Discover the life skill of learning to swim with the City of Davis swim lesson program! Classes are affordable and provide instruction to all levels of swimmers at various times. Our swim lesson program is dedicated to helping children learn to swim through enjoyment of the water in a safe and fun filled environment. Instruction is reinforced through progression of skills to move from one level to the next. All classes are taught by trained City of Davis instructors.

New this year: Safety Day! The second Tuesday of each two-week session will have a 5-10 minute safety discussion where participants learn all about how to be safe in and around the water as well as in their daily life.

See a description of our lesson levels below:

POLLYWOG 2 to 5 years

This is an introduction to water class. No water skills are required to enroll but participants should feel comfortable in the water with an instructor. Participants will learn to enjoy the water through fun and games, getting in/out of the pool safely, blowing bubbles, putting their face in the water, streamlining, floating, and kicking... all with instructor assistance!

TADPOLE 3 to 5 years

Participants should be comfortable in the water and have experience getting their face wet, floating and streamlining. Participants will learn to swim underwater two yards, practice front and back crawl arms, and flutter kick with a kickboard five yards with assistance.

OTTER 3 to 5 years

Swimmers must have passed Tadpole or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will be working on correct stroke technique as they swim five yards unassisted freestyle. They will be learning to swim backstroke five yards, elementary backstroke five yards, and flutter kick on front and back five yards.

TURTLE 3 to 5 years

Swimmers must have passed Otter or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will learn to tread water, flutter kick with a board on their front and back and swim unassisted for 10 yards. Participants will be introduced to rotary breathing and the sitting dive.

STARFISH/MINNOW 6 to 14 years

No water skills required. Participants will learn to use a kickboard, do front and back floats, swim underwater five yards, streamline and swim on front and backs for 10 yards. Participants will also learn to tread water and about pool safety.

GUPPY/MANTA RAY 6 to 14 years

Swimmers must have passed Starfish/Minnow or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will learn to tread water for 30 seconds, swim freestyle and backstroke for 15 yards, swim underwater, float on front and back, and flutter kick with a kickboard 25 yards. Participants will also be introduced to the kneeling dive and safety skills.

STINGRAY/MARLIN 6 to 14 years

Swimmers must have passed Guppy/Manta Ray or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will learn to tread water for one minute and swim freestyle with rotary breathing for 25 yards. They will be working on endurance and kicking 50 yards, standing dive, and beginning breaststroke.

SWORDFISH 6 to 14 years

Swimmers must have passed Stingray/Marlin or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will increase their endurance as they continue to develop their front and back crawl. They will be introduced to sidestroke in addition to working on endurance by flutter kicking on front and back with a board. They will be swimming 50 yards freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke and 25 yards breaststroke without stopping. Participants will begin learning butterfly and practicing stride dives and treading water.

DOLPHIN 6 to 14 years

Swimmers must have passed Swordfish or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will learn the butterfly and sidestroke. They will be swimming 100 yards freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke, and breaststroke without stopping. They will be introduced to the 100 IM and swimming 25 yards sidestroke.

SHARK/KILLER WHALE 6 to 14 years

Swimmers must have passed Dolphin or have equal skill to enroll. Participants will continue to refine their skills with an emphasis placed on refining butterfly, learning flip turns and extending their endurance with a continuous 500-yard swim. They will be swimming 200 yards freestyle, backstroke, elementary backstroke and breaststroke without stopping, and treading water for five minutes.

PRIVATE LESSONS 3 years and up

One-on-one instruction. Great for introducing the water to shy or beginning swimmers or improve stroke work, technique, or other areas as requested for the moderate or advanced swimmers.

Helpful Hints for Swim Lessons:
1. After nine months of not swimming, we all need a little refresher. It is recommended that children repeat the last level they completed the previous summer.

2. Everyone learns at a different rate. Most children remain in the same level for two or more sessions.

3. If you are unsure of which level your child is in, refer to the swim lesson level descriptions and choose the level you know they can do the skills in. We also offer free swim lesson evaluations during any of our recreational swimming times. 

4. Some classes can fill up quickly. Please have a second and third choice ready when registering to ensure your best chance at getting the class you want.

5. Remember that both Arroyo and Manor pools offer swim lessons, so if a class is full at one pool, check the other facility.

6. Please make sure your child has a swim suit, towel and plenty of sun block! For children in diapers, swim diapers must be worn in the pool to help protect against waterborne illnesses. Goggles and swim caps can be worn during classes (no nose plugs or full face masks).

7. Be on time or early to class!

8. Classes will be cancelled when severe weather conditions (lightning, hail, etc) are in the area. Staff will follow local weather reports for the latest conditions. Classes will be conducted rain or shine. In the event of severe weather and classes are cancelled you will be given a credit for the missed class unless the Aquatics Staff can provide a make-up date.                                                                                        

9. If you miss the last day of lessons, any unclaimed report cards can be picked-up on site at the pool’s cashier office.