Private Swim Lessons

Parent Q&A

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Private swim instructor for kids ages 5-8
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Mar 18, 2024

We’re looking for someone to hire for 1:1 private swim instruction. We would work with public pool hours in the larger East Bay area (Berkeley/Oakland/Richmond). We’re aiming for 1 hour twice per week. Two kids ages 5 and 8. Any referrals would be great. Thanks.

Mar 18, 2024

All the local public pools prohibit private instruction by outside parties. Your arrangement likely would be immediately broken up.

Highly recommend a summer of Canyon Pool private lessons if you want the kids to get better fast.

Mar 23, 2024

For private instruction, I recommend going "through the tunnel" to Sherman Swim School in Lafayette. It's a little drive, but worth it for the warm weather, warm pool, dedicated teachers and overall excellent experience! My kids only really made swimming progress when working w/ private instructors (we're over paying for them to spend the majority of the lesson holding onto the edge of the pool for a cumulative 5 minutes of personal instruction). Another option for private lessons is Ohana in the Oakland hills - we liked it, but Sherman was better.

Mar 27, 2024
Private swim teacher - Berkeley
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Jun 10, 2023

We're looking for a private swim teacher for our 9 year old boy, on a weekly basis in the afternoons or weekends.

We live in the Berkeley area. Thanks.

Jun 10, 2023

My family just started seeing Ashley, who teaches out of the pool at Mills College. She is lovely and warm and had my kiddo (who generally hates being taught to swim) beaming by the end of her first class. You can DM/email me for her number, I believe she's taking more students.

Jun 14, 2023
Looking for a private swim instructor in Oakland
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Apr 28, 2023

Does anyone have any recommendations for a private swim instructor to come to our home in Oakland who's experienced working with kids (ours are 3 and 6 yrs old)? I've reached out to the folks recommended on previous similar posts and they're either no longer teacher or not available. Thanks!

Apr 28, 2023

check with Greg at Playground Kings camp. He's a BUSD PE teacher besides running the camp and I know he was teaching a small group of kids to swim privately during the pandemic. Nice guy and the kids liked him.

May 3, 2023

During the pandemic we used Koung Chaiyasane (Coach K) and a friend's private pool. She was very patient with my easily distracted child and we felt confident about their swimming ability at the end. I don't seem to have her contact info handy, but I'm sure you can do a search.

May 6, 2023
Seeking private swim instructor for young teen
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Jan 2, 2023

Looking for a private swim instructor for a young teen with almost no water experience. To meet us at a public pool. Everyone says private instructor is the way to go with teens, but I can't figure out where to find one!

Jan 2, 2023

No public pools allow private instruction by a third party. Look into private lessons at Canyon or El Cerrito pools.

Jan 8, 2023
Private swim lessons for 5YO with basic experience
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Jan 27, 2022

Looking for private swimming lessons for a 5 year old with previous basic experience. Aware of Harriet Plummer, Ohana, Canyon and Patti’s. Thank you!

Jan 27, 2022

HI:

For private we have done Patti's Swim in Castro Valley. It's a bit of a drive from our house but it's 1:1 and you can actually schedule 1-hour lessons. The con is the price -it's really expensive. My daughter is at Ohana now. She LOVES her instructor and typically there is only one other child. I will say that there has been a lot of staff turnover so many lessons were previously cut. You can also book private lessons through Strawberry Canyon.

Feb 16, 2022
Private Swim Teacher for 6YO at our home in El Cerrito
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May 8, 2021

We are looking for a swim teacher for our almost-six-year-old and a few of his friends. We have a pool in El Cerrito and would love to have the teacher come here to teach the kids to swim.

We want to find someone who isn't just a great swimmer, but someone who knows how to teach young children, to make it enjoyable, fun, and safe.

Please feel free to make any recommendations. Thank you in advance!

May 8, 2021

We did private swim lessons last summer, due to the pandemic. We had a great experience with:

Lisa Jablonski Clark, mzjablonski85 [at] gmail.com (mzjablonski85[at]gmail[dot]com) She traveled to us with age appropriate toys, the lessons had a progression in terms of gaining skills and her communication with us was great.

