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Learn to Swim

The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs offers lessons taught by Red Cross certified instructors, year round. Registration is offered in September, December, March, and May.

How much does it cost?

City Residents - $10
Non-City Residents - $35

Online

Step 1.Create an account on our program registration portal.

If you already have an account, just sign in with your username and password. If you do not remember your password click 'Forgot password?' on the sign-in page.

Create an Account

Step 2.Select your swimming lessons.

Swimming lessons are listed as individual activities under 'Programs' on our registration portal. Click on the program to see details. Lessons are offered in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Winter 2024 Session Dates
30-minute classes, once a week for eight weeks, at Valley Pool available in the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and Saturday mornings, January 2 to March 2 for ages 18 mo+. The same format will be offered at Southwest Pool on Saturdays, January 6 to March 2 between 10:30 a.m. to Noon.

Winter 2024 Registration Dates
City residents: Thursday, December 21 at 4 p.m.
Non-residents: Friday, December 22 at 4 p.m.

VIEW CLASSES HERE (when available)

Youth Lesson Levels
Class level requirements are a combination of both minimum age and swimming ability. Pre-testing is available during any open swim.

Little Swimmer: 14 months to 3 years old; an adult is required in the water with the child.
Seahorse: 3 to 5 years of age; no swimming experience.
Goldfish: Minimum of 5 years old; no swimming experience.
Bullfrogs: Minimum 6 years old; able to float on front and back, kick 15 feet on front and back.
Blue Whales: Minimum 7 years old; able to swim 30 feet on front and back.
Starfish: Minimum 8 years old; able to swim 45 feet on front and back and perform the elementary backstroke.
Eels: Minimum of 9 years old; able to swim 25 yards front and back crawl; 15 yards elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Adult Lesson Levels

Beginner
Advanced

Step 3.Checkout and pay online.

Click the swimming program you'll be registering for and add it to your shopping cart and checkout. During the checkout, you will be asked to sign a waiver.