Greenspan Center pool where Aquanilo Swimming teaches lessons

Now is the time to get in some swim lessons before the summer starts and NY’s public pools open.  Many swim classes started last week or will start this week and will last through the spring. What kind of swim classes are you looking for? Those for a newborn or for a toddler? Try looking for a warmer pool and ease of changing them in a family or clean locker room.  Perhaps for a toddler? Then you might ry going for a class where the instructor really connects with the kids and its easy for you to get them in and out of the locker room.  There are classes for newborns, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kids listed below- all with readers’ comments and reviews so you can find the best suited for your family.  There are a lot of options for your budget too. I didn’t list all of the public pools in Brooklyn, but most of them offer free swimming lessons for children ages 6-14 years and 3-5 years. For more information go to the site about swimming lessons. If you have any comments or information to add to this post, please add them in the “comments” section below.

Aquanilo Infant Wellness Swimming
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=149069215175
Aquaniloswim@gmail.com
Greenspan Center
39 Ainslie St
Williamsburg Brooklyn
(917) 763-0119
fax number is (516) 717-3086
About: The swim director and only instructor Danilo participated in the 2000 Olympics. While Danilo handles the creative swimming program; his partner Yaron Landow (Program Director) handles the many facets coordinating the Aquanilo classes.  Aquanilo has several classes coming up in March.  Infant Wellness Swim Classes on Wed March 10th at 3:30pm and Sat March 13th at 10:30am.  Infant Wellness Level 2 & 3 Classes on Sun March 7th at 11:15am and 12:00pm.  Toddler Swim Classes on Wed March 10th at 4:15pm and Sat March 13th at 11:15am and 12:00pm.  In order to be considered signed up you will need to fill out the waiver form and the payment authorization form and return it to them (instructions are on the form)- email them for the form. It is based on a first come first serve basis and you will be considered signed up when they receive the forms and confirmation is sent to you. You can mail, email or fax back the forms. They also offer private lessons and semi-private lessons. The pool is a 14-16 foot diameter pool with the water temperature of 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
Comments on Aquanilo: The space is wonderful, it is like a spa with a calm atmosphere and carpeted area for crawling babies. They don’t use chlorine but a different method to clean the pool. The pool is warm. Danil0, the only instructor is fantastic and they have a doula on-site to assist. The classes are fairly expensive, but seem worth it for the individual attention and wonderful atmosphere.

Berkeley Carroll School
http://www.berkeleycarroll.org/athletic-center-swim-classes/index.aspx
762 President St (btw. 6th and 7th Ave)
Brooklyn, NY
718-534-6624
Please direct any inquiries about the program to Frankie Barria at fbarria@berkeleycarroll.org.
About: The facilities include a four-lane 25-yard pool and is open to Berkeley Carroll families, alumni, and member of the neighboring community. You can get a Community Swim Pass: $250 per year (for use on Sunday from 2-4 pm only) or a Family Swim Pass: $100 per year (for use on Sunday from 2-4 pm only)
Comments on Berkeley Carroll: The pool is too cold, the instruction is of a high quality, it’s a good place to start a swimmer or for a swimmer that needs extra attention or getting used to the water.

Brooklyn College Pool- Currently CLOSED due to temperature issues

Brooklyn Swim Center
brooklynswimclub@yahoo.com
2240 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(646) 705-3106
About: Classes for toddlers (from 2-5 yrs old), and Children (5-18 yrs old). All levels — from learn to swim to competitive. Private classes also available.  Located on Church Avenue, by B/Q/2/5 trains.

Camp Olympia
http://www.campolympiany.com/
7304 5th Avenue #271
Brooklyn, NY 11209
campolympiany@hotmail.com
718-748-7084
About: This is a specialty sports program for children, teens and adults. They have a swimming program, sports camp and after school program that incorporates a lot of sports. The pool is at John Jay High School.
Comments on Camp Olympia: The water is very warm and nice. The school is very noisy and crowded which can be unbearable at times, the locker room is mediocre. They have a good makeup policy, you can pay per class which is nice if you aren’t sure you want to commit, the price is inexpensive. The instructors were nice.

Bed-Stuyvesant Y
http://www.ymcanyc.org/bedford-stuyvesant/youth/aquatics/beginner-swim-lessons/
1121 Bedford Avenue
(at Monroe Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 789-1497
Comments on Bed-Sty Y: The pool is pretty new (2008), the instruction was poor.  The teacher barely got in the water and offered minimal instruction.  A better option here is the daily family swim time which is usually deserted and free for members.

