View all swim lessons with available space
Winter swim lessons are offered January 5 through March 15. Swim lessons are 30 minutes long, once or twice a week, for a 5 or 10-week session. Lessons are limited and vary by pool. Not all levels are offered at all times. Private and semi-private lessons are not available.
Find the appropriate swim lesson level based on the participant’s age and swimming skills. Swim lessons are progressive, beginning at the preschool level (ages 3-5). The instructor will tell you which lesson to sign up for next. If the participant has not had swimming lessons for more than three months, they should repeat the last level they took as a refresher.
Due to the high demand, participants may register for one swim lesson per person per session. If you can't get into a class, we highly recommend that you add yourself to the waitlist. You will be contacted if a waitlist opening becomes available.
Read more information about PP&R Swimming Pools, including pool rules and policies.
East and Southeast Portland
This city region includes East Portland and Mt. Scott Indoor Pool. Mt. Scott Indoor Pool will open later this fall and will only offer the second session of swim lessons.
Drop-in swimming schedules are published on each pool’s webpage, linked above.
Child with Adult (ages 6 months–2 years)
An adult must participate with the child.
Water adjustment and basic skills development are emphasized as the instructor guides parents and children through this level.
| Class | Ages | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | 6–18 months | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Starfish | 18 months–2 | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
Preschool (ages 3–5 years)
| Class | Description | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | For the non-swimmer. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Pre-Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Pre-Otter | Must be comfortable in the water and able to do a front glide with kick for 5 feet and unassisted back floats. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Pre-Seal | Must be able to do back glides with kicking for 5 feet, front crawl with no side breathing for 10 feet, and five side breathing breaths with arms on wall. | East Portland Pool | Check availability |
Youth (ages 6–14 years)
| Class | Description | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Otter | Must be comfortable in the water and able to do a front glide with kick for 10 feet and unassisted back floats. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Seal | Must be able to do back glides with kicking for 10 feet, front crawl with no side breathing for 15 feet, and five side breathing breaths with arms on the wall. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Polar Bear | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim front crawl with arms, side breathing for 30 feet, and backstroke with arms for 30 feet. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Sea Lion | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim front crawl with side breathing for 50 feet and backstroke for 50 feet. | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Blue Makos | A pre-competitive swim league for ages 6–17. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool, front crawl stroke, and backstroke (equal to passing Sea Lion level). | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
Teen and Adult (ages 11 and older)
| Class | Ages | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Beginner | 11–17 | East Portland Pool | Check availability |
| Adult | 14 and older | East Portland Pool | Check availability |
North and Northeast Portland
This city region includes Matt Dishman Indoor Pool.
Drop-in swimming schedules are published on the pool’s webpage, linked above.
Child with Adult (ages 6 months–2 years)
An adult must participate with the child.
Water adjustment and basic skills development are emphasized as the instructor guides parents and children through this level.
| Class | Ages | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | 6–18 months | Check availability |
| Starfish | 18 months–2 | Check availability |
Preschool (ages 3–5 years)
| Class | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | For the non-swimmer. | Check availability |
| Pre-Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | Check availability |
| Pre-Otter | Must be comfortable in the water and able to do a front glide with kick for 5 feet and unassisted back floats. | Check availability |
Youth (ages 6–14 years)
| Class | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | Check availability |
| Otter | Must be comfortable in the water and able to do a front glide with kick for 10 feet and unassisted back floats. | Check availability |
| Seal | Must be able to do back glides with kicking for 10 feet, front crawl with no side breathing for 15 feet, and five side breathing breaths with arms on the wall. | Check availability |
| Polar Bear | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim front crawl with arms, side breathing for 30 feet, and backstroke with arms for 30 feet. | Check availability |
| Blue Makos | A pre-competitive swim league for ages 6–17. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool, front crawl stroke, and backstroke (equal to passing Sea Lion level). | Check availability |
Teen and Adult (ages 11 and older)
Learn front crawl, back crawl, and basic water safety in lessons designed just for you.
| Class | Ages | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Teen Beginner | 11–17 | Check availability |
| Adult Beginner | 14 and older | Check availability |
Southwest Portland
This city region includes Southwest Indoor Pool.
Drop-in swimming schedules are published the pool’s webpage, linked above.
Child with Adult (ages 6 months–2 years)
An adult must participate with the child.
Water adjustment and basic skills development are emphasized as the instructor guides parents and children through this level.
| Class | Ages | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | 6–18 months | Check availability |
| Starfish | 18 months–2 | Check availability |
Preschool (ages 3–5 years)
| Class | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | For the non-swimmer. | Check availability |
| Pre-Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | Check availability |
| Pre-Otter | Must be comfortable in the water and able to do a front glide with kick for 5 feet and unassisted back floats. | Check availability |
Youth (ages 6–14 years)
| Class | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | Check availability |
| Otter | Must be comfortable in the water and able to do a front glide with kick for 10 feet and unassisted back floats. | Check availability |
| Seal | Must be able to do back glides with kicking for 10 feet, front crawl with no side breathing for 15 feet, and five side breathing breaths with arms on the wall. | Check availability |
| Polar Bear | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim front crawl with arms, side breathing for 30 feet, and backstroke with arms for 30 feet. | Check availability |
| Sea Lion | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim front crawl with side breathing for 50 feet and backstroke for 50 feet. | Check availability |
| Dolphin | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim front crawl with side breathing for 25 yards, back crawl for 25 yards, and elementary backstroke for 25 yards. | Check availability |
| Park Shark | Must be comfortable in deep water and able to dive into the pool and swim front crawl for 50 yards, swim backstroke for 50 yards, and breaststroke for 50 yards. | Check availability |
| Blue Makos | A pre-competitive swim league for ages 6–17. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool, front crawl stroke, and backstroke (equal to passing Sea Lion level). | Check availability |
Teen and Adult (ages 11 and older)
| Class | Ages | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Teen Beginner | 11–17 | Check availability |
| Adult | 14 and older | Check availability |