Drowning is a major cause of accidental death for young children and can occur in just centimeters of water. However, drowning is not the only risk; many of the different water activities families choose come with their own opportunities for disaster. That’s why water safety is so important. On average there are ten deaths per day from unintentional drownings in the United States. One in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.
Jacksonville Mom has listed all the swim lessons, swim instructors, and swim schools in and around Jacksonville. Summer is soon approaching, and living in the “Sunshine State” means that swimming is a year-round option for us. Having your child (or even yourself) as prepared as possible with swim lessons from trained instructors is key to ensuring water safety. Learn how to keep everyone in your family safe, these swim schools will get you prepared and make sure you have fun while doing so. This is our list of some trusted, tried and true swim instructors in our area.
Classes around Jacksonville fill up quickly so we recommend inquiring about swim lessons as early as spring, although lessons occur all year. Take a look at some of the swim schools for swimming lessons offered around Jacksonville!
More Swim Related Posts!
- Summer Health Tips: Swimmer’s Ear and Seasonal Allergies… Oh, My!
- ISR Swim Lessons Can Save Your Child’s Life
- Swimming is the Only Sport That Can Save Your Life
- Important S.W.I.M. Tips Before Swimming Season
- Levi’s Story: The Real Truth About Drowning
- Staying Safe and Having Fun Around Water This Summer
Jacksonville Mom’s Faves
A special thanks to all of the swim schools that sponsored this guide and for their programs they provide that keep our littles safe near water activities!
THE YMCA
Safety Around Water is composed of eight 30-minute sessions to reduce the risk of drowning by giving children confidence in and around water. The program is geared for unintended entries into the water and safety. Our goal is that if a child falls in, they can swim, float swim, tread, and exit the water. The levels build on skill sequences to enable a child to help save themselves or tread/float long enough for help to arrive.
Water Safety Tips:
1. Always Ask Permission
One of the most important things a parent can do is to instill a simple rule before a day at the pool, beach or lake: always ask permission before entering any body of water. From bathtubs, to oceans to a backyard pool, kids should understand the importance of asking permission before they enter the water.
2. Find Your Water Watcher
Whenever children are in or around water, make sure an adult is identified as the official “Water Watcher.” This person is tasked with keeping an active eye on and supervising everyone around or in a body of water, with no distractions – no phones, no books and no conversations.
3. Use the Buddy System
Never let your kids swim alone, despite how strong of a swimmer they seem or claim to be. The Buddy System exists for a reason. Before you leave for the pool or beach, designate specific swimming buddies for everyone in your group, even yourself. No one is too old for water safety!
4. Suit Up Accordingly
Swimsuits and sunscreen are not the only things kids should be sporting around the pool this summer. Coast Guard-approved life jackets should be used to keep kids safe, in or around any body of water. Do not rely on water toys, such as inflatable floats or pool noodles, as safety equipment.
5. Ban Breath-Holding Contests
Breath-holding contests are a common pool game but can also be dangerous. Do not encourage a child to hold their breath for a long time while swimming, as it can lead to complications and a possible emergency.
Choose from various locations across 4 counties: Clay/Baker, Duval, Nassau & St. Johns!
Swim Schools and Swim Lessons In & Around Jax
Aqua Kiddies ISR
Give your child the competence, confidence and skills of aquatic safety with Infant Swimming Resource’s Self-Rescue® program. The safest provider of survival swimming lessons for children 6 months to 6 years of age.
AQUAfin Swim School
AQUAfin Swim School is a professionally operated swim school devoted to teaching the BEST of swimming. Northeast Florida’s premier swim school is dedicated to sharing our knowledge and passion for swimming. We emphasize safety and fun while providing a WOW experience for our members. Passionate Teachers, Top-Notch Training, Fun Environment!
Beaches Aquatic Center
Beaches Aquatic Pool has been serving the Northeast Florida community since 1963. The 220,000 gallon pool is gas heated and maintained at 82 degrees for year round swimming comfort. The facility provides a center for recreational and competitive swimming. We offer swim lessons for children and aqua-fitness classes for adults.
British Swim School | LA Fitness – East Arlington
Water Acclimation: Students are introduced to the pool and become comfortable in the water. In this stage, swimmers develop safe habits in a gentle and supportive aquatic environment. Water Survival: Students are introduced to foundational safety and swimming skills. In this stage, swimmers become comfortable and confident in the water while learning to stay safe. Stroke Development: Students are introduced to the four competitive swimming strokes. In this stage, swimmers continue to learn safety skills while working on stroke techniques.