May 12, 2021

HI! I have the perfect fit for you! Contact Amy Bookout. She is a certified swim instructor with over 30 years experience. She has worked with my kids and was terrific! An added bonus- when she isn't teaching swimming in the summers, she is teaching first grade so knows all about getting kids to buy in and feel safe and successful. I have also seen her work with adults who fear the water so she has a great patience and compassion. Contact: amybookout1 [at] yahoo.com or phone 510-303-5598

May 15, 2021
Private Swim Instructor for Lessons at Home
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Apr 19, 2021

We're looking for a private swim instructor to come to our home in El Cerrito and help our kids (8 years old, very comfortable in the water) learn to swim. We have an in-ground pool with heater and would like our kids to learn water safety as well as basic strokes. I haven't found much on BPN for private swim instructors and was hoping to get a recommendation here. I'm also wondering if anyone has any experience with Sunsational Swim School, as a student, a teacher, or a customer. Hoping to get this lined up for May if possible. Thank you!

Apr 19, 2021

Hi there,

Seems like a swim team high schooler could fit the bill. Try Albany Armada swim team. They have high schoolers that give lessons to younger swimmers.

Cheers!

Apr 21, 2021
Private lessons for a fearful swimmer
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Jan 28, 2019

My son is 6 years old. He's always been very averse to water, even as a baby. He refuses to put his head underwater. We have done group swim lessons on and off since he was three years old, at the Oakland Y (not a great experience, one sub dunked him under the water), and then at Mills. At Mills, after two years, he would start blowing bubbles and put his face in a few times, but still refused to dunk his head all the way under.

At this point, it's obvious we need to switch to private lessons. I'm looking for recommendations for a great instructor/ place. We live in Oakland but I'm willing to travel for someone great. I found Woody's Private Lessons on yelp, and we are on the waitlist, but it is very long. I'm hoping someone out there has another idea for me!

Also, if you have advice/ encouragement / stories of what helped your kid overcome their fear of water, I'd love to hear it.

Thank you!!

Jan 28, 2019

Sherman Swim in Lafayette is great. My 2 kids learned there. They have a website which you can google.

Jan 29, 2019

Patti's Swim School in Castro Valley is a wonderful program and they helped my timid son overcome his fear of the water. http://pattisswimschool.com

Jan 30, 2019

My son was not at all interested in learning to swim until he was 10. At that age, group lessons were not going to work for him, so he did private lessons at Aquatech Swim in Alameda. He is now 21 and has never become a water loving person, but he did learn to swim enough to be safe in the water and to be able to enjoy it with his friends. His water-friendly younger sister also did private lessons there and enjoyed them. The lessons weren’t cheap, but my son learned pretty quickly, so we didn’t end up doing them that long. The other advantage to Aquatech for us is that it is an indoor facility, so we could go during the winter months.

Jan 30, 2019

Check out Ohana Aquatics in the Oakland hills off Redwood Road. My child is in group lessons there but I believe they also do private lessons. I’ve really liked my daughter’s teacher. She was extremely fearful of the water and had made amazing progress in about nine months even in group lessons.

Jan 30, 2019

Hi! My son was a fearful swimmer as well. He did lessons at Tim Oliver swimming in Oakland which I believe is now called Ohana: https://www.ohanaaquatics.com/swim-lessons. Hang in there! It took him a long time to feel comfortable, but now he's 10 and swims like a champ.

Jan 30, 2019

Hi

we had a son who was afraid.

2 general ideas.

We found places that teach kids with special needs or autism are also good for kids with fear in general.

What worked best is a private instructor who since retired . He took a different approach. First he taught buoyancy. He showed my son a water bottle with oxygen. How with air it is buoyant. Then said that is how lungs work. This was a breakthrough. So my son would stay in the shallow end saying “I’m practicing my buoyancy”. For him, knowing there was a science to it and he could control it and practice it really helped. Then once he got comfortable with that he could move on to lessons.

I have found with fear sometimes you have to take a step backwards and unpack it. And a good teacher is helpful too. Good luck.

