Indoor swimming lessons are a great way to ensure kids can be safe and have year-round fun at Long Island’s beaches and indoor pools. From private swim classes to community pools, there are plenty of destinations for indoor lessons. The great thing about these indoor pools is when summer is gone, kids can continue lessons, adding to their skills.
There are lessons facilities for those as young as 6 months, continuing through lifeguard training. In addition, Long Island has well-maintained outdoor pools for long days of family fun, including these on the East End. For more outdoor adventures, see our guides to Long Island's best parks and playgrounds and LI's best amusement and water parks.
Indoor Swimming Lessons for Kids Across Long Island
Goldfish Swim School's Jump Start program gets kids water ready in a hurry.
Goldfish Swim Schools — Centereach, Farmingdale, Garden City
This facility offers swim programs for children from 4 months to 12 years of age. Offerings include Jump Start clinics—daily classes designed to get kids water-ready in a short time. On Friday night Family Swim Nights, the whole family can participate. Advanced swimmers can join the Swim Force competitive team.
Saf-T-Swim — 10 locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties
This popular franchise offers baby-and-me classes starting at 2 months of age, and small-group classes are available for kids ages 4 years and older. Individual lessons are available. Saf-T-Swim boasts pools heated to 88 degrees, and classes are available year-round. Check its website for locations and special pricing and coupons.
YMCA of Long Island — 7 locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties
All seven YMCA locations offer swim lessons for kids of all abilities, following the instruction template of the national organization. The YMCA is the leading provider of swim instruction in the nation. Instruction is available privately or in group sessions for those between the ages of 6 months and 13 years. Special-needs children are also accommodated. YMCA members receive discounted lessons fees. The Y's Nassau County location is in Glen Cove. Its locations are in Bay Shore (two), East Hampton, Holbrook, Huntington, and Patchogue.
Indoor Swimming Lessons for Kids in Nassau County
Hofstra University — Hempstead
Hofstra University’s Saturday Classes for Young People program offers swim lessons year-round for kids from beginner to advanced levels. For beginners, classes are held in groups of two or three children per instructor, while more advanced swimmers can start lifeguard training or join the Hofstra Junior Swim Club. Children must be at least 4 years old at the start of the session. There is a $25 early-registration discount if you sign up at least one week prior to the start of classes.
Long Island Swim School — Garden City, Syosset
As the swim school branch of the elite Long Island Aquatic Club, this school's goal is to create strong, safe, and confident swimmers for life. Kids ages 2-10 learn safety skills and swimming strokes in small classes of 3-5 children per instructor. Private lessons are available. Spring and summer sessions are available.
Nassau County Aquatic Center — East Meadow
The aquatic center in Eisenhower Park offers American Red Cross-certified swim lessons year-round for children ages 6 months through teens. Lessons are offered only to Nassau County residents with a Leisure Pass.
Sid Jacobson JCC — East Hills
Take group or private swim lessons at the recently renovated Kroll Family Aquatics Center at the Sid Jacobson JCC. There's a six-lane lap pool available, as well as a heated kiddie pool. Parent-child lessons are open to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, starting at 6 months old and up. Those ages 5 and up can go solo in class, and the very best swimmers can try out for the competitive swim team here, too! Non-members are welcome to register for swim classes.
Swim and Scuba — Rockville Centre
Swim and Scuba offers baby-and-me, private, semi-private and small-group lessons for children 6 months and older. In addition, advanced students can take swim-team preparation classes to work on stroke efficiency and turns. Membership allows the family to swim year-round.
Indoor Swimming Lessons for Kids in Suffolk County
Kids can be introduced to the water at the School of Fish and Scuba in Rocky Point.
School of Fish Swim and Scuba — Rocky Point
This school teaches swim classes to all ages. Children must be potty-trained (swim diapers are not permitted). All instructors are Red Cross water-safety-instructor certified, and swimming lessons are sold in packages of six half-hour private lessons. There are never more than four students and four teachers in the water for instruction.
Other Options for Swimming Lessons on Long Island
UrSwim — Huntington
UrSwim is a unique program based in Huntington. If you have a pool or access to a private pool you can schedule an instructor to come to you. Owner Marina Montes has developed a program for personal swim coaches to provide individual or group lessons from babies to adults. There are also options such as Rent-a-Lifeguard for private functions and American Red Cross training.
A version of this article was originally published in September 2014.
Photos courtesy of the schools