British Swim School LA Fitness – Orange Park
Water Acclimation: Students are introduced to the pool and become comfortable in the water. In this stage, swimmers develop safe habits in a gentle and supportive aquatic environment. Water Survival: Students are introduced to foundational safety and swimming skills. In this stage, swimmers become comfortable and confident in the water while learning to stay safe. Stroke Development: Students are introduced to the four competitive swimming strokes. In this stage, swimmers continue to learn safety skills while working on stroke techniques.
British Swim School | LA Fitness Jacksonville – Old Augustine
Water Acclimation: Students are introduced to the pool and become comfortable in the water. In this stage, swimmers develop safe habits in a gentle and supportive aquatic environment. Water Survival: Students are introduced to foundational safety and swimming skills. In this stage, swimmers become comfortable and confident in the water while learning to stay safe. Stroke Development: Students are introduced to the four competitive swimming strokes. In this stage, swimmers continue to learn safety skills while working on stroke techniques.
CHAMPION SWIM SCHOOL
Welcome to Champion Swim School, voted Best Swim School in Jacksonville in 2024, our goal is to champion every child to be the strongest swimmer they can be. Our professional instructors relentlessly encourage, teach and inspire students in the ongoing pursuit of water safety. This award-winning program combines the power of repetition with a proprietary float-belt system to accelerate the learning process for kids ages 6 months to 12 yrs. Our unique method produces results! Follow us on Facebook to see amazing videos of our independent swimmers!
Choose from 6 locations!
Coach Sally’s Swim and Learn
Coach Sally’s Swim & Learn is designed to teach swimming and water safety to ages 6 months to adult. The American Red Cross guidelines are the basis for teaching participants to swim independently on top of the water. Safety in and around the water is stressed and taught in a Christian environment. Group class sizes are limited to four participants to promote hands-on teaching and practice assistance during the lesson. Group classes are one-week 45 minute-session per day, May through mid-August.
Divers Supply Swim School
Divers Supply Swim School teaches the Swim Schools International standardized “Gold Script” curriculum. This proven Curriculum is appropriate for any person of any age and swimming ability. Our program focuses on a combination of water survival skills and swimming techniques. While keeping the lessons interesting and fun for the swimmer, safety is our number one priority.
First Coast YMCA
Renew and restart your wellness routine. Reconnect with the community and reengage your family at the Y. First Coast YMCA has always been a place where families can play and be active together, and that’s more important than ever.
Infant Swimming Resource
Unlike traditional swimming lessons, ISR’s survival swimming technique is a product of over 40 years of research and development, and is the safest approach to survival swimming in the world. Focused on your child’s stage of development and readiness, each one-on-one ISR lesson is customized to your child abilities in the water.
Jax Mobile Swim School
Infant-Adult private at home swimming lessons in your backyard or community pool. We also offer private lifeguards for your pool event.Our goal is not only to educate but to make learning fun. We strive to work with our students to overcome their fear of the water and to become safe and confident swimmers.
JaxParks Aquatics
With over 30 pools located throughout Jacksonville, there is bound to be one close to you. In addition to swim team, these pools offer affordable swim lessons and other programs at numerous pools around our city. The city is leading the Waterproof Jacksonville campaign, offering FREE swim lessons for families that otherwise could not afford! JaxParks offers swim programs at its outdoor pools each year in June and July. Classes are offered year-round at the Cecil Aquatics Center.
JCA Swim School
The JCA Aquatics Department is committed to the development of swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Swimming is a lifetime activity, focusing on the enjoyment, health benefits and competition. The JCA Aquatics Department offers private swim lessons for all ages, while offering group swim lessons for children. Youth and teens are eligible to swim in our YR swim team program or can participate in various specialty aquatic programs. Aqua aerobics, swim team, and swim lessons keep adults of all ages in the water. The JCA boasts both an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a steam room, sauna and whirlpool.
Kerry Wick Swimming
Kerry Wick has more than 25 years of competitive coaching experience. She has instructed swimmers with USA Swimming, Florida High School Swimming, and United States Masters Swimming. Kerry is the head coach and owner of Kerry Wick Swim School, a youth program specializing in stroke technique.
