About
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools offers swimming lessons using a child development-centered curriculum in an AQUATIC CLASSROOM® environment. The program includes free swim lessons for babies 2–5 months and uses a developmental aquatic program that emphasizes a balance between love and discipline. Families find sparkling clean pools and family-friendly facilities at La Petite Baleen Swim Schools locations.
• Ages: 0–17 years old
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools has been providing award-winning swimming lessons in the Bay Area since 1979. The program began in the backyard pool of co-founders John Kolbisen and Irene Madrid’s Half Moon Bay home in 1979. La Petite Baleen’s motto is “Pace, Pattern, Compassion, and Fun!” and the curriculum is focused on water safety awareness within an Aquatic Classroom® environment for learning, safety, and fun.
The program uses a ribbon level system for its AQUATIC CLASSROOM® program and offers progress reports, phone conferences, and newsletters to educate and inform parents. Students learn emotional skills such as listening to and following directions, social interaction and teamwork, respect for oneself and others, overcoming obstacles, and facing fears. Teachers are highly trained to read body language and open up the line of communication with their students.
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools has highly trained teachers and a leadership team that includes co-founder Irene Madrid, who wrote “Wiggle-butts & Up-faces: A Child’s Primer for Beginning Swimming,” published in 1989. The team is dedicated to offering ideal swim instruction, good customer service, community building, and having fun.
Parent feedback includes comments such as having “an exceptional experience” with patient and kind instruction and clean, welcoming facilities, as described by Molly H. Another parent, Yadira D., shared that her daughter began swimming at La Petite Baleen Swim Schools at 2 months old and described a strong foundation in water safety and family bonding through caring, interactive instruction. Divya K. described the instruction and community as “incredible” and noted that the foundational skills her child built there will stay with her wherever she goes.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
• Ages: 0–17 years old
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools has been providing award-winning swimming lessons in the Bay Area since 1979. The program began in the backyard pool of co-founders John Kolbisen and Irene Madrid’s Half Moon Bay home in 1979. La Petite Baleen’s motto is “Pace, Pattern, Compassion, and Fun!” and the curriculum is focused on water safety awareness within an Aquatic Classroom® environment for learning, safety, and fun.
The program uses a ribbon level system for its AQUATIC CLASSROOM® program and offers progress reports, phone conferences, and newsletters to educate and inform parents. Students learn emotional skills such as listening to and following directions, social interaction and teamwork, respect for oneself and others, overcoming obstacles, and facing fears. Teachers are highly trained to read body language and open up the line of communication with their students.
La Petite Baleen Swim Schools has highly trained teachers and a leadership team that includes co-founder Irene Madrid, who wrote “Wiggle-butts & Up-faces: A Child’s Primer for Beginning Swimming,” published in 1989. The team is dedicated to offering ideal swim instruction, good customer service, community building, and having fun.
Parent feedback includes comments such as having “an exceptional experience” with patient and kind instruction and clean, welcoming facilities, as described by Molly H. Another parent, Yadira D., shared that her daughter began swimming at La Petite Baleen Swim Schools at 2 months old and described a strong foundation in water safety and family bonding through caring, interactive instruction. Divya K. described the instruction and community as “incredible” and noted that the foundational skills her child built there will stay with her wherever she goes.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
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