Dodge Y
http://www.ymcanyc.org/dodge/dodge-home/
225 Atlantic Avenue (between Boerum Pl & Court St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 625-3136
Comments on Dodge Y: The price is reasonable and the instruction is, in general, good.  It is nearly impossible to get into the toddler classes (Perch) unless you are a member. You have to register as soon as they open it up for members to get in.  The infant/ beginning classes are pretty open, and you just pay an additional fee to enroll if you aren’t a member. It isn’t easy to sign up at the Y, you have to wait in a line at registration or membership and no one seems to ever answer their phone.  The pool is pretty warm as well as the locker room and family changing room, so you all can walk comfortably around in bathing suits.  You do need swim caps and the Y sells them downstairs. Their swim caps are great because they aren’t hard rubber and easy for your child to put on. The instructors changed mid-class so there wasn’t any continuity and classes ended early. The pool is on the 2nd floor so it feels bright and airy.  Family swim time is great except they don’t allow you to use swim tools (kickboards, floaties, etc) which inhibits some learning.  The infant classes are basically singalongs with classic nursery rhymes (“Jack Be Nimble”) and include the introduction of pool tools (noodles, kickboards) to help make your child feel comfortable in the water.

Double D Pool (Douglas and DeGraw)
http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/pools#top
3rd Ave and Nevins St
Brooklyn, NY 11226
718-625-3268
About: This small neighborhood fun-spot holds all sorts of sunny day activities for local families. Plentiful picnic tables make space for those eating or relaxing outdoors, while those who’d prefer to run around use the two basketball and four handball courts for more active recreation. In the summer, the adjoining outdoor Douglass-Degraw pool opens up for all the area’s swimmers to enjoy. Free swimming lessons for children ages 6-14 years, 3-5 years like most public swimming pools. For more information go to the site about swimming lessons.
Comments on Double D: They have a kiddie pool and a regular pool.  The staff is friendly. You leave your stroller outside the pool area and the guards (kindof) sit by the strollers, so they are somewhat safe.  Bring your own lock. The kiddie pool is shallow and nice but not heated, although warm on a hot day. There isn’t any shade but a gazebo where you can put your items (sippy cups, suncreen.).  You are only allowed to bring water shoes into the pool area (like most public pools) and swim diapers are required if your child is not potty-trained.  The adult pool is nice too and you can bring your tot in there with you.

Eastern Athletic Club- Prospect Park
http://easternathleticclubs.com/
17 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY
718-789-4600
Comments on EAC in Prospect Heights: The pool is a little cold, if the elevator isn’t working (which seems to happen a lot)- you have to walk all 7 flights up, which isn’t easy with a child. You don’t have to be a member to do the infant swim classes. They are currently not open on Saturdays.

Eastern Athletic Club- Brooklyn Heights
http://easternathleticclubs.com/
43 Clark Street
Brooklyn, NY
718-625-0500
Comments on EAC in Brooklyn Heights: This pool is small and often crowded.  You don’t have to be a member to do the infant swim classes. Judy is the best instructor there. The facilities are drab.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/parks/flushing_meadows_corona_park_pool_rink.html
Avery Avenue and 131 Street
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Flushing, NY 11368
Phone: (718) 271-7572
About: This $66.3-million complex features an Olympic-sized pool and NHL-regulation ice rink. It is the first of its kind in the city and includes ADA-accessible features.  Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool & Rink is the largest recreation complex ever built in a city park at 110,000 square-feet.The Olympic-size indoor public pool, the first to open in New York City in four decades, has an adjustable floor and diving tank for public swim and competitive meets.  The FMCP Aquatic Center offers free and fee-based programs and classes for all ages. The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation presents swimming instruction, senior aerobics, and family swimming. If you are a member of any Parks recreation center and indoor pools anywhere in the five boroughs, your membership grants you access to the FMCP Aquatic Center.
Comments on Flushing: No registration, first come first serve. Very good instructors, lesson is about 45 min ( a bit long for 6 months old ), a clean and beautiful new building but the water is a bit cold. Some babies can tolerate it and some can’t.  The membership is $75 a year for adults or $35 for half a year and kids are free. The class is free.

Greenpoint YMCA
http://www.ymcanyc.org/sub.php?p=about&sp=greenpoint/greenpoint
99 Meserole Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222 (Greenpoint, Williamsburg)
718.389.3700
About: The Greenpoint Y offers an Afterschool Program, swimming classes, karate, ballet, Summer Camp, Sports Leagues, Birthday Party facilities, computer classes, Full and half-day Preschool, Holiday Camps, a Teen Center, Leaders Club, and Youth and Government (the latter both for teens).
Comments on the Greenpoint YMCA: The pool is small and there isn’t much family swim time.