Jan 30, 2019

My now 10 year old daughter took a few years to warm up to feeling comfortable in the water and from the age of 5-7 was also extremely averse to dunking her head under the surface and didn't want to learn how to swim. After a couple of group lessons when she was 6 or 7 we switched to private lessons (at the Albany Aquatic Center) to get one-on-one time. Best decision ever. It took several sessions over two years but her confidence level rose after each session and simply the fact that the instructors took time to figure out what the best learning method was for her was worth every penny. She can now do the front crawl for about half the length of the pool, backstroke for the entire length, dive for rings, and jump in from the edge of the pool. These private lessons also provide the opportunity to retain fun during lessons which is very important in order for the kid to stay motivated. And most importantly, in my opinion, is following your son's lead in terms of comfort level. While we stressed to our daughter that swimming is a life skill, we simply told her that not drowning is the whole goal of taking these lessons and that she can take all the time she needs. We also enticed her with the potential of having more fun during summer camps, birthday parties and hotel stays that involve swimming. So while it might take some time, with patience he's very likely to enjoy being in the water more and more. Good luck!

Jan 30, 2019

I have been very very happy with Sherman Swim School in Lafayette. Katie, in particular, is excellent (she teaches my 2.5yo). I would give them a call, and ask if they have instructors available with experience with your son’s needs. Hopefully they will be able to help. Good luck, and hang in there!

Jan 30, 2019

My son was terrified of getting his face wet, let alone putting his head underwater. We had amazing results doing private lessons at Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante. He learned to swim the first summer of lessons, and he is now (after a few summers of swimming lessons there) a great swimmer.

Jan 30, 2019

Hello,

We also tried group lessons with my son (he's 6 now) and he didn't respond well to them. Last year we tried private lessons through the Emeryville Aquatics Center and he learned to swim very quickly. The instructors were all pretty young - late teens/early 20's - and very good with the kids. We especially took to Jackie and did 12 lessons with her. It's very affordable - I think we paid about $22 per lesson for 30 minutes. There are other instructors teaching one on one in the pool at the same time. It is an outdoor pool. https://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/1256/Aquatics

Good luck!

Jan 31, 2019

My daughter didn't really learn until she was 8. Some kids just take longer. We never went as far as private lessons, but the classes at Tim Oliver in Oakland hills were small and she was sometimes by herself, esp during the winter months. (I think they have privates as well ) I appreciated the small private yard nextdoor where I could enjoy a little me time. Especially with an older kid, it's nice if you don't have to sit poolside the whole time. It was a bit of a drive for us from berkekey, but I enjoyed half an hour outside in a patklike setting by myself, and the instructors were very good.

Feb 1, 2019

Agree, some kids just aren't ready at 6. I'd wait this year out. Try a short session in 2020, see how it goes. I have an 8 year old who still can't really swim, have wasted a lot of money on her lessons over the years. My 10 year old finally can swim, and lessons for him really kicked in when he was around 8. So I have hope for our late bloomers...

Feb 3, 2019

When my son was three, I did a lot of research to find a swim program I thought would work for my too-frequently-wary-of-trying-new-things son. Thinking back to my own childhood, I made a mental list of all the things I hated about swim lessons: cold pools, not always so friendly instructors, one or two weeks sessions where I was expected to complete certain goals. I enrolled my son at a school where the water is 92 degrees farenheit, the classes were year round so that he learned at his own pace and comfort level, and the instructors were not under pressure to have the kids learn within a certain time frame, hence less pressure on the child. I enrolled my son in a class but there were never more than 5 or six in the class, and I think at a young age having other kids around might make it more interesting and fun for the child. Happy Fish Swim School is way down in Fremont (they have another school in Livermore), which is probably too far for you to want to drive, but I would keep in mind the things to look for in a swim school. Blowing bubbles was a big deal back then, now my 10-year-old son still swims at Happy Fish but just for fun and exercise. Good Luck!

Feb 6, 2019

As the mom of a kid who loves to swim and swims pretty well, I would like to add the following to this topic: Due mainly to time and money concerns, I signed up my daughter for just one 6 or 8-week group swimming lesson session per year for ages 3-10 years old. The rest of the time we would go to (cheap) unstructured family swim hours almost every week and just play around together, or, when she got older, with other kids. I think this helped her love the water and to see it as fun, rather than being just like water-school. She really progressed on her own from year to year, just by playing in the water. Good luck.

