Swimming lessons for kids and adults at Osher Marin JCC
At the JCC, we offer baby swim lessons, adult swimming lessons, and group and private swimming lessons. In fact, swimming lessons can be taken at any age, but they are best when taught early on so the swimmer can have a life of enjoyment, exercise, and safety around water.
The Osher Marin JCC Swim School
Friday Funday
Aqua Babies
- Ages 6 months – 3 years
- Parent Child Classes
- Parents and children explore the pool together, while they sing songs, engage in beginning swim activities, and play with toys at a variety of play stations all under the guidance of a JCC trained swim instructor.
- Drop-in available. Member: $25 / Public $35
Splash!
- Water Play
- Ratio 8:1
- Ages 6 months – 2 years
- Parent Child Classes
- Parents and their babies are introduced to the water through songs and play, enhancing their mental and physical development.
- Designed to be a positive and safe water experience while practicing introductory water skills.
Advanced
Splash!
- Water Exploration
- Ratio 8:1
- Ages 2 – 4 years
- Parent Child Classes
- Parents and their toddlers are introduced to basic swim skills in a slightly more structured program.
- Skills: Bubbles, floating both front and back, and kicking.
First Fins Water Introduction
- Minimum Age: 3 years
- Ratio 4:1
- Prerequisite: Child can participate in class without additional adult assistance.
- Goal: Breath control, safety rules, buoyancy, and beginning locomotion on front and back with assistance.
Level 1
Primary Skills
- Minimum Age: 3½ years
- Ratio 4:1
- Prerequisite: First Fins skills and limited independence in water.
- Goal: Breath control, safety rules, begin to float and explore swimming unsupported on front and back.
Level 2
Stroke Readiness
- Minimum Age: 3½ years
- Ratio 5:1
- Prerequisite: Level 1 skills and beginning independence in the water.
- Goal: Improve coordination of leg and arm actions on front and back, float unassisted on back, water safety, and breath control.
Level 3
Stroke Development
- Minimum Age: 4 years
- Ratio 6:1
- Prerequisite: Level 2 skills and independence in the water.
- Goal: Learn front crawl, rotary breathing, elementary backstroke, dolphin and scissors kick, safety skills, and water entry.
Level 4
Stroke Improvement
- Minimum Age: 5 years
- Ratio 6:1
- Prerequisite: Level 3 skills and swim unassisted 15 yards.
- Goal: Front and back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, sidestroke, elementary backstroke, tread water, water entry, and personal water safety.
Level 5
Orcas!
- Ages: 5+ years
- Ratio 6:1
- Prerequisite: Level 4
- Goal: Improve all strokes, learn butterfly and sidestroke. Learn all forms of diving, open turns, and circle swim. 50 yards freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke. 25 yards sidestroke, and butterfly.
Pre-Swim
Team
- Ages: 5+ years
- Ratio 6:1
- Prerequisite: Able to swim 25 yards freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke.
- Goal: Fundamentals of swimming in a team environment including circle swim. Focus on competitive swimming while developing and refining open turns, dives, and conditioning.
Adult
Learn to Swim
- Ages: 18+ years
- Ratio 6:1
- Class Focus: Basic swim skills are introduced, developed, and improved. This class will work on endurance and becoming comfortable in the shallow and deep water.
Customized Private
and Semi-Private Lessons
- Enjoy the flexibility of choosing a schedule that fits your lifestyle! The entire focus is on developing your child’s skill level.
- Also, take advantage of forming your own private group with friends or family members of the same age and ability level.
- Click this link and complete the form to assist our staff with your swimming lesson inquiries.
Osher Marin JCC swim lessons are fun and safe!
Swim Lessons - Options and Packages
Semi-private and private-lesson packages are available.
Member Price | Non-Member Price | |
|---|---|---|
30-min. Private Lesson One lesson | $65 | $75 |
30-min. Private Lesson Five lessons | $293 | $338 |
30-min. Private Lesson Ten lessons | $520 | $600 |
30-min. Semi-Private Lesson 2 per group Ten lessons | $158 per student | $203 per student |
30-min. Private Group Lesson 3-4 per group Ten lessons | $135 per student | $185 per student |
30-min. Semi-Private Lesson 2 per group Ten lessons | $280 per student | $360 per student |
Pool Policies
Ensuring a safe and enjoyable time for all
General Pool Policies
- Lifeguards have complete and final authority on usage and rule enforcement.
- Swimsuits are required when using our pools, spa, steam room, and sauna
- Children may play freely during “Open” and “Family” swim times.
- Exercise equipment, including noodles, barbells, weights, inner tubes, and belts, are available for adult use only.
- Children may use kickboards at the discretion of the lifeguards, and are encouraged to use our Coast Guard Approved life vests. No other flotation devices are allowed.
- No glass or food on pool decks—only lawn areas.
- All young children who aren’t toilet trained MUST wear swim diapers and plastic
swim pants while using our pools. - Failure to adhere to this policy may result in pool closure.
- For your convenience, you may purchase swim pants and diapers at the H&F desk.
Pool Policies for Kids
- Kids ages 13 and older – May use the pools without a parent or guardian.
- Kids ages 10-12 – May use the pool on their own if they pass a swim test. Their parent must
remain in the facility. - Kids ages 8-9 – May use the pool if they pass our swim test. The parent must remain in view.
- Kids ages 5-7 – Must have a parent in the pool with them regardless of their swimming ability.
- Kids ages 4-13 – Must be supervised in the spa by a parent at all times.
- Kids ages 4 and under – Must remain within arm’s length of their parent while in the pool.
