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Label:
Guide
Use the links listed below to find swim lessons within a city region. Within each section, click the arrow next to the participant age group you want to view.
View all swim lessons with available space
Swim lessons are 30 minutes long. 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.
You can review all PP&R Swim Lesson Levels to see the full progression and search for availability by lesson level.
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 (indoor) and Mt. Scott (indoor) pools.
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 | Check availability |
| Starfish | 18 months–2 | East Portland and Mt. Scott | Check availability |
Preschool (ages 3–5 years)
| Class | Description | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | For the non-swimmer. | East Portland and Mt. Scott | Check availability |
| Pre-Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | East Portland and Mt. Scott | 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 | 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 and Mt. Scott | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. | East Portland and Mt. Scott | Check availability |
Teen and Adult (ages 11 and older)
| Class | Ages | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Beginner | 11–17 | East Portland and Mt. Scott Pool | Check availability |
| Adult | 14 and older | East Portland and Mt. Scott 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 | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | 6–18 months | Matt Dishman | Check availability |
| Starfish | 18 months–2 | Matt Dishman | Check availability |
Preschool (ages 3–5 years)
| Class | Description | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | For the non-swimmer. | Matt Dishman | Check availability |
| Pre-Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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. | Matt Dishman | 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 | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Beginner | 11–17 | Matt Dishman | Check availability |
| Adult Beginner | 14 and older | Matt Dishman | 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 | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | 6–18 months | Southwest | Check availability |
| Starfish | 18 months–2 | Southwest | Check availability |
Preschool (ages 3–5 years)
| Class | Description | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | For the non-swimmer. | Southwest | Check availability |
| Pre-Penguin | For the non-swimmer who can put their face in the water and blow bubbles. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | 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. | Southwest | Check availability |
Teen and Adult (ages 11 and older)
| Class | Ages | Pool | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Beginner | 11–17 | Southwest | Check availability |
| Adult | 14 and older | Southwest | Check availability |