Feb 6, 2019

Are you sure he is afraid of the water? Maybe he isn't comfortable with the pool environment or maybe he doesn't trust the teacher. I would stop pushing and just let him go at his own pace. Maybe if you played games with him in the water it would help.

Feb 6, 2019
Private swim lessons for little kids on weekend
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Apr 20, 2018

We have been doing private swim lessons at the YMCA on Saturdays but it is getting increasingly difficult to sign up for lessons due to limited availability and high demands. I spent all day refreshing the Y website every 15 min. to try to sign up for a private lesson. I took a quick break and came back to my computer to sign up and all the slots were gone in the 30 min. I was gone! What are full-time working parents supposed to do? Most of the YMCA swim lessons are on weekday afternoon!

Our kid is shy and hasn't done very well in group lessons and we're committed to making sure that the kid learns to swim. Unfortunately, I'm not a strong swimmer and don't know how to teach my kid. The kid is 5 years old. Does anyone know of any other place where we can get private swim lessons for the kid?

Apr 20, 2018
I'm in the same boat as you! I'm going to check out Aquatech in Alameda. It looks promising, and I'd love to see what others say.

Apr 25, 2018

Tim Oliver Swimming offers private lessons but even better, his instructors tend to work with groups of only 3-4 kids. This is where my son learned, after tough experiences at Aquatech and the Y, both of which were too noisy, intimidating, crowded, etc. It's a great school, IMO, and they're actually outdoors in the summer, in a very warm location - which just changes everything.

12000 Campus Dr Oakland, CA 94619b/t Redwood Rd & Sereno Cir Oakland Hills

Phone number(510) 759-2782

Business websitetimoliverswimming.com

Apr 25, 2018

It's a bit of a drive, but Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante is excellent and offers weekend lessons. They also offer evening lessons during the week for working parents. They are pretty pricey, but totally worth it. Check them out!

Apr 25, 2018

Our daughter took lessons for years at the Y, and it was definitely frustrating trying to sign up for classes there. Eventually she moved to the Berkeley city swim team at King pool on Hopkins; that's where she really, truly learned to swim. They also have private lessons there, and I appreciated the programming there.

Apr 25, 2018

It may be too far for you but we have have great experiences with our son learning to swim at Patti's Swim School in Castro Valley. The semi-private lessons, not so much since the learning time is only 15 minutes. But private lessons are 20 minutes and often the instructors will stay with the kid for the full 30 min. Our 3 year old has gone from no swimming at all last year to being able to swim across the pool this year.

Apr 25, 2018

Harriet Plummer Aquatic School in Lafayette, if it’s not too far to go.

Apr 25, 2018

AquaTech in Alameda. Private or small groups.

Apr 25, 2018

Sherman Swim School, in Lafayette! So very worth the drive thru the tunnel. The weather is always warm, the water is always warm, the instructors are wonderful. Your child will make huge strides in a short amount of time. They seem to specialize in shy, reticent little swimmers!

Apr 25, 2018

Emeryville pool has private weekend lessons. Patient teachers. Nice pool.

Apr 25, 2018

You've already gotten some good answers about other options for swim classes. If you want to continue with the Berkeley Y, I suggest that you abandon any attempt to use their website and instead either call and/or go in person to make arrangements for lessons. I have complained *repeatedly* (in person, at the front desk) about the lack of timely information on the website, but to no avail, and the only solution I've ever found was to call and call and call again, and email multiple times. Good luck!

Apr 25, 2018

Woody's private swimming lessons at the Bellevue Club right by Lake Merritt is also very good.

Apr 26, 2018
Private joint swim lessons for 2 and 5 year old
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Aug 25, 2017

I would like to take my two daughters to a private instructor for joint swim lessons. I checked with Tim Oliver, but they only take kids beginning at age 3, so that doesn't work for us. Does anyone know of another swim school or YMCA in the East Bay that might offer lessons that I can take both girls to together? The two year old is fearless and exceptionally agile! Thanks for your ideas.

