Berkeley Parents Network: Swim Lessons for Teens & Pre-Teens

Berkeley Parents Network

Swim Lessons for Teens & Pre-Teens

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Swim Lessons for Teens & Pre-Teens

Questions

Scuba certification class for 14 year old
Swim classes for 14-y-o who hasn't learned to swim
Swim lessons for anxious 12-year old who barely swims
Lessons for teen who fears water
Lessons for 11-year-old beginner

Related Pages

Scuba certification class for 14 year old

Feb 2009

I am interested in a beginning scuba/certification class for my 14 yo boy which is local. Ellen

I HIGHLY recommend Nautilus Aquatics in Concord (Willow Pass Road exit from highway 680.) Both of our sons were certified through them around age 14. The instructors are very good. They have an indoor pool on-site for classes and do certification dives in Monterey Bay. They also sponsor fun dives once a month--some from boat and some from shore--mostly in Monterey Bay. If you don't have a dive buddy they will find someone from the group for you to dive with. They also have a Scuba Rangers program (in the pool) for younger children. See their website: www.bayareadiving.com. Janet

Swim classes for 14-y-o who hasn't learned to swim

May 2008

At 14, my son still hasn't learned to swim. We've decided that this must change this summer. He is not into it, but we are insisting, so we need a place and instructor that will engage him, respect (and help him overcome) his anxiety, and make the experience a good one. This is a priority for us this summer, so anywhere in the east bay (though the closer to Berkeley the better), and any time or day will work for us. mom of landlubber

My son (age 10) was, until recently, also a non-swimmer. We also wanted private lessons for him, as he was older than most beginning swimmers and wouldn't have been comfortable in a group. We found Aquatech Swim School in Alameda (just through the Webster tube, only 20 minutes from our house in South Berkeley) and have been thoroughly delighted. My son started lessons in March and is now comfortable in the water and can swim at a very basic level. The teachers are kind and willing to let the kids progress at their own speed, but at the same time are very encouraging. I wholeheartedly recommend their program. Their website is www.aquatechswimschool.com and their phone number is 337-0200. Mom of New Swimmer

Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante does private lessons. They also do adult beginners. The teachers there are so nice and effective. There is no judgement, no nastiness. One thing, though, it is a small pool and the kids who take lessons tend to be younger than 14. But I think you would find the age issue pretty much anywhere. I really think Canyon has a very effective program and great teachers. It would be totally worth it to give them a call and ask what they think. I would suggest you call and ask for Julie... she is usually there between 4 and 7 pm, and she is really helpful, honest and knowledgeable about their program. They have a website www.canyonswimschool.com. Good luck. Mom of another late swimmer

Swim lessons for anxious 12-year old who barely swims

May 2006

My 12-year-old daughter can barely swim - she can make her way across a pool but that's about it. She has been afraid to swim for years and is now determined to learn - but still afraid. Group lessons haven't really taught her much in the past. Are there any private teachers in Berkeley or Oakland? Or if we have to go to the Other Side of the Tunnel, is there someone really good (worth the drive)? Or any other recommendations? Ann in Oakland

In the past I have seen private (and semi-private: two students per teacher) lessons offered at the Berkeley Downtown YMCA. It's great that she is interested in improving her skills here! Cheryl

My 15 year old son is working as as swim aid at a Berkeley pool this summer. He says that they do have individual lessons at the Willard Pool. David

Lessons for teen who fears water

Feb 2006

Hello, I have a 14 year old daughter who never got comfortable in the water and never took to swim lessons, and now refuses to consider lessons. Although she has some basic skills, she's not adept enough to actually swim across a pool. She is self conscious about going to local pools where she might run across kids she knows. I would like to find a pool somewhere that is not super crowded where she and I could review basic swim and water skills. Does anyone know of pools that are close but a little way outside of Berkeley, Albany, and El Cerrito where we could give a try? Ideally a place that would not be too crowded and she could practice and get more comfortable without being run into and constantly splashed. I hope for her to know the basics before graduating high school. Thanks!

My son took lessons at Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante last summer. You didn't say specifically that you were looking for lessons for your daughter, but I mention this pool because there were several non-swimming teens there getting lessons, as well as adults, and since almost everybody else milling around the place was relatively young, the chances of being spotted by friends would be small. Also, I was pleased to find that the drive there was only about 10 minutes from our Albany house. MF

I would suggest calling the city parks and rec and maybe Golden Bear at UC Berkeley - look for private lessons. A good swimming teacher can have your daughter swimming in no time with one on one lessons. At this point just being in the pool is not likely to be enough. I learned to swim in graduate school. I could barely swim the length of the pool, so I was chosen to be in the ''slow'' group. There were four of us that were taught by the instructor while the teaching assistants taught everyone else. I was swimming by the third class. A good instructor one on one or in a very small group makes a huge difference, helps you with your ''flaws'' and really makes you feel safer and less awkward. been There

Try Canyon Pool on San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante. It's been around for years; I took lessons there (decades ago) and my kids learned to swim there. It's very good with well-trained teachers, both younger and older. It's great that you're doing this for your daughter. Good luck, Norma

The Transpersonal Swimming Institute, www.conquerfear.com, is located in Albany. It was recently featured on the Today Show and in the Berkeley Voice. It is specifically for people with a fear of water. Melon Dash runs it and has years of experience teaching swimming. Susan

Lessons for 11-year-old beginner

Feb 2003

I am looking for a private swim instructor or private lessons for my 11 year son who is just learning to swim. Brad

I know Haufler Aquatics offers private swim lessons. Their phone number is 510/446-7946. You could also call Strawberry. They also have offered private lessons in the past.

Lakeridge Athletic Club El Sobrante

Piedmont Swim Club

Other suggestions:

For an older child who is afraid of the water I'd suggest private lessons. I dealt with this when my son was 7. He took private lessons in Lafayette at Harriet Plummer Aquatic School and was over the fear and having a good time by the second lesson. The instructors were excellent. It was expensive and a major schlep, but well worth it. We wasted a lot of money trying to do group lessons at Albany and El Cerrito and learning nothing but major fear, but he made astonishing progress in one week of private lessons. Now we're back to group lessons and he's happy in the water. swimming mom

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