About
Start Swimming offers one-on-one ISR Lessons that include Rollback to Float, Swim Float Swim, Maintenance, and Refreshers. It also offers Swim Safe 20-Minute Lessons for children ages 4 to 7, with work on breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle, and floating. Lessons are held Monday through Friday.
Programs
- ISR Lessons — 8 months to 6 years; Infants + Young Toddlers ages 12mo - 24mo; children ages 8-month-olds to 6-year-olds · Mon-Fri, 10 minutes each day for approximately 6 weeks · One-on-one self-rescue lessons. Includes Rollback to Float, Swim Float Swim, Maintenance, and Refreshers.
- Maintenance Lessons — Returning students previously skilled in Maintenance · 1-3 one time, pay-as-you-go lessons per week when available; every child is different and might only need 1-2 lessons per month · For fine-tuning skills or preventing problems with technique for returning families only.
- Refresher Lessons — Returning families only · Mon-Fri, 10 minutes each day for three weeks; highly recommended every 3-6 months; offered on at least an annual basis · Condensed version of initial lessons to adjust previously mastered skills to a growing body.
- Swim Safe 20-Minute Lessons — 4yo-7yo · Varies; some lessons are 4 days per week (M-Th) for four weeks; 3 days per week (M/W/F) or 2 days per week (T/Th) for six weeks · For students with some swim background; focuses on breast, back, freestyle, and floating. These are not Infant Swimming Resource lessons.
At a glance
- Ages: 0–7 years old
- General schedule: Lessons are held at privately owned, heated outdoor pools between January and November. Available lesson times are consistently 1:30pm - 6:30pm, and sometimes 10am - 12:30pm. Lessons are taught five days per week, Monday-Friday.
About the provider
The program says it is helping infants and young children learn life-saving Self-Rescue techniques, and it describes itself as the safest provider of survival swimming lessons for children 12 months to 6 years of age. The leadership team references Instructor Tay, and the site says, "I reside in Santa Cruz" and "get started ISR with Tay."
No weekend classes. Early morning lessons are unavailable on a consistent basis. Private lessons start at $750/week/student and may incur an additional travel fee. Host families get free lessons for their kiddos and preferred timeslots. Parents are preferred to get in the water after the child is fully skilled or has developed enough of a trusting relationship with the instructor.
What families say
“Tay is incredible! Her demeanor with my kids inspired confidence immediately. She’s fun, but firm... a critical balance when it comes to young kids!” — Stephanie H.
“I can honestly say that my son is alive because of what ISR taught him and for that I will be eternally grateful.” — A. H.
Last updated September 14, 2026.
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