Aug 25, 2017

I would highly recommend Oaklantis Swimming http://oaklantis.squarespace.com/

Aug 30, 2017

Try the Berkeley Tennis Club (you don't have to be a member). The pool is outdoors. We worked with Ian over the summer and he was great. He has limited availability during the school year, but there have another instructor (Pier).

Aug 30, 2017

Try Sherman Swim School in Lafayette. They do private lessons, semi-private with 2 kids, and start at age 9 months.

My twins took lessons there when they were pre-school aged and got a very good foundation in swimming. A bonus of the location in Lafayette is that the weather is usually warm there, so getting out of the pool is not as much of a shock (it's an outdoor pool.)

It's expensive.

Aug 30, 2017

Sherman Swim School in Lafayette! I think it's exactly what you're looking for - we love it.

Aug 31, 2017

Emeryville community pool

Sep 3, 2017
Private swim lessons 2 year olds
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Aug 24, 2016

Does anyone have recommendations for private swim lessons or swim instructor for 2 year olds?

Thank you- Kristina, single mom of 2 year old twins.

Aug 24, 2016

The Berkeley ymca has private lessons in downtown Berkeley.

Sep 11, 2016

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Private Swim instructor for 3 and 6 year olds

June 2013

Three families are looking for a private swim instructor (or two) that can teach swim-adverse kids. We have four kids (two 3 year olds and two 6 year olds) that we want to get semi-private lessons for (one instructor for the 3 year olds and one instructor for the 6 year olds). We are looking for specific days/times - twice a week only, in the afternoons and for a 4 week period this summer. We have tried Tim Oliver and AquaTech and they are all booked up. Piedmont Pool only has a daily instruction option. Any recommendations or ideas would be much appreciated!

Sherman Swim offers T-Th lessons, for 3 week sessions. You could get semi-private, which is 2 kids per class. Or private, which is 1 kid per class. They also offer diving lessons and have a dive team. In Lafayette, right off the 24 Fwy. Our kids have gone in the past, and our 6 year old will be there this summer. Google for their website. anon

You should check with Roberts Pool. I think they are pretty flexible in setting up a schedule for private or semi-private lessons. Good luck

Private swim class for 11YO

May 2013

Our 11 year old son needs to learn how to swim. We have done group classes in the past and they simply do not work for him. We are looking for private (one on one) classes once or twice a week on weekdays at 6pm or later (working parents). Anywhere from Richmond to Berkeley would be fine location-wise. mom of a wanna-be swimmer

Alameda has some fabulous swim class and private session opportunities. -Alameda Park & Rec offers private swim lessons at a great price -Aquatech Swim School -more options with a curriculum and kid friendly incentives -Harbor Bay Athletic Club -more flexible scheduling Momma of initially reluctant little and big swimmers

Private swim lessons for 3 and 5 year old

April 2012

We are new to the area and I was looking for private swim instruction for my 5 and 3 year old sons. Never had lessons before. I do not have my own pool. Any recommendations? Thanks margaret

My 3 1/2 year-old son adores his private swim instructor Hayley Piersol (we found her via BPN). She's been fantastic with him and he has made a TON of progress. He had been in lots of ''Mommy and me'' style swim classes and so he was very comfortable in the water, but he wasn't doing anything remotely close to swimming.

When my daughter was born, I was suddenly aware of how hard it was to manage two non-swimmers in the water and I wanted him to be safer in the pool as soon as possible. I wasn't looking to create a competitive swimmer necessarily, but I did want him to learn proper techniques and water safety. Hayley fit the bill perfectly. In just a few lessons, my son has made more progress than in months of group lessons. Ultimately a lot cheaper than investing in all the group lessons, although I think they made a difference in getting him comfortable in the water.

In terms of logistics, Hayley teaches weekend lessons in an odd but warm little pool, up in the Oakland Hills by a church. There have been a few lessons missed due to pool problems, but Hayley always communicates with us via text message and keeps us updated. My only complaint is that the older gentleman who is seemingly in charge of the pool is kind of a grumpy guy. He doesn't have a lot of patience for kids. But we don't really interact with him -- he's just there running things while Hayley and several other private instructors give lessons. I really recommend Hayley -- she's sweet and lovely and has a great style with kids. My son absolutely adores her and looks forward to swimming every Saturday. shannon

Private swim lessons for 3.5-yo around Berkeley?

