Citywide Aquatics Youth Programs

Citywide Aquatics Youth Programs include a Junior Lifeguard Pool Program, an Open Water Junior Lifeguard Program, Youth Surfing, Youth Kayaking, Camp Splash, and swim lessons. Participants take part in activities such as lifeguard skills, water safety, CPR, first aid, emergency response, snorkeling, small crafts, assisting in teaching swim lessons, lectures, workouts, competitions, field trips, open water swimming, distance running, sand running, standup paddling, prone paddling, kayaking, identification of hazards at the beach and in the water, body surfing, paddling in and around the surf zone, popping up (surfing), identifying parts of a kayak, launching a kayak, basic navigation skills, introduction to knot tying, steering and paddling safety, paddling in an open water environment, team building exercises, small group swim lessons, water group activities and games, arts and crafts, water safety lessons, and team building.

• Ages: 7–17 years old
• Schedule: Camp Splash runs Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Youth Surfing transportation pick-up begins at 7:00 AM with an estimated beach time from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and return to the pick-up site by 3:00 PM.

The Pool Junior Lifeguard Program and the Open Water Junior Lifeguard Program are offered to youth aged 9 through 17, and Junior Lifeguard participants receive a uniform and a participation award at the end of the season. Open Water Junior Lifeguard tryouts are held before the start of the season, and open water junior lifeguard sites include Cabrillo Beach and Hansen Dam. The Youth Surfing program is for ages 9–17 who can swim 100 yards prior to registration, and all necessary equipment is provided, including surfboards, wetsuits, rash guards, T-shirts, and shorts, with transportation to and from the beach available if needed. Youth Kayaking participants receive all necessary equipment, including a kayak, life vest, oars, and T-shirt, and transportation to and from the assigned location may be provided if needed. Camp Splash is for ages 7–12, requires no prior swimming skills, and is for participants who love the water, with daily small group swim lessons, water group activities and games, water safety lessons, arts and crafts, biweekly field trips, and team building, and qualifying locations provide lunch.

The City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department Aquatics Division states that it offers families and community members many healthy, affordable, and safe aquatic activities at public pools, lakes, and beaches. The Aquatics Division operates 28 seasonal swimming pools, 26 year-round swimming pools, and 3 camp pools, and the city operates 11 open water facilities that are open year round, offering fishing, paddle boating, and small craft programs. All City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks swimming pools follow the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Title 22-Section 65529 regulations, including regular on-site testing and monitoring of the pool water purification system, pH, and free chlorine residuals. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, provides reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities, and persons with disabilities are welcome to participate in programs and classes with a request for accommodations at least 72 hours before the program or class. In 2025, the Aquatics Division recorded 18,148 youth lesson registrations, 2,561 adult lesson registrations, and 508 adaptive lesson registrations, along with 96 pool rescues, 83 open water rescues, and 35,550 preventative actions in open water, and youth program statistics included 4,953 overall registrations, 3,731 team sports registrations, and 50 team sports meets.

Last updated June 30, 2026.