Swimming classes for kids help them stay safe around water, gain lifelong skills, and build the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle. To address the growing need for accessible swim instruction, the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) has proudly partnered with Learn to Swim America™, a newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, high-quality swim lessons for young children across the United States and beyond.
Whether parents are searching online for “kids swimming lessons near me” or “infant swim lessons,” Learn to Swim America aims to meet them where they are—with certified instruction, safety-focused teaching, and flexible options that suit every family.

A Mission Rooted in Safety and Empowerment

ALA has long championed water safety education and training. With over 25,000 active certified lifeguards, the organization has built a national reputation for excellence in aquatic instruction. But with the introduction of Learn to Swim America, ALA is expanding its mission even further—beyond just guarding lives to proactively saving them through education.

The idea is simple but powerful: make swimming lessons available to every family, regardless of income or location. This is being achieved by developing a free, 10-step video-based swim instruction program designed for parents and their toddlers. These video lessons will allow parents to teach their children to swim at home or at their community pool—with support from trained professionals along the way.

Rather than wait for group classes or rely on overcrowded swim schools, families will have access to simple, expert-led instruction designed to introduce toddlers to water at their own pace.

Meeting the Demand for Swimming Lessons

Search terms like kids swim school, private swim lessons near me, and swimming lessons for toddlers have seen explosive growth in recent years. Parents everywhere recognize the value of swim education but often face challenges such as high costs, long waitlists, or lack of transportation to traditional facilities.

ALA’s Learn to Swim America eliminates many of those barriers. Not only is the program completely free, but it is also available online, which means any family with a smartphone or computer can begin teaching their child to swim from the comfort of their own home. This digital approach makes it easier for working parents, rural communities, and underserved populations to access the same high-quality instruction traditionally reserved for private swim schools.

A Unique 10-Step Instructional Model

The Learn to Swim America program is centered around ten progressive steps that gradually help children become more confident and capable in the water. From getting comfortable in shallow water and blowing bubbles to floating, kicking, and eventually learning coordinated strokes, each step builds upon the last.

Parents are not expected to be swim experts. That’s where the video content comes in. Each segment is led by a certified lifeguard who demonstrates techniques clearly and provides real-time guidance, tips, and troubleshooting. The program also includes printable progress sheets, safety checklists, and age-appropriate games that make learning fun and engaging for young swimmers.

For families who prefer in-person help, ALA is encouraging certified lifeguards to offer private swim lessons locally, including pop-up classes and backyard pool sessions where permitted. This allows certified professionals to earn supplemental income while supporting their communities and saving lives through education.

Addressing the Lifeguard and Swim Instructor Shortage

Another key benefit of the Learn to Swim America program is its potential to ease the ongoing shortage of lifeguards and swim instructors. Many cities and towns have struggled to keep pools open due to a lack of certified staff. One root cause is that fewer young people know how to swim, making it difficult to build a pipeline of future aquatic professionals.

By teaching kids to swim at a young age, ALA is helping to grow a generation of strong, confident swimmers who may one day become lifeguards themselves. This long-term vision is crucial for ensuring water safety nationwide—not just today but for decades to come.

Moreover, Learn to Swim America gives current lifeguards new opportunities to stay active in the off-season. Instructors can offer part-time private swim instruction to local families, increasing their income while reinforcing their own knowledge and commitment to safety.

Why Learn to Swim America Matters

Swim schools often cater to families with financial means, but what about the millions of children whose families cannot afford $30-$100 per lesson? Or the communities without a neighborhood pool or local aquatic center?

ALA believes that access to basic water safety and swim instruction is a human right—not a luxury. Learn to Swim America is the practical, grassroots answer to a national problem. Its community-driven model empowers families, supports lifeguards, and saves lives.

Whether your child wants to swim for fun, fitness, or even competitive sport, the skills taught in Learn to Swim America will serve as a strong foundation. And because it’s backed by the American Lifeguard Association, parents can trust the information is based on the latest safety science and best practices.

Launch Timeline and What’s Next

Learn to Swim America is scheduled to launch in mid-December 2025, just in time for families to incorporate water safety into their New Year’s goals. The free instructional videos will be hosted on the official websites of both the American Lifeguard Association and Learn to Swim America, along with social media pages and YouTube for maximum reach.

In addition to the core 10-step toddler program, plans are underway to develop additional tracks for older children, special needs swimmers, and teenagers preparing for lifeguard certification. Each course will follow the same principles of accessibility, affordability, and certified safety instruction.

ALA will also begin offering mini-grants to lifeguards who commit to offering community swim lessons, further incentivizing lifeguard retention and empowering certified professionals to make a direct impact in their neighborhoods.

Join the Movement

You don’t need to wait until December to get involved. If you’re a parent, lifeguard, community center, school, or public health advocate, you can join the Learn to Swim America campaign today. Help us spread the word, share the vision, and take steps toward ending childhood drowning.

Whether you share a social media post, host a swim safety day, or donate to help us expand, your involvement can help ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to water safety.