Lauren Upton ISR
Certified ISR instructor offering ISR swim lessons for children 6mo.- 6 years old in a private pool in Julington Creek.
Little Seals Swim School
At Little Seals Swim School, we offer one-on-one survival swim lessons to children as young as 8 months old. Babies/infants are taught to roll over and float on their backs. Once children are fully skilled, they have the opportunity to practice their skills fully clothed for “Silly Swim” lessons. Once lessons are completed, students are encouraged to maintain their skills by attending twice-monthly maintenance lessons (or semi-annual refresher lessons). Introduction to stroke lessons are, also, available for children that are developmentally ready (usually beginning between 4 and 6 years of age). Instructors are trained to present stroke lessons in a fun way that is relatable to young children.
Mobile Swim School
We deliver custom programs directly to you. Lesson packages are tailored to fit your needs and include free consultations, progress reports, and lots of support! Our coaches are certified and insured. Our toys are kid-approved. We are officially here to enhance your lesson experience. Let’s get started!
Mobile Swim Training, LLC
Mobile Swim Training, LLC offers private swim lessons for ages 3 and up in Jacksonville.
Planet Swim
Our Swim School program offers 3 types of classes: Group, Semi-private and Private classes. Although classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis swimmers are grouped based on age and skill level in the water, according to Planet Swim School Learning Curriculum. The overall goal of our program is to provide every student with the opportunity to safely learn how to swim.
Safety First Swim Lessons & Aquatics
We offer safety courses such as Community CPR/AED, Basic First Aid, Child & Babysitting Safety, Basic Life Support, Private Swim Lessons, Bloodborne Pathogens, Women’s Safety & Self-Defense, AED sales and Safety Talks & Demos. Individuals can register for lessons via our website and we can also be hired to do private custom courses with groups and businesses.
Swim Lesson Club USA LLC
We utilize endless swimming technology allowing us to easily correct technique and achieve excellent swimming conditioning for our developing swimmers. We offer videographer and stroke analysis that is very difficult to accomplish in a normal lap swimming pool. We partner with Swim Angelfish and utilize a special methodology ideal for children with water anxiety, sensory sensitivity, autism, or in need of adapted swimming instruction.
Swim Lessons with Suzi Teitelman
Swim Lesson Suzi offers private or small private group swim lessons for all ages along with Aqua Yoga and Aqua Aerobics. Suzi loves water and loves teaching others to love it too. She is an amazing teacher who finds so much joy and happiness from teaching someone to swim. Whether it is a new baby or someone who is older that has never learned to swim, Suzi can teach them. Suzi is certified as a Water Safety Instructor with the Red Cross, and is fully insured to teach in her fabulous new saltwater pool in Jacksonville Beach, FL or yours.
Swimming Lessons JAX – Nightingale Swim
We believe that everyone can swim! Creating a non intimidating atmosphere where each child can learn, thrive, and grow is our number one priority! Experienced, insured & certified local swimming instructor, Thomas Nightingale (Ponte Vedra Native & UF graduate), is a gentle and effective teacher that works well with all personality types as well as kids with special needs. Specializing in swimming students from 5-12yrs.
Swimming Safari Swim School, Inc.
Swimming Safari specializes in creating a lifelong love of swimming in a nurturing, family-friendly environment. Our 90-degree saltwater poolis so warm and soothing, parents often say it feels just like stepping into a bathtub! We teach students of all ages—from 4 months to adults— how to be safe, confident, and comfortable in the water. Family- and locally owned, Swimming Safari has proudly served Jacksonville for over 15 years. Chances are, if you ask around, a friend’s child has already learned to swim with us! Our proven, family-focused program emphasizes water survival skills, starting with babies learning to float on their backs and stay safe to competitive swim teams. Lessons are individually tailored to each swimmer and progress efficiently from beginner to advanced levels. It’s never too early—or too late—to enjoy the water & learn to swim!
SwimRise Aquatics
SwimRise Aquatics is a year-round USA Swimming and US Masters Swimming program in the Jacksonville area, swimming at the UNF Competitive Pool a 50 meter Olympic size pool. SwimRise provides athletes a well-rounded experience in developing and training all 4 strokes and caters to swimmers of all ages and abilities. SwimRise is dedicated to offer the area’s youth the opportunity to participate in the sport of swimming to build confidence in and out of the water. Our program emphasizes a whole-person approach to coaching.