Feb 2011

Hello -- I want to take my 3.5 year old to swim classes but as a working mom the drive to Canyon, Haufler, or Harriet Plummer is impractical. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with private lessons at the downtown Berkeley Y? I'm also wondering if there are any experienced private swim instructors who work near Berkeley. Our child has never taken any swim classes, so he would be starting fresh. S

My daughter has been taking private swim lessons through the City of Berkeley at the King Pool on Hopkins Street in North Berkeley, and she finally learned how to swim. The only downside is that, although the pool is heated, it is outside. Google ''City of Berkeley Aquatics'' for current schedule and cost. Robin

Swim teacher to come to our house

April 2009

I am looking for an instructor to give swimming lessons to our 3 children (age 2, 6 and 10). We live in the Berkeley Hills and have our own pool, so I would need somebody to come to our house after school (around 5PM) once or twice a week. Experience with teaching children a must.

Hi I just wanted to put in a good word for two wonderful special needs swimming instructors, Derrick Hensman and Alon Altman. They have taught my autistic son at the Berkeley High Warm Pool for many months now and he has made terrific progress swimming and he absolutely LOVES to go. Both the instructors are really patient, calm, and understand kids with sensory issues and limited verbal abilities. Mary

My son's regular swim teacher had a substitute last week. My son really liked him. I don't know if he's amenable to coming to your house, but I do know he's looking for instruction opportunities (he sent an email around asking us for recommendations). His information is: Derrick Hensman 510-296-5069 swimdivesail [at] gmail.com Qualifications: 15 years as a swim instructor for children 6 months of age and older; 15 years of teaching adults and seniors; 7 years of teaching developmentally challenged individuals (i.e. Autism and Down Syndrome); Certified Water Safety Instructor (WSI); Lifeguard; First Aid and CPR certified. Karen

Private swim lesson for 4 year old

April 2008

I'm looking for private swimming lessons for my son who will be 4 this summer. Any suggestions will be welcome. Thanks! Patty

The best place I have taken my kids for swimming lessons is, hands down, Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante. They do offer private lessons. My kids were absolutely freaked by the water, hated swimming lessons everywhere else. Within 4 weeks, my then-6-yr old son went from puking on his first day he was so scared, to swimming across the pool unassisted in a clearly-recognizable crawl stroke. They are not a ''tough love'' type of teaching place... it is all about what the kid is ready for and willing to do. They are the BEST! Their website is canyonswimschool.com. I am so sold on them that I commute from Oakland to El Sobrante. Happy swimming! Canyon Rocks!

Yes, I have to agree Canyon School is a great place. Their program is great for all ages and children learn fast and have fun. Each teacher understands and approaches each child carefully and meets child needs without pushing to hard. Several years ago I worked for them as swim instructor and had a lot of successful stories. Now I am thinking to take my own 20 month old for lessons. They do offer private lessons they are 20 min long and they have very nice make up policy. You're also might consider group lessons because this is where children strive and do a lot better after a couple private lessons. Children love to learn by example and be in the group. Instructors are always dedicate equal amount of time for each child. Brown family who runs this program have experience for over 70 years so everything is very well structured. lola

Private lessons for 3-year-old

Feb 2004

I'm looking for recommendations for private swim lessons for my 3 year old son. I'm not interested in classes because I have a baby and I am unable to get in the water with my 3 year old for group classes. Any solid recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also, what is the going rate for private swim lessons? Thanks.- kathy

Recommended:

Piedmont Swim Club
Richmond Swim Center
Try Sherman Swim School in Lafayette. They only have private lessons and for a 3 year old they are about 15 inutes long. The sessions are usually 2 or 3 days per week for 2 or 3 weeks. I think they are open March-October. They are amazing! It is pretty expensive, but it really worked for our 4 year old. I wish we had started him there at 2 rather than waster two summers of other lessons. mother of a swimmer