- Kids ages 3 and under – May not use the spa.
Download the Swim Lessons Policy and Waiver PDF to complete, sign, and return to the Aquatics Department prior to the start of swim lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
for swim lessons
1. How do I know what level to register my child?
Choose the level that you feel most fits your child’s skill level. You are also welcome to give us a call and we can ask you questions pertaining to each level to aid you in the process of choosing. You may also bring your child in for an assessment at a time that fits both parties.
2. I guessed the level I think is appropriate for my child, but what happens if I was wrong? Or… I signed my child up for multiple sessions throughout the summer; what if my child progresses more quickly or slowly than I anticipated?
We make every effort to evaluate your child on the first day of class and move him/ her up or down as needed. If there is no space at that time to move them to the appropriate level we will work with you to either move to a different time or day, or we will offer a credit if accommodations cannot be made.
3. Should I sign my child up for private swim lessons?
This depends on your child. Private swim lessons are great for young children overcoming fear of the water who may not be ready for a group lesson, or more advanced swimmers who would like to work on technique, swimmers who are older or younger than the recommended age range of the group lesson, or anyone who thrives in a one-on-one learning environment.
4. What do I need to bring to swim lessons?
Please ensure your child is wearing a well-fitting, comfortable swimsuit and goggles. Don’t forget a towel or robe and some flip-flops for before and after the lesson. Swimmers with long hair should tie their hair back or wear a swim cap. A snack 30 or more minutes before class is also recommended.
5. What do I do if I loved my child’s swim lesson instructor and would like to have him or her again?
Please sign up for another session. If the instructor is teaching that session and is available at the time of your lesson we will try to accommodate your request. Please note, we cannot guarantee you will be placed with the instructor of your choice. Remember, all of our instructors are great. Different teaching styles can sometimes help swimmers improve.
6. What if my child cries or is afraid?
Overcoming fear is part of swim lessons. Our swim instruction staff and pool managers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and very kid-friendly. If you need help encouraging your child into the pool ask our staff for assistance. Instructors will encourage your child to join the class in a manner that’s responsive to his/her needs. Sometimes tears can have their root not in fear but in separation anxiety. This is part of the learning process as well. If you feel your child may be experiencing separation anxiety rather than fear of the water it is best to keep your distance during the lesson. Removing yourself from the child’s sight during the lesson may be required in certain situations. In such cases, the child will usually calm down when the parent is out of view and be able to focus and rely on the teacher for instruction and help.
7. What if my child is sick?
If your child has a fever or stomach or digestion problems please keep him/her home. Do not bring your sick child to a lesson.
8. Do you offer make-ups or credits for missed classes?
We do not offer refunds, credits, or make-ups for missed classes. If your child is unable to attend, we look forward to seeing your child at his/her next scheduled lesson. Consistency is important. Please do your best to regularly bring your child to swim lessons. If we need to cancel a class we will offer credits as appropriate.
9. What should my child wear?
We recommend a full swimsuit and goggles. Swim caps are great for children with long hair.
10. How are lessons scheduled?
Normally swim lessons are either scheduled online or through our swim office.
11. Cancellation policy for Private Swim Lessons?
For private swim lessons, there is a 48-hour cancellation policy to reschedule the swim credit. Please email: if you need to cancel a private lesson: swimlessons@marinjcc.org.
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JCC Swim Instructors
Jane Balin
About Me
I have worked at the JCC as an American Red Cross certified swim instructor for 5 years. I am also a certified lifeguard at the JCC.
During my years as a swim instructor, I have taught swimming to our youngest swimmers and their parents along with our teenage and adult members, including those with special needs. As of late, I have focused on our youngest swimmers in our Splash, Advanced Splash, First Fins, and Level One classes.
My teaching philosophy in all my classes is to provide education on water safety, swim strokes when appropriate, and how to feel comfortable and have fun in the water. I follow the lead of my youngest to oldest students in terms of what they want and need to learn. I find it deeply rewarding to see my students progress in their water skills.
My hobbies include swimming, biking, running, hiking, and birding. I also love to garden, travel, and walk my dog.
Rebecca Callaway
About Me
– Swim instructor
– Teaches all ages
– Teaches children and adults
– Teaches Group & Private Swim lessons
Rebecca has been swimming all of her life. Her favorite stroke to swim is the breaststroke and her favorite stroke to teach her students is the backstroke. She is CPR certified and has been teaching for over 40 years.
Some of her hobbies include cooking, gardening, knitting, crocheting and sewing. She has one dog she loves very much and 6 grandchildren.
Ronnie Feldman
About Me
– Teach young children (3-9 years)
– Teach Private Swim Lessons
Ronnie has been swimming since the age of four. She swam competitively from six to eighteen years of age. Her favorite strokes are freestyle and IM or individual medley. She has been teaching at the Osher Marin JCCsince the summer of 2021. Previously, she taught private swimming lessons in high school and college. She enjoys seeing children build confidence in the water and develop skills to swim and become water safe. Some of her hobbies include yoga, cooking, hiking, reading and knitting.
Sandy Huser
About Me
I have been teaching group and private lessons for the JCC since September of 2022 and absolutely love it!
I have a large client base and many repeat customers! I specialize in private lessons (level 1-pre swim team).
I have been a competitive swimmer from age 5 and swam at the collegiate level at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
My other jobs include a real estate appraiser and office assistant at Good Shepherd School. With the little free time I have I enjoy playing tennis and pickleball.
I live in Bel Marin Keys on the water and have an 18 and 19 year old at college away from home.
I love working with children and watching their swimming skills improve in front of my eyes!