Swim lessons are an important life skill for kids, especially when you live near the beaches of San Luis Obispo. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons as early as age 1. In addition to consistent supervision, swim lessons are an important layer of protection against drowning. Here are the best pools for swim lessons for toddlers and kids in the San Luis Obispo area.
SLO Swim Center Sinsheimer Pool
The SLO Swim Center is a popular program for outdoor swim lessons. The Olympic-sized main pool is 25 yards long and between 78 and 82 degrees. The tot pool is 1 to 4 feet deep and between 88 and 92 degrees.
- Where: 902 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo
- Learn more: SLO Swim Center website
Avila Bay Athletic Club
Avila Bay Club has two swimming pools: a 12.5-yard family pool and a 25-yard lap pool.
Beginner lessons are held in the family pool, which is warm at 87 degrees. The family pool can sometimes get crowded since lessons are available to both members and non-members. Advanced swimmers take lessons in the lap pool, which averages 81 degrees.
- Where: 6699 Bay Laurel Place, Avila Beach
- Learn more: Avila Bay Club website
Cal Poly Youth Swim Lessons
Members of the Cal Poly community (faculty, staff, students, alumni, emeritus, household, and affiliates) can take lessons at the Recreation Center Leisure Pool. Cal Poly offers a variety of swim lessons, including baby-and-parent, toddler-and-parent, private, and group classes.
- Where: 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo
- Learn more: Cal Poly Aquatics website
Five Cities Swim School
This indoor pool was intentionally designed for children’s swim lessons. It is 2.5 to 5 feet deep and has a cozy temperature of 92 degrees. This is a great option for toddlers and kids who get sunburned easily and don’t like wearing sunscreen. They also offer low-sensory private lessons for autistic children.
- Where: 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande
- Learn more: 5 Cities Swim School website
Morro Bay Aquatics
Morro Bay Aquatics offers private and semi-private lessons on Sundays and summer camps. The recently built community pool, located at Morro Bay High School, is open to the public during designated hours.
- Where: 235 Atascadero Road, Morro Bay
- Learn more: Morro Bay Aquatics website
Summer Swim Programs in San Luis Obispo
During the summer, many Central Coast high schools and colleges offer affordable swim lesson packages at their pools.
Cuesta College Gnarly Gnarwals Swim School
The Cuesta College Aquatics Center has an Olympic-sized pool with a depth of 7 to 16 feet, a pair of one- and three-meter diving boards, and a large heated therapy pool. They offer twice-a-week lessons for swimmers of all levels and diving lessons for kids ages 7 and up.
- Where: Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
- Learn more: Cuesta College website
Lucia Mar Summer Swim Program
The Arroyo Grande and Nipomo high schools offer swimming lessons for children of all levels, five days a week. Children can practice and remember new skills since the daily, consecutive lessons are 45 minutes long.
- Where: Arroyo Grande High School and Nipomo High School
- Learn more: Lucia Mar Unified School District website
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