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Pools

City of Phoenix pools are a great place to learn how to swim, attend a special event, exercise or just cool off during the summer months.

A group of children hold their noses and jump backwards into an outdoor swimming pool.

Programs and Resources

Swimming Lesson Information

Due to the limited space available in each session and class, a registration waitlist will be maintained.

Students will be asked to register in one of two categories – Swim School or Stroke School. Students for Swim School classes have the option to have a parent or guardian accompany them in the pool during each lesson.

Prior to registering, please determine your child's skill level based on the criteria for Swim School or Stroke School.  

This class is for children who are beginning to learn to swim and are not able to swim freestyle across the deep end of the pool. They also cannot tread water for at least 60 seconds.

Starfish Swim School Benchmarks for completion of level
  • White Star Benchmark 1: Easily can submerge entire face and body
  • Red Star Benchmark 2: Independent floating on front and back. Can roll onto back and float to breathe
  • Yellow Star Benchmark 3: Can self-rescue by performing the swim, roll, swim method
  • Blue Star Benchmark 4: Can swim with forward movement with good side glide body position and proper flutter kick
  • Green Star Benchmark 5: Can perform front stroke with 1,2,3 breathing pattern with face in the water, over arm action and strong flutter kick

This class is for children who are able to easily swim front stroke with 1,2,3 breathing pattern with face in the water, over arm action and strong flutter kick across the deep end of the pool. They can also tread water for at least 60 seconds in deep water.

Starfish Stroke School Benchmarks
  • White Star Benchmark 6: Can easily demonstrate fundamentally sound Freestyle and Backstroke
  • Red Star Benchmark 7: Can easily demonstrate fundamentally sound Elementary Backstroke and Side Stroke
  • Yellow Star Benchmark 8: Can easily demonstrate fundamentally sound Butterfly
  • Blue Star Benchmark 9: Can easily demonstrate fundamentally sound Breaststroke

Parents are taught how to help their child become comfortable and begin the learn to swim essentials to prepare to progress into Starfish Swim School.  This class is recommended for children ages 6 months to 3 years and must have an adult in the water with them.

  • Getting face wet and breath control
  • Jumping in and submerging
  • Floating on front and back
  • Locomotion on front and back with kicking and pulling

This class is recommended for beginner swimmers who are pre-teen to adults. Participants are taught based on individual abilities ranging from getting their face wet to the basic mechanics of freestyle.  Recommended for people who are 13 years old and up.

This class is a low impact, head to toe workout for beginners or seasoned adult exercisers. Aqua Fit uses the natural resistance of water to provide power moves without impacting joints. It is a great way to stay fit and stay cool with no swimming ability necessary. Classes will be held in shallow water that is shoulder deep.​

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Questions?

Contact us for questions or comments at 602-534-6587 or via email at aquatics.pks@phoenix.gov

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