable swimming independently:
Stingrays (equivalent to Gobies)
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Puffers class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
Seals (equivalent to Tiger Barbs)
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim freestyle (without breathing) for 7 – 10 feet. Prospective students must also able to streamline kick on their back. Graduation from Stingrays confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Relaxed head-down freestyle swim without breathing
- Correct streamline form
- Correct backstroke kicks with arms in streamline
My child would like to prepare for competitive swimming:
Dolphins
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim freestyle (with side breathing to one side) and backstroke. Prospective students must also be able to demonstrate correct breaststroke and butterfly kicks. Graduation from Tiger Barbs or Seals confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Freestyle with side breathing on one side
- Correct backstroke with arms and kicks
- Correct breaststroke kicks
- Correct butterfly kicks
Sharks
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Prospective students must also be able to do a proper sit-down dive and underwater somersault. Graduation from Dolphins class confirms eligibility for this level. Please contact the Aquatics Office to register for this class at 415.292.1268 or swimlessons@jccsf.org.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Freestyle with side breathing on both sides
- Correct backstroke with arms and kicks
- Correct breaststroke form with arms and kicks
- Correct butterfly form with arms and kicks
- Correct sit-down dive
- Front somersault underwater
Ages 13+
Teen / Adult Beginner
Students in this class will develop confidence in the water by learning basic floating and freestyle skills. No swimming experience is needed for this class.
Teen / Adult Advanced
Prospective students should be comfortable swimming independently underwater. Students in this class will focus on technical skills for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
Gallanter Family Aquatics Center Hours
UPCOMING CLOSURE
As we head into spring and the Passover holiday in April, we want to make sure you’re aware of some upcoming closures. During this time, we’ll be performing our regular pool maintenance so it’s at its best for you and your family to enjoy.
Wednesday, April 5
The JCCSF Fitness Center is open 5:30 am – 6:00 pm.
The Gallanter Family Aquatics Center is closed all day.
Thursday, April 6
The JCCSF and Gallanter Family Aquatics Center are closed all day for Passover.
We will reopen on Friday, April 7 for normal business hours.
REGULAR HOURS
Recreation & Family Swim Hours (Rec Pool)
Monday – Thursday: 5:30 am – Noon, 3:00 – 8:45 pm
Friday: 5:30 – 9:00 am, 3:00 – 8:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am – 4:45 pm
Pool capacity is 50 swimmers. Space limited from 5:30 pm – 7:15 pm.
Adult Swim
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: noon – 1:00 pm
The Lap Pool is available for lap swimming during Aquatics Center hours. Peak time is 4:00 – 7:00 pm every day.
View our full Lap Pool and Rec Pool schedule breakdown by day.
Related
PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS
Does your swimmer need a little extra support to gain confidence in the water or master a specific skill? Our one-on-one private swim lessons are 30 minutes each and are held on a weekly basis on Friday afternoons.
Private Swim Lesson rates are listed below.
View our Private Swim Lessons policies & procedures.
Interested in registering for private swim classes? Contact us at support@jccsf.org.
Monthly Rates
Group Lessons
Pre-Swim Team
Private Lessons
Pricing effective October 1, 2022. Visit our financial assistance page to learn about available payment aid options.
Just started infant swim classes here in the newly remodeled aquatics center and it's been wonderful so far! Amazing, attentive staff, very covid cautious precautions and a wonderful new facility. In our class of 5 infants, there were 3 instructors (plus parents) which felt like a great ratio. Easy underground parking. Classes filled quickly and they're well worth it!
Lydia B.
Parent
FAQS
What Covid-19 health and safety protocols are in effect?
Read the full Youth Program Covid-19 FAQs
- All JCCSF staff are fully vaccinated.
- Per the SFDPH, any person 12 or over is required to provide proof of vaccination when entering the JCCSF Fitness Center, which includes the Gallanter Family Aquatics Center.
- Parents and caregivers are permitted to wait in the Swim School bleacher area, the lower lobby or on available benches and chairs in the Aquatics Center during lessons.
- Class sizes vary according to level. Frogs and Puffers classes have a maximum of 4 students. Water Babies, Gobies, Stingrays, Tiger Barbs and Seals have a maximum of 5 students. Dolphins and Sharks have a maximum of 6 students.
- A new dehumidifying system with MERV-13 filters will be in place that changes out the air six times per hour, two more than the required minimum for indoor pools.
- Reduced class offerings will result in less congestion in the locker room area.
Who qualifies for member pricing versus public pricing?
What dates and times will be available?
Will there be waitlists?
Will the Swim Team be offered?
What if my child’s swimming progress has regressed since they last took lessons?
What if I’m having trouble registering?
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Get in Touch
Contact Us
Have a question about Swim School? Reach out to our team — we’d love to hear from you!