Swim lesson finder

Learning to swim is for everyone

Swim lessons are one of the layers of protection against drowning, for children and adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics says lessons can begin for many children at age 1, depending on readiness, and that adults who never learned can take lessons too (opens in a new tab). Many adults haven't: in a 2023 survey, the CDC (opens in a new tab) found that about 40 million U.S. adults (15.4%) don't know how to swim, and more than half (54.7%) have never taken a lesson. Families also learn together: the USA Swimming Foundation says that if a parent can't swim, there is only a 19% chance a child in the household will learn (opens in a new tab).

Where to look

This tool doesn't keep its own list of programs. It sends you to the official finders run by the organizations that train instructors, so the listings are always theirs and always current:

• YMCA Find Your Y. Find a Y with a pool near your ZIP code, then ask the branch about lessons, costs and the Y's Safety Around Water program.
• American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim providers. A map of pools that teach Red Cross swim lessons, for ages 6 months to adult. The Red Cross class search also lists free online courses for parents and caregivers.
• USA Swimming Find a Team & Lessons. Youth learn-to-swim programs, including providers in the Swim Lesson Provider Network.
• U.S. Masters Swimming. Certified Adult Learn-to-Swim instructors, for adults who never learned or are afraid of the water.
• NYC Parks. In New York City, free Learn to Swim classes for tots, children, adults and seniors are given out by lottery each fall, winter and spring, and summer classes run at free outdoor pools. Indoor classes need a recreation center membership, which is free for anyone 24 and under (opens in a new tab).

Many YMCAs, parks and recreation departments, schools and community groups offer free or low-cost lessons, especially in summer, the AAP notes (opens in a new tab). Your pediatrician, school office or recreation center may know local programs too.

How this tool works

Type a ZIP code (best) or a city. The tool builds links to each official finder. Where a finder can take a location in its web address, the link opens results near you; where it can't, the tool tells you what to type when it opens. NYC ZIP codes also get NYC Parks' free classes for your borough, matched using the U.S. Census Bureau's ZIP code areas. We don't send your ZIP code anywhere: it only becomes part of the link your browser opens when you click.

Questions to ask before you sign up

The AAP and USA Swimming suggest asking about instructor certification, lifeguards, class size and whether you can watch a class first. USA Swimming's best practice for young or beginner swimmers without a caregiver in the water is no more than 4 students per instructor (opens in a new tab), and never more than 6. The full list is below the finder, ready to print.

Read more in how to find swim lessons near you, free swim lessons in NYC and how to choose a swim lesson program.

What you can do today

1. Enter your ZIP code and open two or three of the finders.
2. Call one program and ask the questions below.
3. Not sure your child is ready? Check with the swim readiness tool.