Imagine swimming at LIU
www.imagineswimming.com
http://www.brooklyn.liu.edu/
Imagine Swimming’s Phone number: 212-253-9650

Long Island University Pool, 1 University Plaza
(Ashland between DeKalb & Willoughby)
(Fort Greene)
AND
St Francis College, 180 Remsen St
(between Clinton St and Court St)
view map
(Brooklyn Heights)

About: Imagine has just started to offer lessons at the Long Island University pool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 3pm-5:40pm for children aged between 15 months and 13 years. They have been teaching lessons to children in Manhattan and Brooklyn for over 7 years, and have 10 pools, and over 1,500 children who swim with them currently.  The lessons are age and level specific, with maximum 3-4 children per class.  They try to be very specific how they place children, and even match temperaments of students with teachers.  The Long Island University pool is a brand new, state of the art pool. The Imagine staff features former Olympic swimmers, national champions, world class surfers and singers, along with an international cast of aquatic enthusiasts devoted to passing along the skills of their favorite sport.  Imagine has absorbed the teachings of Reggio Emilia, the Italian educational philosophy that places great respect on children’s imaginations and their interaction with the natural world. Lessons are always 40 minutes long and students are active in the water for the entire duration. Regardless of age, ability, or experience, all lessons maintain a small teacher / student ratio – never greater than 1:4.
Comments on Imagine: The instruction is top-notch and the program is known to be of high quality with great teacher-student ratios. The pool at LIU is beautiful. The instructors are fantastic. We have taken 16 classes so far: our son who is 3.5 years started being afraid of getting water on his face- after 5 lessons he was submerging for rings in the water and after 10 lessons he was jumping off the diving board. The LIU pool is very nice and the locker rooms are well-kept. My only complaint is that don’t let you shower in the locker rooms afterwards- but instead just get dressed in pop-up tents on the pool deck. It’s okay, but I would prefer to wash my kids off after a swim.  The instructors are superb and are all very comfortable with kids. The instructors use lots of props: tables in the water, large kickboards for 3 kids to ride on, lots of diving toys and dumbell floats.

Metropolitan Pool and Recreation Center
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/recreation_centers/view_recreation_center.php?ID=B085
261 Bedford Ave
(between 1st St & 3rd St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-5707
About: The pool is 75′ x 30′ and has free swimming lessons for children ages 6-14 years, 3-5 years like most public swimming pools. For more information go to the site about swimming lessons.
Comments on Metropolitan: The locker room is unclean and smells.  The facility is comprised of narrow hallways and small rooms with bad ventilation.

The Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst

http://www.jchb.org/aquatics/

7802 Bay Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11214
718-331-6800 ext. 113
About: The Swimming Academy holds daily classes for children ages eighteen months to fourteen years of age. The prerequisite for each level is successful demonstration of the skills learned in the preceding level.

Poly Prep School
http://www.polyprep.org/podium/default.aspx?t=123280
Corner of 7th Avenue and 92nd Street
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
718-836-9800 x 3220
About: At the first session of the Monday and Wednesday program, your child’s swimming ability will be reviewed. The instructors will place children in small groups according to their swimming ability and comfort level in the water. Swimming skills will be taught throughout the lessons.  During the Tuesday and Thursday program, all children five years old and under must be accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian) who actively participates in the swimming session. The objective of the parent-child aquatic program is to build a comfort level in the water and learn the basic elements for future success in swimming. For ages 2 year to 16 years.
Comments on Poly Prep: The campus is beautiful and the classes are strong with well-trained instructors. With 30 minute classes twice a week, your child progresses fast. This is a solid program.

Prospect Park YMCA
www.ymcanyc.org/sub.php?p=about&sp=prospect/prospectabout
357 9th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
718-768-7100
Swimming for all levels. You do not have to be a member.
Comments on Prospect Park YMCA: The water is pretty warm, the classes are crowded so there isn’t much individual instruction, but doing a private class or semi-private can be helpful to helping your child progress in her swimming.

Red Hook Pool
http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/B126
155 Bay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Comments on Red Hook Pool: It seems like it isn’t a “class” per se, just an open time for caregivers and kids in the pool. They have a bunch of floaties and things out but you do have the whole pool to yourselves and get to interact with other families.

Shorefront Y Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy of Brighton Beach- Manhattan Beach
http://www.shorefronty.org/index.aspx?page=1
3300 Coney Island Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11235
718-646-1444 ext. 412
Comments on Shorefront Y: The classes are good. The parking is very limited.

Swim Strong
http://www.theswimstrongfoundation.org/
http://www.theswimstrongfoundation.org/SSFPrograms.html
Held at St. Francis College right off of Court Street in Brooklyn Heights
180 Remsen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-4398
(718) 489-5200
Fees for Development program are $265 and for Competitive Program are $300.  They run three programs per year.

Related Posts:

1. Don’t Close the Double D Pool! (June 7th, 2010)
2. A day trip to Hersey Park, PA from Brooklyn (May 9th, 2010)
3. My favorite art class in Brooklyn (April 6th, 2010)
4. Pools Open on Saturday (June 24th, 2009)
5. Brooklyn’s Swimming Pools (April 24th, 2009)